Two classics in focus – Bidders Highway at the King's Rally and the Classic Car Festival
Summer may be drawing to a close, but for classic car enthusiasts, the season is far from over. Our Head of Auctions, Erik, recently had the privilege of attending not just one, but two extraordinary events in a single weekend – the prestigious Kungsrallyt on the Swedish island of Öland and the Classic Car Festival at Classic Car House in Copenhagen. Two gatherings that, in their own ways, celebrate automotive history, passion, and the community that surrounds collector cars.
Royal Tradition on Öland
The first stop was Kungsrallyt, an exclusive vintage car rally that has been held since 1997 to commemorate the King’s 50th birthday. On that occasion, the King was presented with a 1946 Volvo PV60, a gift funded through donations from car enthusiasts across Sweden. To this day, only those who contributed to that gift are eligible to participate, making it a truly unique event.
Bidders Highway's Toyota Century attracted many curious visitors as usual, and surely this Japanese luxury car blends in well among various Bentleys and Jaguars?
With the royal couple at the heart of the festivities, the rally blends nostalgic charm, competitive spirit, and camaraderie. This year’s field featured a stunning lineup of cars – from a majestic 1934 Cadillac V16 Convertible to a one-owner DeTomaso Pantera boasting more than 550,000 kilometers on the odometer, a true time capsule on wheels. Naturally, an iconic Mercedes 300SL “Gullwing” in pristine condition also graced the event. What made it even more special was seeing several cars that had previously changed hands through Bidders Highway.
We extend our warmest thanks to the organizers, participants, and of course Their Majesties the King and Queen for another unforgettable Kungsrallyt. We are already looking forward to the next one.
Festival Atmosphere in Copenhagen
From Öland, the journey continued south to Copenhagen, where Classic Car House hosted their annual Classic Car Festival at Sorgefrid Castle. Bathed in sunshine, the castle grounds filled with hundreds of cars and visitors. With food trucks, live music, and the buzz of the crowd, the atmosphere was as festive as it was passionate.
Judges moved carefully through the lineup, scoring cars in different categories, with the winners driving up on stage to present their prized machines. Among the standouts were Classic Car Garage’s own Shelby Daytona Coupé, a powerful 1966 Ford GT40 tribute, and a coveted 1973 Porsche Carrera RS 2.7. Our own Toyota Century was, as expected, a crowd favorite and drew plenty of admiration throughout the day.
This was our first time attending Classic Car Festival – and certainly not the last. The event proved not only to be well-organized and vibrant, but also a clear testament to the strong culture of classic cars across the Nordic region.
Two Sides of the Same Passion
The weekend offered two very different but equally remarkable ways to experience automotive history. In Öland, a traditional rally steeped in royal heritage; in Copenhagen, a festival brimming with international flair. Together, they served as a powerful reminder of the passion for classic cars – a passion that unites enthusiasts everywhere.
Until next time!
The Team at Bidders Highway