Packard - almost forgotten US classics on the road
09/11/2020
Every year, a member of Packardclub Switzerland organizes a 2-day trip, and on 5 and 6 September 2020 it was time again. This year, the "Packard33" fire department club from Richterswil was responsible for the trip.
Fourteen wonderful vintage Packard cars from 1928 to 1953, three of which were fire department vehicles and a 16-cylinder Cadillac from 1939, met up on Saturday in the summery autumn weather. Some of the participants had considerable distances to travel, e.g. from Biel, Solothurn, Muttenz, Rheinfelden, Schaffhausen, etc.
The 2-day trip began in the "Oldie Barn" in Mühlau (AG) with a welcome from the club president Walter Riesen over coffee and croissants, followed by a guided tour of the museum.
The first leg of the journey led via Kappel and over the Hirzel to Samstagern for a barbecue at the Weberrüti farm. The journey then continued via Hütten and Schönenberg to the wine-growing museum in Au, followed by an aperitif. We then took the Seestrasse to Rüschlikon. After parking, we checked into our rooms and enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Hotel Belvoir with a fantastic view over Lake Zurich.
The weather was overcast on Sunday, but at least it didn't rain. The oldies mastered the Albis Pass without any problems and continued via Hausen to Knonau. There they were able to visit Knonau Monastery with a knowledgeable guide and admire the monastery garden. The journey continued via Mettmenstetten to the Restaurant Reussbrücke in Ottenbach. Over a shared lunch, the group enjoyed a chat about their favorite cars and cultivated their camaraderie. Afterwards, it was time to say goodbye and travel home individually.
The Packard Club Switzerland has around 50 members, who together own around 100 vehicles of the US brand Packard. Among them are five fire engines.
