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Old car rallies – a phenomenon of the Polish summer
Historic car rallies and races have been a phenomenon in our country for years. The community of classic car owners and enthusiasts is growing every year. Is this due to a growing feeling for this type of vehicle? Or perhaps it is the influence of the younger generation, who are more and more willing to see the beauty in vintage machines.
Meetings of old-timer enthusiasts came to a head as early as the 1990s, when owning an old car began to take on a whole new meaning. Similar events took place in the country in the distant past, albeit rather sporadically. They consisted of rallies and vintage car elegance competitions, where you could see mainly pre-war and post-war cars. In the West, in Germany or the United States, where numerous museums and vintage car dealerships have sprung up, the retro style came into vogue much more quickly.
After 1989, when foreign cars were imported into Poland en masse, Polish and Western cars that had been in the country for years began to be replaced by new ones. It was a time when many great classics were irretrievably sent to the steelworks. Fortunately, among the people chasing luxury in the form of electric windows or air conditioning, there were many classic car enthusiasts who decided to collect archaic vehicles for the proverbial few pennies. For some, restoring such vehicles quickly became an escape from everyday life. Others devoted their lives to it, setting up specialist workshops to restore technical relics. These activities have had a significant impact on the number of vintage cars being scrapped, previously considered to be mostly worthless junk.
Classics – the Polish People’s Republic or the West?
The range of classic cars available on the Internet has kept many enthusiasts up all night searching for their dream car. For years, German cars, with Mercedes-Benz at the forefront, have been a popular choice. Luxury, comfort and above-average durability are some of the main qualities that are often decisive when buying such cars. Alongside the many classics from Italy, France and the United States, it is impossible to ignore the machines from the Polish People’s Republic at the classic car rallies held in Poland.
Although it may seem that the boom in Maluch, Duży Fiat and Polonez cars, which began about a dozen years ago, has come to an end, you still have to pay a lot for such cars in their original factory condition. We are mainly talking about the older members of this group, such as the early models of FSO Warszawa and Syrena. Exotic in this respect are also licensed models of Italian Fiats, such as the 127p and 132p, which, apart from minor changes to the original, were a real breath of fresh air from behind the Iron Curtain.
Young-timers trend
In recent years, we have seen a marked increase in interest in young-timers or 'young classics’. In many cases, they are the younger generation’s ticket to the world of classic cars. The Mercedes W124/W201, the Volkswagen Golf II, the Mazda 323F or the Audi 80 B3 are currently the only strong representatives in this category. In addition to the relatively affordable price of the entry-level models, these cars still convey the style and atmosphere of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their above-average reliability is reflected in the fact that many owners use them for everyday driving, as these cars are also a great way to stand out from the crowd. After all, who doesn’t want to stand out?
Great meeting place for enthusiasts
Vintage car events, usually held in the spring and summer, are the perfect place to make new friends. Besides sentimental conversations in good company, visitors to such events can expand their existing contacts with garages and workshops that specialise in a particular make and the complete restoration of such cars. The rallies are also an excellent opportunity to take a closer look at the vehicles we are considering buying. Sometimes some of the cars on display at the rallies are available for immediate purchase, which can be an added incentive.
Participants in rallies, spots and races of historic vehicles can often try their hand at competitive driving and many other attractions prepared by the organisers of such events. These are often tours in a large convoy of classic cars, intending to visit interesting places in the region – such as castles, museums and other cultural sites. It is also an opportunity to win competitions for the best car in the rally, where votes are mainly cast by visitors. These events are often accompanied by good music and food – essential for events lasting several hours.
Current trends in rallies
The large number of classic car rallies organised in Poland makes buying a vintage car very affordable. Whether you own a car worth 10, 50 or 100 thousand zlotys, what counts is the good atmosphere among lovers of old cars. There is also a noticeable increase in interest in events for owners of future classics and 'junk cars’. Owners of classic cars are paying more and more attention to the originality of their cars. Patinated elements of a yellowed clock face, slightly tarnished chrome or tarnished dealer stickers on the rear window are in many cases highly desirable.
Text: Marcin Zachariasz
Photos: Krystian Tomala, Ryszard Gargul
KlassikAuto.pl
Source: DlaPolonii.pl
