A Trip down Memory Lane

The 14th International Concours d’Elegance was held from 31^st August to 2^nd September 2018 in Schwetzingen Palace Gardens (near Heidelberg / Mannheim). Some 21,000 enthusiasts from throughout Germany and further afield attended what is one of Europe’s iconic classic car events - dedicated to the preservation, protection and promotion of historic vehicles and related culture. Organisers were Johannes Hübner of autoconsult and Wolfgang Gauf of 4C.

Photo: Rolls Royce Silver Ghost 1913 © Dr. Patrick Patridge

A collection of 160 classic cars dating from 1890 to ca. 1990 was on display. Owners and museum curators were available on the spot to answer visitors’ questions and to talk about individual cars’ provenance and mechanics. All in all a veritable ‘Trip down Memory Lane’, a fundus for photographers and a great day out for aficionados, families and interested tour groups alike.

Photo: Ford T-Model Taxibus 1929 © Dr. Patrick Patridge

The remarkable and finely polished exhibits - displayed throughout the spacious, baroque and well-tended palatial park - were kindly provided by museums, clubs and collectors, including the Adler Club, ASC, Bently & Rolls Royce Touring Club, BMW Veterans, Corvette Club, Jaguar Friends, Mercedes-Benz IG, Old-Ford Friends, Silberhorn Classic and Stoewer Museum.

Photo: Benz Victoria Tourer 1893 (left) and Benz Velo 1896 (right) © Dr. Patrick Patridge

Many visitors couldn’t help but being drawn back to their early lives and childhoods with vivid memories of classic cars driving along city streets or blazing a black-and-white trail in Laurel & Hardy adventures or Hollywood gangster movies. More than ninety trophies and prizes were awarded to winners in different Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) classes and period groups.

Photo: Talbot London 1934 © Dr. Patrick Patridge

Highlights included parades of micro-cars and of Rolls Royce limousines. A US-Classic Car Concours provided an eye-opening ‘American Way of Life’ feeling, with Buicks, Dodges and Ford Mustangs, 1950s atmosphere, swing music and Elvis Presley shows. Tasty food was served in the Schloss Restaurant in the stunning Northern Circle Building while hits from the 1920s to 1950s were performed live by ‘The Strangers’ jazz ensemble.

Photo: Lincoln Continental Mark V coupé 1979 © H. Patridge

A party from the Touristik-Stammtisch Frankfurt am Main led by Mr. Klaus-Peter Kaiser attended an informal get-together and welcome reception addressed by RDA International Coach Tourism Federation CEO, Dieter Gauf.

Photo: Touristik-Stammtisch Frankfurt am Main © Ulli Gauf

Further information:

http://www.classic-gala.de

https://www.schloss-schwetzingen.de/en/home/

http://www.fiva.org/

https://www.rda.de/en/

http://www.frankfurter-touristik-stammtisch.de/

Photo: Dodge D 24S Fluiddrive 1947 © H. Patridge

© Dr. Patrick Patridge - https://www.patrick-patridge.com