In August 2014 the „Classic Days” were celebrated at Schloss Dyck in the Rhineland for the 9th time. Regarding both quality and quantity of the historic vehicles that were presented in different categories such as Racing Legends, Jewels in the Park, Lovely Heroes, Nostalgic Journeys, Stars & Stripes, Charme & Style, this event is probably second to none in Germany.
The particular atmosphere of the event is not least due to the vast and splendid English garden which surrounds the impressive moated castle and provides the perfect stage for a spectacular gathering of most diverse classic cars as well as a highly regarded Concours d’Elegance. Many of the vehicles that could be admired on the castle grounds are rarely presented elsewhere. A lot of these fine and often famous cars are also presented on a “racing circuit” which gives visitors the rare opportunity to experience whole packs of pre-war Alfas, BMWs, and Mercedes “in action”.
The whole event – which traditionally takes place from Friday to Sunday – is the perfect amalgam of motor racing, beauty, and elegance. It enables joyful encounters between enthusiasts, collectors, and professionals from the world of historic motoring. A huge picnic area along one of the marvellous alleys adds to the relaxed atmosphere and many participants actually spend most of the day in the shade of the majestic old trees watching vintage Bugattis, classic Jaguars, or 1970s Porsches on their way from the paddocks to the racing circuit.
One of the highlights of last year’s event was the “Jewels in the Park” exhibition which comprised several of the world’s most spectacular concours cars. The award “Best of Show” went to a Pininfarina bodied Lancia Astura convertible from 1939. Second came a Mercedes Benz 380 K designed by Erdmann & Rossi in 1933. Among the winners within the different concours categories were an OM 665 SSMM Compressore Spider built in 1931, a Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Convertible by Veth & Zoon from 1936, a 1923 Duesenberg Model “A”, a Packard Super Eight 1004 Victoria Convertible built in 1933, an Alfa Romeo 6C2500S Convertible from 1947, a 1957 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Coupé, a Fiat Simca 8 Sport Grolleau Deho Barquetta from 1938, a Vignale bodied Maserati 3500 GT Spyder built in 1963, a Alfa Romeo Super Sprint built by Zagato in 1955, and a Ferrari 500 Mondial Series II from 1955.
This impressive list gives proof that the Classic Days at Schloss Dyck have established themselves among the finest events of its kind and attracts increasing number of participants from all across Europe. This is also true for a very special group of visitors from the U.K. – the members of the eccentric Benjafield Racing club who grace the Classic Days at Schloss Dyck with their marvellous Cricklewood Bentleys each year.
Source: Michael Schlenger
More pictures from previous editions of this event can be found under: Impressionen Classic Days Schloss Dyck.