Gärdesloppet 2023
I had mixed impressions when I’ve visited last year’s edition of Stockholm’s biggest classic car meet: Gärdesloppet. On the positive side: an uncountable number of interesting cars. On the other hand, cars parked in simple rows on big grassy meadow: the most boring way of exposure possible. But this year, I knew where to start, where to spend more time, and how not to miss the most interesting bits. As a result, this year’s memories are much more positive.
Static exposition is nice, but the most interesting things happen, when the engines are running. To hear them, it’s good to go to the start of the Prince Bertil Memorial: a short regularity rally led through the alleys of Djurgården. Here you can see the emotions of the crews preparing for the start – best visible in the open pre-war machines, many of which were present.
As we are talking about the running engines, it’s hard not to mention one of the most surprising parts of the event: the parade of classic boats. Yes, not what you usually expect from a car enthusiast meeting. A narrow channel with a gently raised bank gives the audience a perfect view of the slowly moving works of craftsmanship.
A much more traditional attraction was the Concours de Charme. The jury is looking for the most stylish crew. The condition of the vehicle matters as much as gadgets from the era and obviously period-correct garderobe of driver and passengers. Unfortunately, there is no presentation of the participants for the public. I think it could add to the show, like it did on the Forza event described in the previous article.
Most of the venue area was used by the static exposition of the cars. A grassy meadow with rows of cars is not the most spectacular way of presenting cars, but thankfully there was something to look at.
As usual, I have a problem naming the most interesting machines and will advise you to look for them in the photos. It was hard not to note that many of the most eye-catching cars came from Uppsala’s classic car dealer, Motikon. From Lake Como to Stockholm, their presence is becoming more and more visible.
I must admit, that with a few cars, I had absolutely no clue what I was looking at. The easiest one to name was the Ford Special #49 with the 1940 frame and body built by Ockelbo-Lundgren: Swedish coachbuilder whom I mentioned in my report from the Italian Day in the Skoklosters Slott. The second mysterious car was the Lenham Hurst GTR. It’s a road-legal version of the Lenham P69 racing car. Only one was built in 1970. It’s powered by Lotus 1.6 twin cam engine. The most original part of it is the fact that to get inside, instead of using traditional doors, the whole windshield with roof had to be opened. The last car brand, I’ve learned about, was the HRG. This British car manufacturer, based in Tolworth, Surrey was founded in 1936 and ceased production in 1956.
Lenham Hurst GTR
Ford frame with Ockelbo-Lundgren body
Uncountable number of interesting cars, stylish enthusiasts clothed to match their machines, and a little regularity rally to spice things up a bit. That, complemented by a classic boat show and the unmistakable panorama of Djurgården, are the ingredients that create the atmosphere of the Gärdesloppet.
