Classica Mierzęcin 11th June - 14th June 2026 Poland
to celebrate
10th Anniversary of the formation of the
Polish Section of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club (RREC)
Kalisz, 23rd April 2016
Click on the photographs for an enlarged, far superior rendition
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| Every passing year increased numbers arrive for this elegant event |
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| An appropriate registration plate attached to the 1931 Phantom II Brewster Keswick Town Car (237AJS) |
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Some of the RREC Polish Section cars assembled From Lt to Rt: 1931 Phantom II Brewster Keswick Town Car (237AJS), Shell Grey 1974 Silver Shadow (SRH18723), 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Hooper (153TA), 1948 Hooper Silver Wraith (WZB33), Bentley S1 |
In the Autumn of 1965 the most radical design for Rolls-Royce was revealed to the public at the Paris Motor Show. Dealers caught their first glimpse of the car on September 30th and October 1st. As you know, the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow (and the Bentley T Series) were designed by John Blatchley who produced a far more compact design than the previous Silver Cloud but with at least as much interior space.
Parked beside the current models, the Shadow appears dainty and elegant indeed, a car easy to use and manage (except parking!) in the traffic conditions of 2026.
Being of a monocoque construction with self-leveling suspension and disc brakes, it marked the most significant departure in 60 years from the chassis based, coach-built models of the past. From the outset it was designed with the owner/driver in mind. Over a period of more than 10 years, 16,717 Silver Shadows and 1712 Bentley T-Series were produced making it the most successful Rolls-Royce of all time. A much underestimated car and a revolution at the time.
I have owned mine for 40 years and it remains completely original. This magnificent vehicle has given me intense leisure experiences of many varieties over the years. However, I will remain tactfully silent of my own detailed 'adventurous history' with it.
The original build sheets of my example, SRH18723 from the Hunt House, which I treasure, indicate that my car was completed on February 5th 1974. That makes it an original 52 years of age with no restoration, simply preventative maintenance in the spirit of an aircraft. A confirmation of the Rolls-Royce quality longevity legend surely!
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The badge bar on the Silver Shadow - A guessing game to identify them! |
Classica Mierzęcin June 2026
 Her classic car passion begins early on a miniature electric Horsch |
Thursday 11/VI/2026 was devoted to crew registration and registration of entries for the Concours d'Elegance under the auspices of FIVA. There were a number of exceptional and valuable cars this year. In total 62 cars were entered and numbered. 18 cars were entered in the FIVA Elegance Contest. This year the Concours d'Elegance section was prestigiously upgraded to a FIVA Premier Event.
Here are a few ...
  A multiple award-winning Polish 1928 Chrysler Model 75 Sport Roadster (Targa Florio, Le Mans ...). This car won the FIVA Special Award.  A Princess poses in the shade before the 'Royal' Shadow SRH18723 The torrential rain held off and the day closed with a particularly delicious bonfire and barbeque dinner at the Altana Grillowa. Friday morning at 9.00am 12/VI/2026, saw us gathering for a rally to the town of Gorzów. The drive of 56 kms in welcome sunshine was through forested parkland and agricultural country. This excursion was gloriously picturesque, as if immersed in a gargantuan creation of Capability Brown. The rally was accompanied and security protected by myriad police with blue flashing lights and sirens riding powerful motorbikes. The route was closed to conventional traffic and during the pre-rally briefing the officer instructed: "Drive through any red lights. Ignore speed limits. We will be there for your security! We have prepared your passage to freedom!" Such inspiring humanity and sense of theater on the part of the authorities in Poland! They often passed our line of rally cars at high speed with flashing lights. Everyone enjoyed the drama immensely.  We parked outside the new Philharmonia concert hall and took the greatest pleasure in listening to an interesting rehearsal for a concert the same evening.  The rally assembled outside the new Philharmonia Concert Hall, Gorzów |
I had never considered or for that matter even heard, let alone listened to, electronic 'art music' that accompanied computer games. Apparently this was a popular genre some years ago. Members of the Gorzów Philharmonic Orchestra had formed a small chamber group to play transcriptions for strings of these electronic computer-game pieces. There were also theatrical elements expressed by antics by some of the musicians! The concert was to take place the same evening as the informal rehearsal we attended.
After accustoming myself to the unfamiliarity and essential melodic simplicity, I found the music and the idea absolutely fascinating. The concept dovetails neatly with the Polish genius and design talent they have for mathematics, computer games and animation.
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| 2012 Mierzęcin Riesling - the finest and rarest vintage I tasted |
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| The stunning prancing deer mascot that adorned the Volga above |
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| Period fashions took us back in time |
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| The period bicycle display always makes one thoughtful of the nature of passing time and inevitable change. Here the period energy drinks of 1935 ! |
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Correct period dress for the Bentley S1 |
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| The guest gathering prior to the gourmet Michelin-certified dinner and Commander's Ball FIVA Concours Results awarded before dinner
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| Some after dinner dancing ... |
The final day, Sunday 14th June, was also an open public day. I had some very engaging conversations about my Royce and especially the '907 HRH' registration plate I retain for display purposes and as a 'conversation piece'.
The original build sheets of SRH 18723 which I retain, indicate that my car was completed on February 5th 1974. I purchased it in Wargrave near Henley-on-Thames on 19 May 1987 and paid £12,850 which would be equivalent to £ 51,000 in 2026. Not a great investment in real terms but wonderful in every other way.
The car was part of the Rolls-Royce fleet owned by the Sultan of Oman, HM Qaboos bin Said, who loved the village and Rolls-Royce motor cars. He sadly died in 2020. This explains the registration plate 907 HRH (His Royal Highness) which I have kept out of pure vanity. Educated in England and at RMA Sandhurst he took a keen interest in youth projects. As part of an Omani Evening in 1985 he contributed an 'Arabian Feast' together with a group of fully costumed ritual Royal Omani Sword Dancers and Musicians to the Wargrave Festival.
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| A cultural treasure - the Sword Dancers of Oman (CGTN) |
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Dariusz Brudkiewicz (far right), the RREC Polish Section Chairman, won the prize for the car produced before 1950 that had traveled the greatest distance 'on its wheels' (driven some 438 kms from the town of Opole) His 1948 Rolls-Royce Hooper Silver Wraith (WZB33) has provided the most sterling service over many years. Also from the Lt., the tireless and talented Anna Terech-Ignasiak (Sales and Marketing Manager), Piotr Nowakowski (the indispensable 'main man of the Classica Mierzęcin event) and Patryk Mikiciuk, presenter and fluent encyclopedia of classic cars  A Dixieland Band had been playing throughout and I used the closing stages to listen to them. |
Stylowa Załoga / Stylish Crew
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2 |
1927 |
Willys Knight |
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10 |
1937 |
Mercedes-Benz 230B |
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19 |
1957 |
Cadillac Eldorado |
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20 |
1958 |
Pontiac Bonneville |
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24 |
1961 |
Chrysler 300 |
Auto, które na kołach przejechało największy dystans / The car that has traveled the greatest distance on its wheels:
- produced before 1950:
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15 |
1948 |
Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith |
- produced after 1950:
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57 |
1987 |
Jeep Wagoneer |
Nagroda publiczności / Audience Award:
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47 |
1977
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Volkswagen Golf GTI
MK1 |
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