Great weather and more than 100 enthusiastic participants made Tour of the Century a great success.
Can you imagine it? 100 year-old cars from 1916 to 2016 gather in the beautiful Werkspoor Cathedral in Utrecht during the Tour of the Century. Cars from the relatively early beginnings of motoring up to and including the modern car, which is a lot further away from the rugged feeling of the road and the great risks that driving involved in the past. In Utrecht they all came together during the Tour of the Century. A great sight.
One every year
From a Cadillac type 57 from 1916 to a Tesla model X from 2016. From each year a more or less representative model for that year. Slightly more exotic than civilian mass-cars, but that didn't spoil the fun. The Deux Chevaux and the Daffodil were also represented.
Drive ... and eat
I came with my car from 2002 relatively behind in the row of the 100 build years. That also gave time to see how those old years of construction left. It was my turn at around 11 and we drove off into the Utrecht ridge. Beautiful trip through the countryside and along the various waterways with an obligatory coffee with apple pie in between, where the cars seriously disrupted a party of the local dachshund club. According to Carlo Brantsen, some animals had to be transported to the vet because of psychological problems. An hour later a lunch moment at Pon, who treated us to fries. There was also a 'who can ride the pawns fastest' moment.
Even more food and the winner
Around four o'clock we arrived at a collection point next to the A2 where all cars were set up in the correct order of year of construction and then returned to the Werkspoor Cathedral in the order under police supervision. There was a festive conclusion with a drink and snack and of course the prize-giving ceremony. Well-known rally driver Frans de Zoete went home with the prize. Participating was great for me. After a beautiful day, a century of automotive experience went back home.