Heavenly old-timers at Stadtpark Revival

Roaring engines, racing in fifteen-minute intervals, memories of eras long gone come alive again. At the 16th Hamburg Stadtpark Revival, for one weekend, City Nord was once again transformed into an El Dorado for auto and motorcycle enthusiasts. Present at the starting line: ERGO as the partner of one of the most tradition-steeped events in German motor sport.

With the Concours d’Elegance ERGO presents the most beautiful of beauties from Stadtpark Revival on the terrace of the head office on Überseering. Automobile and motorcycle engineering masterpieces, and on the 2nd and 3rd of September, the ERGO terrace is one of the hot spots of the Old-Timer Festival. Those who want to have their picture taken in front of an original VW Bulli or try their fortune on the prize wheel are right at home at the ERGO booth across from the main Hamburg ERGO building. Of course, you’ll also find information about old-timer insurance here. OCC, the German industry leader in this sector and ERGO partner, is on board. Torsten Dahmke of the OCC distribution service sees a lot of potential in the business: “We realise that old-timers are sparking interest among an increasingly younger target group.” A highlight of the weekend: Driver's Night on Saturday evening at the ERGO Casino, a roaring celebration with Italian music and delicacies from the land where the lemons blossom.

Round course in the urban canyons

For the first time, the Hamburg Stadtpark Revival is taking place this year between the office buildings and not at a stone's throw away in the Stadtpark. And this is a good thing. Because there is a lot more to see here and more for the visitors to experience than ever before. To ensure this, the organisers put in a great deal of work. The round course in the urban canyons with its chicanes and narrow turns is perfectly plotted out. Breathtaking speed, overtake and break actions will take your breath away.

Round course in the City Nord

But that's not all. From the lovable, almost century-old “vintage car” to the 700 PS fireball, from the timelessly elegant Porsche 911 to the cute Fiat Cinquecento, the lovable VW beetle and the rocking duck Citroën 2CV, from the Bella Italia Vespa to the classic motorcycle racing combination, everything that will make the hearts of true fans flutter and their eyes tear up. The array of great names like Bugatti, Jaguar, Lotus, MG and Austin-Healey is endless, as there are more than 200 automobiles.

Leaps ahead in scoring points

The travel back through time takes you to an era when cars were still automobiles and those who drove them were pilots. No wonder that three of ERGO's employees didn't miss the chance to rev up to the starting line with their babies at the spectacular Hamburg old-timer meet-up. Michael Stehmeier is in the front seat of his 1965 VW 1600 TL with his driving partner Götz Diederichs. Taking the vehicle for a spin on a racetrack as opposed to strutting it around at a rather leisurely oldie rally is not an everyday occurrence for the two. “Our car is not really made for that. Luckily, the weather cooperated”, says Michael Stehmeier, slightly relieved but also quite satisfied. And in fact, it seems that the weather god showed great mercy on Hamburg and on the thousands who gathered for the event: Bright sunshine and summer-like temperatures are a true scarcity in the Hanseatic city. Having placed themselves far ahead in terms of scoring points with their way of driving has given them the positive feeling that they've done everything right.

On the track with ERGO

Joachim Meier heads to the start with his 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera. And confidently pilots the winners of the ERGO competition across the finish line. A driving opportunity that neither of them will certainly ever forget. As beautiful as the car is, it's too uncomfortable for such a long stretch, he reveals.

5,35 metres of pure Emotion

Finally, Gerhard Dorn takes part in the Concours d’Elegance with his eye-catching 1958 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88. And for good reason, as the 5,35-metre long Coupé with its eight cylinders and 6,2-cylinder capacity is packed with a breathtaking body, rich chrome, lustrous finish and pure emotion. Their 50-year long dream doesn't just end with their dream car. The clothing is naturally also original and authentic – and made in the USA.

By Martin Sulkowsky