Eskilstuna Veterandag
Nestled in the heart of Sweden, Eskilstuna may not seem like a particularly flashy city at first. However, it has made a name for itself internationally with its unique shopping center dedicated entirely to second-hand and upcycled goods. I really appreciate this initiative, even if I find the place a bit overhyped. But there is another reason for this city to be remembered – this time on the classic car scene. Veterandag is a huge gathering for classic vehicle enthusiasts. On its vintage-looking website, the organizers claim it’s the biggest event for classic vehicles in Sweden. But does size really equate to quality? Let’s find out.
Veterandag is not only about cars, motorcycles, or even trucks. Since one of the organizers is the Eskilstuna Aeroclub, it’s worth keeping an eye on the sky as well. Throughout the day, guests and participants had the chance to enjoy displays from classic planes and gliders.
The agenda for this event was much like other Swedish classic car gatherings. A big green meadow is available, so why not just park the cars in rows? Add a market with parts for classic cars and other vintage goods, and the event is ready. In this case, what sets it apart from the others is not only its size, but also the planes.
And speaking of size, is it really the biggest event in Sweden? Well, I haven’t been to all of them, but I’ve never seen this many cars at any other. I even tried to count them, but since participants were constantly coming and going, the total number of vehicles that visited the venue is hard to estimate.
So, let’s tackle the important question – does quantity equate to quality? You can look for many ways to measure the quality of an event: the cars on display, the beauty of the location, the elegance of the participants’ outfits. Such indicators can be multiplied endlessly. But I’ve come to the conclusion that the most important measure of any event is the smiles of its participants. And here, there was certainly no shortage of them.
Many participants bring along folding tables, chairs, and thermoses filled with coffee. What more could one need for happiness? Good company, pleasant conversation, and a cup of coffee. And when there are interesting cars parked nearby and a vintage airplane occasionally flying overhead, there is simply nothing to complain about.
I’m always happy to see vintage buses and trucks, and during the Veterandag a few fine examples of the latter were present. The sight of a well-preserved old Scania is always a pleasure to my eyes. It would be nice to list some of the most interesting cars — but could I manage? Lotus Omega, Fiat 126, Lancia Y10, Alfetta GTV… no, I won’t even try. There were just too many. And honestly, I can’t even remember the names of them all.
Some readers might start questioning my sanity at this point, but I’d like to give a special mention to a white Saab 99. This popular model, in its fairly standard trim, seemed rather modest at first glance when parked among the shinier and much rarer classics. Yet it won me over with its wonderfully authentic condition. It had just the right amount of patina — enough to give the car true character, but not so much that it looked like it belonged in a scrapyard. Classics of this kind are the best testament to bygone times. These are the models we most often saw on the streets years ago. Back then, they weren’t shiny thanks to modern paints or ceramic coatings. It’s precisely these cars, once so ordinary, that have now become the rarest.
The trip to Eskilstuna turned out to be an excellent idea. A leisurely walk among rows of classic cars is always a pleasant boost to the mood. No pressure, no tight schedule of events to catch and photograph. Perhaps I should sometimes put the camera aside and take a thermos of coffee out of the trunk instead? I’ll have to give that a try next time.