A Car Week For Europe
St. Moritz. Until 1925, automobiles were still forbidden on the dusty roads of the Upper Engadine. The then boss of Shell felt disturbed by the dust kicked up by the early motorists playing golf in St. Moritz and without further ado had the first road between Samedan and Pontresina tarred, which is why the road was henceforth called Shellstrasse. Only a few years later, in 1929, the International St. Moritz Automobile Week was launched, following the enthusiasm for mobility and in order to attract tourists. The series of events consisted of a kilometer race on the aforementioned Shellstrasse, a beauty contest in front of the Kurhaus (today the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains), skill drives, and a rally. The crowning finale of the St. Moritz Automobile Week was the Bernina Race. Won in 1929 by Hans Stuck on Austro Daimler and in 1930 by Chiron on Bugatti. Top-class drivers were at the start! The calculation worked out, the recreation seekers came in ever greater numbers, the rest is high-society history. It was also possible to draw on the fame of the 1928 Winter Olympics. But it still took until 2015 for a small group around the collector, patron and motorsport enthusiast Kurt Alexander Engelhorn to really revive the Bernina Race. “Imagine if the Mille Miglia and the Goodwood Festival of Speed had a child in the Swiss Alps”. The Bernina Gran Turismo, the new name of the traditional event, soon gained international cult status. On numerous platforms, such as Petrolicious, people praised “The Bernina Gran Turismo is the best event I’ve been to all year” or “Imagine if the Mille Miglia and Goodwood’s Festival of Speed had a baby in the Swiss Alps.” Even Forbes magazine spoke of the “World’s Most Beautiful Vintage Racing Competition” and thus contributed to the good reputation of the race. Last but not least, it was the great cooperation with St. Moritz that allowed the event to grow steadily. From the beginning, the field of participants was limited to 80 cars. Naturally, the organizers had the idea early on to revive not only the Bernina Race, but rather the entire Automobile Week. In the pandemic year 2020, most events were postponed or cancelled altogether, the “BGT” took place undisturbed. And in the second Corona year, it was even joined by two other events: Kilomètre Lancé – Alpine 1000 and Motorsport Rendezvous.
There are many “repeat offenders” and also the really big names of the scene are always there. But apart from racers like Striezel Stuck, Arthurio Merzario, Stefan Johannson or Andy Wallace, it’s the enthusiasts from all parts of the world who make this event endearing, exclusive and worth experiencing. So why not become a part of it whilst the entry lists for 2022 are still open! A car week to take part in The International St. Moritz Automobile Week has what it takes to become a small “Monterey Car Week” in the heart of Europe. An automobile week that offers you the opportunity to be an active part of it. You can simply hop into your own classic car, motorcycle or sports car at home, enjoy the drive along one of the wonderful roads that lead to St. Moritz and you are there – as an active member of the multi-layered community that makes up this hobby. The highlight of the St. Moritz summer season also offers spectators the desired amenities of the famous resort. One is welcomed in St. Moritz, is a guest of friends and can find among like-minded people the historical mobility as a cultural asset worth preserving. Some will participate in an event, some “only” watch. But everyone is an active part of the whole.
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Historique!
It was fabulous to be in Europe last month for a couple of big motoring events including the 13th edition of the Monaco Grand Prix Historique run under the auspices of the Automobile Club de Monaco. On the same track as the F1 Grand Prix a few weeks later, which is still 80% the same as used in 1929, it really is a fantastic event, which I hope I show in this small selection of my photographs…
Another Exhibition
Further to my Christmas Photographic Exhibition last year, a selection of my images can now be seen at the venerable Royal Automobile Club of Australia. It is Members only, so herewith a couple of my best images from my car and boat travels to share. And talking of car travels this month I will be at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix and then the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como.
Automobilwoche 2022
As an international ambassador for the Bernina Gran Tursimo hill climb, part of Internationale St Moritzer Automobilwoche, it gives me much pleasure to share the full week’s happenings due to take place 2 -11 September. There truly is something for everyone to enjoy as long as you like classic motor vehicles! For further details and registration please go to http://www.i-s-a-w.com.
TFA 2022
I recently completed the Targa Florio Australia 2022 and what a fabulous event it was. Nearly 1,000km over four days on the beautiful country roads of Victoria culminating with hot laps at the Albert Park Grand Prix track prior to the Australian F1 GP!
Thank you to Clive Massel at Makulu Vehicle Storage (https://makulu.com.au ) for lending me not one but two fantastic classic BMW legends to drive.
To register for the next edition set to take place in the Victorian Alps in 2023 where the mountain roads will add a new chapter to the event go to https://targaflorioaus.com
Come rain or shine!
THE 4TH SYDNEY HARBOUR CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE. 3-5 March 2022
Despite an eleventh-hour change of venue, of necessity due to unavoidable circumstances, and the Australian continent experiencing what one politican described as a “one-in-1,000-year event” with torrential rain and floods swamping the eastern seabord, the 4th edition of the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance took place at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks, in the heart of the harbour City.
With the grey clouds still hovering ominously over the Welcome Drinks at 7pm on Thursday 3rd March the atmosphere was one or relief and excitement that everyone and the cars had actually made it, and that the show would go on despite the odd shower or two. Opening the Concours gates at 10 am on Friday 4th there seemed to be no dampening of the spirits of the guests who were happy to look at the marvellous array of motor cars, even if they were holding a glass of Pommery champagne in one hand and an umbrella in the other. Beautiful motor cars, good food, live music and fine wine meant that the party continued for a full 12 hours before the last of the invited guests were ushered home at 10pm!
The competition amongst the classes to be judged was intense. The pre-war class entitled “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and consisting of a Vauxhall 30/98, Bentley 3 litre Speed Model, Rolls-Royce New Phantom, Rolls-Royce 20/25 HP, and an Alfa Romeo 6C 2300MM was one of the most contested and committed as were the owners who had ensured their cars would be present come hell or high water. This was literally the case of the Vauxhall which had been driven halfway to the event from Melbourne, 1000kms away, before the owner succumbing to the conditions and putting it in a truck at 2am in the morning and then following on by train to arrive 72 hours after his departure!
The Head of the Jury, all of which were dressed by official tailors Oscar Hunt, had had almost as much trouble. Filip Bourgoo the man behind the amazing Zoute Grand Prix Week, awarded the ‘Best Motoring Event of the Year 2021’, had travelled from Belgium to be Chief Judge. Despite applying for his visa back in early January it only came through on the Saturday before the event! Even then when leaving Doha for the second leg of the journey from Europe to the Big Southern Land his plane had to return to the terminal. He eventually arrived undaunted which was not the case of fellow judge Madan Mohan, founder of India’s 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours, who was unable to secure entry.
Saturday 5th proved more clement, and awnings and coverings were able to come down in order that everyone could fully experience the cars complemented by the extraordinary living record of early colonial Australia which is Hyde Park Barracks built in 1819. A brace of Mercedes-Benz 300 SL roadsters, and a Gullwing, Aston Martin DB5 and DB6, the Ferrari 275 GTB/4 originally owned by jazz musician Miles Davis, and the incredible Edwardian Giant, 1904 Napier L48 ‘Samson’ amongst the 37 selected concours entries.
And then in the evening on to the Royal Automobile Club of Australia for the Pommery Champagne Gala Awards Dinner and to the victors the spoils. The Prix d’Honneur for Best in Show going to the 1924 Vauxhall 30/98 Chassis #OE1078. The only surviving competition car of the Vauxhall factory of this period, it was presented by Vauxhall to record breaking motorist Boyd Edkins in 1924 for his special service. Sporting a Wensum boat tail body and uniquely designed for competition it is regarded as one of the rarest vintage race cars in existence. In the possession of the current owner for over two decades it is the first time that either he or the car has ever been shown at a Concours event.
2022 SYDNEY HARBOUR CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE CLASS WINNERS
CLASS 1 – SUPER LEICHT
1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL
CLASS 2 – PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ
1928 ROLLS-ROYCE NEW PHANTOM IMPERIAL CABRIOLET
CLASS 3 – ACTION MAN
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 SPLIT WINDOW COUPÉ
CLASS 4 – ITALIAN AUTOMOTIVE JEWELS
1967 FERRARI 275 GTB/4
CLASS 5 – CONVERTIBLES OF THE ‘50S
1957 BUCHANAN
CLASS 6 – COUPÉS FROM THE KINGDOM
1997 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL R
CLASS 7 – SUPER DUPER
1904 NAPIER L48 SAMSON
CURATOR’S AWARD
1927 BENTLEY 3 LITRE SPEED MODEL
PRIX D’ORÉ
1971 MERCEDES-BENZ 280 SL
BEST RESTORATION
1970 MASERATI GHIBLI 4.7 LITRE COUPÉ
PASSION AWARD
1932 ROLLS-ROYCE 20/25HP BY FREESTONE & WEBB
PRESERVATION AWARD
1938 ALFA ROMEO 6C 2300 MILLE MIGLIA SPIDER
MOST INNOVATIVE CAR
2015 VOLKSWAGEN XL1 COUPÉ
WOMEN’S CHOICE
1965 ASTON MARTIN DB5
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
1967 MASERATI GRAN TURISMO 3700 GTI ‘SEBRING’
PRIX D’HONNEUR FOR THE BEST IN SHOW
1924 VAUXHALL TOURER 30/98 #OE1078
New Location!
Due to a variety of circumstances it has been necessary to move the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance from the amazing grounds of Swifts to a different, but no less stunning locale. The 4th edition of the Concours d’Elegance will now take place at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site in the historic heart of the Harbour City. The Hyde Park Barracks is an extraordinary living record of early colonial Australia, and one of the oldest buildings in Sydney, built between 1817-19. It is perfectly suited for the task and will provide a stunning backdrop for some of the finest cars on the planet and is a fitting new home to continue the legacy of the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance, which was a Concours Event of the Year Finalist at the international Historic Motoring Awards held in London last November.
To secure your tickets for what should prove to be an amazing couple of days please go to https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2022-axa-sydney-harbour-concours-delegance-tickets-171687952287
Samson getting stronger!
The excitement around the forthcoming auction of Important Motor Cars & Objets Lux is getting stronger as is evidenced by this recent article in the Australian Financial Review, Life and Leisure section, which focused on the incredible 1904 Napier L48 Samson, one of the 14 super lots being offered by Halcyon Auctions at the forthcoming Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance
To find out more and to register to bid https://bid.halcyonauctions.com
Lux
Further to the announcement of the seven motor cars to be offered at the Sale of Important Motor Cars & Objets Lux taking place on Friday 4th March at Swifts in Darling Point, Sydney, the full catalogue is now available on line at https://halcyonauctions.com/auctions/forthcoming/
Alongside the incredible Edwardian Giant, the 1904 Napier L48 ‘Samson’ which set a world land speed record of 104.64 mph on Daytona Beach, Florida in 1905, and the other motor cars offered, are some amazing luxury item pieces from Hermès, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton.
Download the free app, Halcyon Auctions at the App Store, or further information, to register to bid, or to request an e-flipbook catalogue please contact james@halcyonauctions.com
Auction of important motor cars and objets lux
Following the success of the auction of the fabulous 1961 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale for $733,225 at the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance in March 2021, I am pleased to announce that at the 4th edition of the Concours at Swifts in Darling Point, Sydney, that Halcyon Auctions (http://www.halcyonauctions.com) will be conducting another auction of important motor cars and luxury travel goods on the evening of Friday 4th March.
Whilst 2021 saw the auction of just the single lot, the 2022 auction has been expanded to seven motor cars and a selection of especially chosen luxury hand bags.
The motor cars being offered are as follows; 1957 Lagonda DB 3 Litre Saloon; 1972 Citroën SM; 1966 Mini Cooper S; 1962 Alvis TD 21 dhc; 1965 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL; 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV; and the star of the show the Edwardian Giant, the 1904 Napier L48 ‘Samson’ (picture above)which amongst many other records in January 1905 set a world land speed record of 104.65 mph on Daytona Beach in Florida.
To request a catalogue of all of the lots being offered for sale please contact james@halcyonauctions.com
