Local history museum is literally overrun: 1500 visitors marvel at 450 classic cars in Thal

Great eye-catcher: A 99-year-old Indian Scout, which a Unterföhringer had bought about 25 years ago in the Peruvian capital Lima, caused a sensation at the classic car meeting in Thal. Motorcycle mechanic Jonas Kainz and his friend Tobias Obermaier (from right), who had arrived with two mopeds, couldn't get enough of this rarity © Fabian Holzner

Huge material assets, a lot of hobby and about 1500 people gathered on Corpus Christi for the classic car meeting at the local history museum in Thal.

Kirchberg – More than 450 cars and motorcycles were on the list of the members of the classic car friends at the entrance to the club grounds. The only thing we know about the "dark figure" of the vehicles, or the drivers who renounced their commemorative medal, is that it is "big", according to secretary Manfred Schwaiger.

As a result, the event was more popular than ever before. "It's almost beyond the scope, we have prepared for about 1000 visitors," said chairman Manfred Obermaier during a short breather at the barbecue. "And classic cars are not allowed to come ten more now, that's how full the parking lot is," he added with an enthusiastic laugh. However, a further growth of the classic car days - this Sunday from 11 a.m. historic tractors and stationary engines meet - is not easily possible, after all, only about 60 volunteers are responsible for the organization and catering.

Although they had already been deliberately frugal in the application, the date had spread "like wildfire" in the social media, Obermaier explained. In addition, there is the classic car meeting in Maxlrain, which takes place at the same time, from which one or the other historic vehicle came. Then the chairman hurried back to the cheese grillers. "The ration for Sunday is almost gone," he said with a laugh.

Dense crowds: The parking lot at the local history museum was almost filled to capacity. The people in charge of the Oldtimerfreunde Kirchberg had not really expected such a huge response. © Ralf Kühl

With the increase in visitors, the audience also rejuvenates. For example, 25-year-old Tobias Obermaier and 26-year-old Jonas Kainz from Holzland also took part with their mopeds. For motorcycle mechanic Kainz, however, it is not just an expert assessment of antique two-wheelers, he also wants to take part on Sunday, with his Hanomag tractor, built in 1957. "My grandfather bought the Bulldog brand new, I then prepared it again," he said as he strolled between the rows of shiny chrome vintage motorcycles. This may only be used for walking trips and should certainly not be resold. "The bulldog will stay in the yard as long as I'm there," he said of the family heirloom.

In particular, a red-brown two-wheeler with openly visible technology attracted attention in Thal. 99 years old is the American Indian Scout. It was "almost broken" after many years of being driven in Lima (Peru), said owner Rainer Litwin from Unterföhring. About 25 years ago, it came into his hands, but the almost non-functional vehicle still cost 11,000 marks. The motorcycle enthusiast invested thousands more euros, the speedometer alone cost more than 3000 euros. It is "the manageable technology, but it has to be right" that makes up Litwin's enthusiasm and willingness to make the high investments.

Also from the dry south, which often gives the vehicles a longer life, is Achim Müller's white coupé. The BMW 700 drove in Italy and was also designed by an Italian in the early 60s, as Müller knows. He has been coming to Thal for many years, not only because he is a passionate collector of classic cars, but also because the Kumhausen native has now joined the Kirchberg association as a member.

For the Mittermayer family from Niederding, on the other hand, everything was new. "Gigantic," said Michi Mittermayer when he was on his way back to their two classic cars with his wife Conny and sons Alois and Xaver. "I am very convinced, not only of the meeting, because we were also in the museum and looked at everything," said the owner of a hotel with many guests from the classic car scene. He even offers travelers a workshop with a lifting platform. The 50-year-old Fiat 500 and the 1977 Porsche in which they came to Thal are just two of seven historic vehicles they drive themselves. "It's gotten a bit out of hand," said Conny Mittermayer with a laugh, adding that her Fiat, still equipped with a small, original Italian parking disc, was for sale.

For example, some parts, perhaps entire vehicles, but certainly many tips were exchanged at the classic car meeting in Thal.