By Guest Author; Mark Wrey.
December 20th, 2024, London: The crisp December air buzzed with anticipation as five remarkable pre-war cars gathered outside the prestigious Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall. This wasn’t just a casual meet-up; it was the start of The Trundlers’ annual Christmas adventure – a private group of motoring enthusiasts with a shared passion for vintage beauty.
The impressive lineup included:
A distinguished 1928 Alvis 12/50
A powerful 1928 Bentley 4.5 litre
A historic 1928 Alfa Romeo 6C, a veteran of the legendary Mille Miglia
A graceful 1933 Alvis Silver Eagle 20
And a charmingly petite 1936 Fiat Balilla 508s
After a hearty dinner, the five classic machines and their intrepid crews set off towards Dover, a brief overnight stop before their morning ferry to Calais. The European leg of their journey was about to begin, destination: Antwerp and the eagerly awaited “100 Miles of Antwerp” Oldtimers night rally. A delightful lunch break in the picturesque town of Damme, near Bruges, offered a welcome pause – especially for the occupants of the two open-top cars battling the decidedly damp weather!
Antwerp greeted the Trundlers at the Van der Valk Hotel for the pre-rally checks at 5:30 PM. A quick refresh and a bite to eat prepared them for the 8:00 PM rally start. The route, a scenic “tulip” navigation, guided them through Antwerp’s festively lit streets. The sight and sound of around 70 pre-war cars rumbling through the city, their vintage engines singing, clearly captivated the local onlookers.
A memorable highlight was a convivial stop at Cafe Welkom in the charming village of Harentals. The atmosphere transformed into a lively après-ski scene, offering warmth and much-needed refreshment. The second half of the rally continued the enjoyable drive, though a touch of late-night fatigue led to a few minor navigational blips, quickly corrected as the finish line at the starting hotel drew closer around 2:30 AM – the 100 miles successfully conquered.
The adventure culminated in a spontaneous after-party at the hotel, a chance to celebrate the shared experience. While immensely fun, the journey was undeniably tiring, especially with the early morning return to Calais and the ferry back to the UK looming.
In the end, a whirlwind of roughly 650 miles covered in just over a day, fueled by enthusiasm and a mere nine hours of sleep, made for an unforgettable pre-Christmas escapade. It was a vibrant demonstration of the enduring charm and remarkable capabilities of these magnificent pre-war cars, each a testament to a bygone era and all steadily approaching their centenaries.
