Swiss elegance

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Switzerland is a funny country. With motor sports banned from it after the 1955 Le Mans disaster there were no races for a very long time. We think that has stopped now, although we’re not sure. Feel free to explain. In the meantime the Swiss brought forth Clay Regazzoni and Jo Siffert, while Michael Schumacher, Nick Heidfeld, Kimi Räikkönen, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Sébastien Loeb and Sebastian Vettel all live in the country, or at least have houses there.

The amount of sports and racing cars of historic value in Switzerland is something that never ceases to amaze also. Swiss watch makers and bankers have more rare four-wheelers than they may have combined in all European countries directly surrounding it. We would not be surprised. And they cherish them, too.

And so, it’s no surprise that the country also boasts a number of prestigious concours d’elegance events. As a matter of fact the Concours d'Elégance Suisse 2018 took place last weekend and saw big numbers of Ferraris, Maseratis, Etceterinis and the occasional Monteverdi join in on the grounds of the Château de Coppet, offering panoramic views over the Mont-Blanc and Lake Geneva. Oh, yes, the Swiss love Italian stallions, made so close-by yet perhaps so far away after the mid-1950s and in the 1960s and 1970s..? Next up is the – prestigious, naturally - Concorso d’Eleganza Italiauto in St. Urban on July 8th in a former abbey.

(Words editor, pictures courtesy Concours d'elegance Suisse / Italiauto)

    

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