"The area of the Catrina vacation resort in Disentis with the piazza, the large parking lot terrace and the two underground parking levels is perfect for events like the Surselva classic car meeting," said organizers Marco Pilloud, Manuel Reichenbach and Helmut Widera from the "Oldtimerland Graubünden" association. Instead of Surrein, the meeting was held in Disentis for the first time in 2023.
With the active support of 15 volunteers, the three gentlemen succeeded in organizing a wonderful meeting that warmed the hearts of every classic car fan - and not just because of the extraordinary heat.
On August 20, 2023, the faces of the more than 220 drivers shone in competition with the car bodies, which almost sparkled like diamonds in the sun. The fascinating shapes and colors of the classic cars attracted the attention of around 1000 visitors from near and far. "It was a great success, we are delighted with the new location and there were some rarities on display that you hardly ever get to see anywhere else," says Reichenbach.
Jacques Cornu came by microcar
At 920 km to Disentis, Harold van Erwen from Holland had the longest journey. He did this in his Toyota Celica and was honored in Disentis with a mountain crystal for the longest journey. The special guests from the "Rollermobilclub" of Switzerland received a challenge prize. They also took part in the excursion on Saturday with their microcars. This took the drivers from Trun via Ilanz to Vals and back.
Jacques Cornu, one of the most successful and best-known Swiss motorcycle racers, also took part with his microcar. Cornu was in good spirits, despite having a small breakdown with his microcar on the way to Vals. He then wanted to take part in the joint drive on Sunday and was clearly able to enjoy it. In Manuel Reichenbach's Austin-Healey, he joined the "queue" of around 50 classic cars taking part.
A feeling of freedom
As hotelier Manuel Reichenbach and garage owner Helmut Widera explained after the meeting, they hardly had time to admire all the classic cars themselves. They are overjoyed to be able to look back on a successful event at which the culture of the automobile was really celebrated.
Both Reichenbach and Widera were born with a love of classic cars. Both were allowed to drive along with their fathers as young boys and will never forget these moments. For Manuel Reichenbach it was his father's Volvo, which he still owns today, and for Helmut Widera it was a Ford Mustang, which he is currently restoring. Trips in a classic car are - as the Grisons hotelier emphasizes - quite "patgific": "You can sit in the car and enjoy the surroundings, hear the sound of the engine, feel the mechanics and simply enjoy and relax. It all gives me a feeling of freedom."
This special feeling is probably exactly what united all those present at the Oldtimer Treffen Surselva.
On Sunday evening, the organizers were happy that everything went off without any major incidents. But by Monday, the "engine" in their hearts was burning again and they were looking forward to the next edition of the Oldtimer-Treffen Surselva. This is planned for August 18, 2024 in Disentis at the Catrina resort.
