Polish Concours d'Elegance - Rozalin Palace
September 28th 2024
The Polish Concours d'Elegance at Rozalin Palace near Warsaw I
attended on September 28th was an intense expression of the cliché 'small is
beautiful'. The event was the fifth edition of what is clearly becoming a
permanent quality fixture in the Polish classic car calendar. The inspiration
for it is the annual Concours d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on Lake Como in
Italy.
The neo-Renaissance classical palace/villa of Rozalin is an
architecturally important, historic building. Situated about 40 kms from
Warsaw, it was built for the beautiful, aristocratic Rozalia Rzewuska née
Lubomirska and designed in the mid-19th century by Henryk Marconi, the
famous Polish architect of Italian origin. He designed many important
neo-Classical buildings in the country.
https://palacrozalin.pl/o-nas/
Rozalin Palace
The glamorous interior guest lounge
for the event
Two dapper RREC English gents deep in 'learned car conversation'
Assembled
classic cars on the palace lawn
Lt. to Rt. Alpine A110, Porsche RUF CTR 'Yellowbird', Ferrari Testarossa (monospechio monodado - first year of production) Lamborghini Countach LP400S Series II
The hosts of the event were Paweł and Anna Molgo together with
their daughter Karina Molgo-Besaraba, Director of Rozalin Palace. The
property was recovered from state expropriation in 1993. After many years,
the new owners have restored the former splendor of the palace and park
complex.
This exquisite autumnal classic car event also invites members of the Polish Section of the RREC. Once a year, at the end of the season, between 40 and 50 accepted cars form a select group that participate in the Grand Finale of the Polish Concours d'Elegance contest.
Assembled
classic cars on the palace lawn
Lt. to Rt. Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider, Steyr 220 Sport Roadster, Fiat Dino and Porsche 356A
The importance of the event is also demonstrated by the fact
that by regulation each car can only take part in the competition once.
This can be a drawback given the relatively small pool of suitable Rolls-Royce
and Bentley cars resident in Poland. A number of RREC members who attended the
event were highly entertained but not able to participate with cars that had previously
appeared in the Elegance Contest.
RREC member Guy Pinsent's chauffeured
1958 Silver Cloud I LSGE438 loitering in the car park at Rozalin
Polish marching band in full fig at
Rozalin Palace
This extensive collection of rare, expensive and often unique
cars indicates the increasing development of the classic car world in Poland. English
cars are taking a more prominent part such as fine Jaguar XJ6 as an 'Everyday
Classic'. The Secretary of the RREC Polish
Section, Michael Moran, was designated a member of the jury. 'Vehicles are
selected to present the diversity of the automotive industry, its evolution and
history. We try to find unique models that are not often seen on the roads of
Poland or even Europe.' says Agata Ślepowrońska, Director of the
competition.
'We assessed beauty, style, elegance, condition,
authenticity, restoration, model rarity, historical and cultural value as well carrying
out a technical inspection. A maximum of 100 points could be scored in these
areas.' explained
Tomasz Jóźwiak, chair of the jury.
Early morning dew settled on Lt. to Rt. Lamborghini Countach LP400S Series II, Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2, Maserati Ghibli, Lancia Flaminia GT 3C 2.5 Superleggera by Touring and a rare Bristol 411 Series 6
The majority of the owners accompanied their cars during the
inspection and added fascinating anecdotes concerning originality, restoration
and provenance. They often had books printed on fine paper outlining the
restoration details. The competition has been approved by FIVA and included in
their calendar.
An extraordinary recreated Bentley 8 litre Racer by ABCAR Oldtimers of Poland
Results
Best of Show - Grand Prix
Polish Elegance 2024
1937 Steyr 220 by Gläser Karosserie of Dresden
The Art Deco Streamline Moderne styling is clear
The present owner and his wife receiving their Best of Show Awards
1937 Steyr 220 by Gläser Karosserie of Dresden
1937 Steyr 220 by Gläser Karosserie of Dresden
In Central-Eastern Europe there are many
surprising discoveries to be made of forgotten marques unknown or
completely forgotten in the West. The context of their history, discovery,
painstaking restoration and war adventures are unique. The model Steyr 220 on show was a case in point.
The name 'Steyr' refers to a town in
Upper Austria. In 1894 the Waffenrad company began manufacturing bicycles under license to the
British Swift Company. They diversified into motor cars in 1916 under the
guidance of the brilliant Austrian automobile designer Hans Ledwinka (of subsequent
Tatra fame that led to the Volkswagen design). However, the Steyr company
wanted luxury cars not his practical, economical vehicles, so he resigned.
The Steyr 220 appeared in 1937. This particular
car, ultra-rare in two-seater cabriolet form, was coachbuilt by Gläser
Karosserie of Dresden, Germany. Six are known to have been constructed but
only two survive. The performance and handling would have been exceptional for
the day. It took the present owner some twenty years to fully restore it.
During the Second World War, this model was
designed primarily for Nazi high-ranking commanders and officers. A Steyr 220,
with the more powerful 2.3 litre engine, was stolen and used in a notorious
escape from Auschwitz concentration camp on 20 June 1942.
The disguised, escaping prisoners carried
reports written by the remarkable resistance leader Witold Pilecki. This fearless
risk-taker arranged to be voluntarily arrested and incarcerated in Auschwitz. Hopefully,
the Polish Home Army and the Allies would read his reports and act on the horrifying
activities described within the camp.
The stolen Steyr 220 (not this particular
car but possibly the more common four-passenger convertible form) was owned by SS
Captain Kreuzman, head of the Motor Workshops and Garages at Auschwitz.
The four escapees were dressed in meticulously faked SS uniforms and armed. In full daylight, giving the Nazi salute and shouting Heil Hitler, they quickly convinced the guards to unquestioningly lift the barrier and drove directly through the main gates of the camp. This theatrical, hilarious classic escape became a well-known story among camp inmates throughout Poland, lifting their morale and optimism immeasurably. They were never re-captured. The reports were unaccountably shelved and treated with skepticism.
Elegance - Class Winner: Tatra T87
Perfectly restored by the
top specialist in the Czech Republic
Parked next to the Tatra is an extremely rare Volkswagen Type 14A Hebmüller Cabriolet (100 survive of 696 produced)
Elegance - Honorable
Mention: Maserati Ghibli Sport
Sport - Class Winner: Alpine A220 Short Tail
Sport - Honorable Mention: Lamborghini Countach LP400S Series II
Everyday Classic - Class
Winner: Volkswagen 117 Deluxe
Sunroof
Everyday Classic -
Honorable mention: Lancia Beta
Montecarlo Spider
Parking - Class Winner: Porsche 911 RS Slate Grey
There was even a restored 1960s VW Campervan which shot me
back nostalgically to my youth driving through the Australian outback.
Restored 1960s VW Campervan
with the Everyday Classic Class Winner
Volkswagen 117 Deluxe Sunroof
A range of classics, in the manner of Goodwood, were parked
in an adjoining meadow and made a fascinating browsing break from the official
display.
A gourmet dinner, pre-war Polish cabaret songs and joyful dancing in the palace filled the remaining part of the evening. For the entire time I had enjoyable and amusing conversations with many classic car owners and enthusiasts. As a friend of mine commented the next day after a delicious Brunch served on Sunday morning, 'Chatter, laughter and discussions continued well after the official part had closed!'
Text: Michael Moran
Photographs: Michael Moran and Agata Ślepowronska
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