by "Mark - Sixpots None The Richer" (marklinde)
Published 10/03/2017 at 14:05
by "Mark - Sixpots None The Richer" (marklinde)
Published 10/03/2017 at 14:05
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STARS: 8
Because Germany celebrates its reunifaction today, I suppose it’s as got a moment as any to publish my first post in ages on here.
I’ve been living in Berlin for over a year now
and I’m happy to report that my initial excitement didn’t wear off yet. It’s still great to finally live in a place where stuff actually happens. I’m ecpecially enjoying all the concerts I’m able to visit now. But I have to admit that I’m missing a car in my life.
Anyway, enough about me. This is still a car blog I think!
So back in Ju ne I was visiting the Classic Days. It takes place on the Kurfürstendamm . This famous boulevard is the center of western Berlin and - as the pictures will show you - it’s a well known upscale shopping street. For two days almost a mile of the Ku’damm is closed off. This allows over 2,000 classic cars to participate at this event.
Which Targa would you pick?
The following car might look very modern, but it’s almost twenty years old by now.
This was the third time in my life I was this close to a Formula 1 car. And everytime it’s amazing to me how small and delicate those machines actually are.
Boss, indeed!
This is a good moment to be thankful that the days when American cars on Berlin’s streets looked like these are over:
So let’s have fun with your glourious freedom machines together instead.
The Charger is one of my absolute favorite cars of all time.
But I’m modest. I would settle for a Coronet.
Is this an Original?
Well, this is definitely an original.
The owner made a huge effort to make the race car street legal. One of the many issues was the exhaust system. It was way too loud and therefor they had to find a compromise between originality and legal requirements. Luckily I was able to hear the result of their tinkering. Just when I was standing there to take these pictures they started the car to give us mere mortals a couple of minutes of V8 rumble and revs. And while the noise probably was just a faint echo of the glory days on the Mulsanne straight I can say that the audience and I appreciated the compromise they achieved.
The licence plate of this Daytona Spider is perfect! So is this an “Argentina Special” or was it done on purpose? For those of you who don’t know: You can only choose up to two letters and four numbers behind the coat of arms. The letters before that are the region prefix. The only way to get it is to register the car in that specific district. And for this you need a residence or business there. DON stands for Donauwörth in Bavaria by the way.
This ‘85 Quattro is the car in which Michèle Mouton won Pikes Peak in 1985.
I have to end this here. The amount of cars on display was overwhelming. I took over 300 pictures that day and this was by far not enough to capture the scale of this event.
Next weekend I will visit the Motorworld Classics. I was there last year as well, but I simply couldn’t be bothered to upload any pics. This is a teaser:
I’ll try to upload a best of of both events in the near future.
"Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)" (galileo-humpkins)
10/03/2017 at 14:56, STARS: 0
More American cars than I expected. Also, those Audi’s tickle me in a way that feels so wrong, but so right.
"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse)
10/03/2017 at 14:56, STARS: 0
What? No Wartburgs?
Then again, we have a Renault 15. Exciting times!
"fintail" (fintail)
10/03/2017 at 15:06, STARS: 0
Customized Ponton coupe, that was unexpected.
"vondon302" (vondon302)
10/03/2017 at 15:38, STARS: 0
Berlin is the only real big city I could see myself living in. Visited last year and I need to go back. Great pics.
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
10/04/2017 at 05:55, STARS: 0
upload and link to flickr perhaps?
"Mark - Sixpots None The Richer" (marklinde)
10/04/2017 at 13:23, STARS: 0
Good idea!
Or I’ll be stricter while chosing pics. Quality beats quantity, right. ;-)
"Mark - Sixpots None The Richer" (marklinde)
10/04/2017 at 13:42, STARS: 1
It’s a nice place to be for sure!
You live in Michigan? I’m really interested in Detroit. Because from the outside this city seems to have the potential to be quite an attractive place. Don’t forget that Berlin - especially the east of course - was really neglected just 20 years ago and the city in general didn’t offer a lot of attractive jobs and business opportunities. Compared to Stuttgart, Munich and Hamburg Berlin doesn’t have big manufacturing companies for example. And yet half of Europe wants to live here now and even Americans like you can see the appeal. I’m really curious whether Detroit could achieve something similar.
Granted: Berlin got - and still gets - a lot of help. Just read this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equalization_Payments_in_Germany
I don’t think something like this would be possible in the US.
"Mark - Sixpots None The Richer" (marklinde)
10/04/2017 at 13:48, STARS: 1
Definitely one of my favorite cars of the event!
Have two more Mercs because you deserve them!
"Mark - Sixpots None The Richer" (marklinde)
10/04/2017 at 13:49, STARS: 1
I’m sorry!
This won’t happen again! ;-)
"Mark - Sixpots None The Richer" (marklinde)
10/04/2017 at 13:54, STARS: 1
(Old) American cars are more popular over here than you might think - or Top Gear suggests.
They are more expensive over here, but they are still a performance bargain. Would you pay 15k€ for a nice old Opel with a 50hp four banger or the same amount for a decent American classic with a V8 and 200+hp?
Exactly!
Also: Movies and image of course. And on top of that those “aliens” just look cool over here:
"vondon302" (vondon302)
10/04/2017 at 14:08, STARS: 0
Yeah your right I don’t think something like that would happen in the states. I’m kinda pessimistic about Detroit yeah it’s better than it used to be but just downtown. The surrounding neighbourhoods are still a mess. Maybe because I’ve lived hear all my life and get sick of hearing how Detroit is the next big thing while towns like Flint and Pontiac become ghost towns. Actually I think the west side of our state is doing better than the major population centres of the east side. If I could I’d move to Grand Rapids in heart beat but me and my wife’s jobs are hear and stable. Plus I’m 48 now so starting over doesn’t sound fun.
Give us some more pics of Berlin car culture when you get a chance. You shoot good.
"Mark - Sixpots None The Richer" (marklinde)
10/04/2017 at 17:14, STARS: 1
I can see how the Detroit hype is really tiring for someone who is as close as you are.
And thank you!
I will definitely try to be more active on here again.
"fintail" (fintail)
10/04/2017 at 22:08, STARS: 0
I’ll take em both!