Antique Car Show „Timeless Klasika 2014”

Antique Car Show „Timeless Klasika 2014”

It’s hard to have something new to say about the historical car exhibition which takes place in Biržai. Every year, together with the town festivals held, the antique vehicle performances have become a traditional gathering place for people who are at least interested in historical technique, where you can see the oldest and most interesting historical exhibits, hear the restoration news, and finally, spend great time in friends and like-minded company.
On the 2nd of August, in Biržai, there was held a traditional exhibition of antique vehicles “Timeless “Klasika” 2014” which brought together the best, rarest and oldest cars from Lithuania and Latvia. Ever since 2008, Antique Vehicle Club “Klasika” exhibitions of historical cars has been enlivening Biržai cultural life, attracting new sponsors and inviting crowds of guests and tourists.
On the morning of Festival, show organizers and guests were a little frightened by short warm rain, but soon it ended up giving place for the perfect weather, which like a good mood, accompanied festival participants for the rest of the day. The event, starting with the car registration confirmation, went on timely and smoothly. Apparently, knowing the festival organizers’ punctuality and strict requirements, most participants arrived well before the start of registration. And that’s good, because in connection with the sporting event that took place in Birzai town, some streets were closed and traffic jams blocked them.
After registration confirmation, participants of the exhibition were divided into three groups. Each group, led by a member of Club “Klasika”, went by buses to get acquainted with the subtleties of brewing: Rinkuskiai and Birzai breweries, and Biržai Castle Museum.
The exhibitors wonderfully spent time in brewing companies and institutions which keep traditions of brewing. After returning to Birzai Air club, they quickly dressed up and prepared for the parade through the town streets. Police accompanied the abundant historical convoy moved into the centre of the town, there was the antique car event next to a monument to Independence from 17:00 to 19:30.
The antique car show “Timeless Klasika 2014” held in Birzai, August 2, not only attracted crowds of viewers but brought together the best, rarest and oldest cars from Lithuania and Latvia.
Exhibition visitors were able to see even 63 excellent antique and classic vehicles: 4 motorcycles and 59 cars. We can be pleased with that each year the historical technique Festivals, organised by Antique Vehicle Club “Klasika”, are becoming more solid and getting more historic charm. The event was attended by twenty-two cars from Latvia, one from Belarus and forty antique vehicles from Lithuania. Eighteen cars participating in this year’s exhibition were produced in the interwar period. According to expert assessment, there were the biggest number of pre-war cars participating in exhibition and ever seen in Lithuania since 1991.
The festival was enlivened not only by fine-looking antique and classic cars, but also by the drivers and their families dressed in after the times, corresponding to the year of the car producing. The exhibition visitors could even take pictures by the club “Klasika” improvised Hollywood star with Club “Klasika” girls Gražina and Vaiva. And further, it was possible not only to see, to touch, to admire the history of motoring, but also to hear the story of the one or the other exhibits, the development of “Klasika” events, the club members and their future plans. Information work was perfectly performed by a show presenter Ovidijus Jankauskas, who interviewed not only the organizer of the festival – the antique vehicles club “Klasika” President Egidijus Einoris, but also the other festival participants. There were really a lot to talk with, because in this exhibition you could meet all the best-known Lithuanian and Latvian restorers, organizers of antique vehicles events and technical experts. To the exhibition arrived Riga Motor Museum delegation, led by Deputy Director Andrejs Belinskis, Latvia Antique Automobile Club President Agris Šmits, Jurmala historic car event organizer Maris Mežapuke, collector Jūris Telševskis, Lithuania Classic Car Club President Gintautas Žičkus, historical technical experts Kęstutis Pletkus and Ričardas Žičkus, and many others like-minded interested in antique technology.
Sigitas Zajarskas, owner of Ford T, made in 1926, came by the oldest car to the exhibition in Birzai. Jonas Ruseckas’ 1939 Opel Admiral cabriolet was accepted as the best restored historic vehicle. The most interesting car’s certificate was given to BMW 501, produced in 1955 (the owner – Alfredas Zigmantas). Well, Vida and Gintautas Žickus arrived by a 1937 convertible Mercedes Benz and won the award of the crew who mostly corresponds with vehicle time.
After the exhibition, antique vehicles said goodbye with loud horn honks to so many gathered audience of the event, and once again returned to Birzai Air club, which was closed for a festive evening. Exhibition organizers tried to welcome and entertain their guests properly. As always, the official part of the evening was began by anthem of the Lithuania Republic as well as diplomas and certificates were handed. Afterwards, various performances, chatting, dancing, and festive fireworks continued. The celebration ended, leaving the hope and the desire to meet again next year…

Dainius Nagelė photos