Berlin and the Classic Car
Posted on Aug 28, 2011 under Automotive | No CommentBeing in another city for even a short length of time has obvious rewards to anyone who’s traveled to parts unknown. Once the feeling of being a stranger in a strange land goes away, or at least softens a bit, there are some extraordinary things that happen outside the usual comfort zones. New perspectives, learning words in a new language, and finding interesting local delicacies are always on the itinerary.
But for someone who’s also got an interest in vehicles, there’s another huge bonus. The further from home, the more exotic the vehicles get. Local versions of custom tires can have similarly contemporary technologies, but they are quotations of another version of the past. Local versions of a more familiar car can look radically similar and remarkably different in the same moment. This can be one of the most jarring experiences, and often becomes a moment that can encapsulate what travel is really all about: For a moment, the world looks entirely familiar, but closer inspection reveals that there is a vast unknown between the here and the there.
Berlin is one of the more remarkable places in the world for its long and complicated history, and the same history makes it a fantastic spot for car lovers. The ultimate in vintage classics might come together in a very concentrated form at Meilenwerk, where one can see plenty of old cars in once place. There are experts and weekend mechanics around who have the same kind of interest in discount vintage tires that the traveler might have, and this can make for some very fulfilling and revealing cultural exchanges. Car talk does indeed translate across the oceans.
It’s not mandatory to visit the Meilenwerk complex to get a dose of local classics, however. In many parts of Europe, and particularly those parts close to Eastern Europe, old cars are not always a product of nostalgia, but come from a much more utilitarian sensibility. Many of the old cars and bikes on the streets have been maintained because of issues of scarcity. There is also a great love for the well-made object, and all of these are on display, making the world simultaneously smaller and vastly more interesting. It might be important to point out that here, most of the locals under a certain age have studied English in school from a very young age, so the language barrier is not so much of a problem, and engaging in car talk can be the beginnings of a beautiful friendship.
