Franeker Oldies Festival. Stroll between vintage cars and Rock and Roll.

We are slowly moving towards summer. Spring is in full swing, the corona measures are over. And the number of classic car events on the calendar is steadily growing. There is a lot of beauty in the barrel. Both big and small. I'm also attending an event that is organized almost around the corner from me: the Franeker Oldies Festival.

It is busy in Franeker during the festive weekend, in which Rock and Roll and old-timers, among other things, fill the historic center pleasantly. As for the old-timers: these get the podium on Saturday, and that podium is of course also my terrain. The collection of classics (which also consists of very nice mopeds and motorcycles) is colorful and is located on the cozy Voorstraat. The oldtimers mix with a nice Rock and Roll atmosphere. This is colored by fine bands, ladies dressed in petticoats, terraces and lots of visitors.

Traditionally, the party in Franeker is purely American oriented, also in terms of cars. The fascinating Americans still dominate the festival. And they do that, without making any claim to the container concept the American† There are various categories of classics from the land of unlimited possibilities on the Voorstraat. beautifully patinated pick-up trucks, customized stations, dream limos and sedans and delicious muscle cars.

I enjoy a beautiful Cadillac Calais, an Imperial Crown, a Corvette C3, a Pontiac GTO, an original First Series Mustang, a Series 62 from 1953. Today I also enjoy an incredibly cool pimped-up Chevy II Nova Station (you can really see it never) and a customized Plymouth Satellite Station, a bright green one. Not to mention the two very old patina Pickups from GMC and Plymouth. I have a great weakness for classics in this category.

But I also like the Europeans and the Japanese in the old Frisian university town, that's where the center of gravity of my classical affection lies. My Toyota heart beats at full speed when I see the LC HJ45 diesel. Such an old Land Cruiser to me is the automotive equivalent of the king of beasts. Where everyone stops, it starts for Toyota's off-roader. Regardless of series, and the car in Franeker is an excellent credential of pure indestructibility. Further on I meet the necessary French and a few Italian classics. Again, the mix is ​​beautiful.

And then Peter, Oane and Arnold arrive, representing another eternal love of mine. They park three classic VWs in a column and for several reasons I am extra excited. Oane has the latest acquisition of Peter de Roy with him: a jewel of a Scirocco from 1980. To be continued† Arnold arrives with his VW 1303 S (with the original AD engine, pre 8/73) and Peter has brought his old well-known VW 1303 LS Cabriolet with him. And speaking of Beetle Cabrios: there is also a very cool and well-known VW 1200 Cabriolet from the Oval era further down the road. The heart beats faster, a Beetle can never break with me.

I meet a lot of acquaintances from the world anyway. I speak to Sietse, Folkert and Ane. Sietse has brought a beautiful Imperial Crown, the Cadillac and the Mustang have stayed at home. That does not apply to the beautiful (and from AMK well-known) Series 62 by Folkert, which really is the center of attention. He has already had a special ride on this day. Ane brought the well-known Volvo 66 GL Combi (also from our magazine). I'm going to spend some time with him in Franeker and we'll be doing that again soon, because there's a report with a cool classic Benz coming up.

I will not reveal anything further in that regard, except that it is very near future music with very pleasant sounds. But today I am in Franeker, where classic America and the rest of the car world of yesteryear merge. That also makes a deep bow to a jewel of a Mercedes-Benz 230 S Automatic (W111) and an uncontrollably beautiful 220 S Cabriolet. Yes, the desire to go out with a classic Benz again is only growing.

After some chips and a can of cool cola in hand, I stroll into the sun-drenched Franeker towards the end of the afternoon. Franeker, where various classic cultures come together. Where nice bands bring the music to the people. Where the organization brings the classics to the people. Where old and new acquaintances meet. And where the proof is provided again, that small and very big things can make people very happy. And above all: that old and unadulterated classic love never rusts. Certainly not in such a casual atmosphere as this afternoon.