Zug, 03.06.2019

Pearls from a past era

Around 1000 finely polished cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles shone under the early summer sun yesterday, as this year's Oldtimer Sunday Morning meeting (OSMT) was officially opened at 9.30 am on the Stierenmarktareal (cattle market site) in Zug. An interested public turned out in droves to admire the pearls from the distant past.

Particular attention was given to a Ford T, built in 1909. Emil Weibel (73) from Mettmenstetten, the owner of this showpiece, which has a top speed of 75 kilometres per hour, explained with visible pride how the vehicle he bought about 30 years ago in a run-down condition in England for about 20,000 Swiss francs was custom-made, and is thereby unique.  After countless hours of restoration work, the vehicle now has a six-figure collector’s value. His Ford T is the oldest car to be seen at the OSMT in Zug.

The bright red Chevrolet Impala Cabriolet, built in 1960, also made a great impression. Its owner, Ernst Beer (80) from Opfikon / Glattbrugg, said with shining eyes: "My Chevi, which I bought from a private person for about 50,000 francs about ten years ago, still has not a single rust stain. Its value has doubled in the meantime. But as long as I can and may drive, I won’t be selling my pearl. "

Attracted admiring glances: the Ford T, built in 1909.Picture: PD

Gregor Strasser (63) from Rotkreuz, who raptly went from one vehicle to another, revealed: "The classic car meeting awakens memories in me. Many of these vehicles fascinated me when they drove past me many years ago. I've driven some of them myself." He still has a valid driver's license, but he has not been driving since 2009, says Strasser. "Although I still remained a car fan."

The accordionist Heinz Baumgartner (74), who, like the country band Saddlery & The Hobos provided musical entertainment on the grounds and in the packed marquee, considered Strasser's words with an understanding smile. Robert Hümbeli from Cham, who had his hands full as OC President, said: "The Subaru exhibition from the Garage Binzegger in Baar, with which it is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a Subaru partner, is particularly noteworthy. I am also pleased that the Porsche 928 Friends of Switzerland and the Alpine Club Regional are our guests." There was also the opportunity to network in the legendary, old-fashioned wheel bar, in the exhibition and in the marquee, added Hümbeli.