For us, the Prewar Days in the Xpo halls in Kortrijk are the end of the season. This immediately makes it a ‘real’ oldtimer enthusiast not to be missed.
Because even though I can appreciate the whole spectrum of automotive history, the prewar are in a class of their own for me.
The technology alone is often very basic but at the same time sometimes very refined. Look for instance at the Bugatti Type 35, which is highlighted here because of its centenary.
Bugatti Type 35
The Bugatti Type 35 featured a 2.0-litre 8-cylinder in-line engine with three valves per cylinder. The engine reached 6000 rpm and produced a whopping 90 hp. Today, they beat you to death with massive horsepower they may or may not get from electric motors. Feel free to dwell on the fact that 100 years ago, 90 hp was really not so obvious. As such, the Bugatti Type 35 was a special car that made quite a career out of racing.
A number of variants of the Type 35 were also built. The normal version was the Type 35a, the more powerful version with 128 hp was then the Type 35C. Some time later then came versions with a 2.3-litre engine, which carried the designation Type 35B and Type 35T. The latter was the rarest and won the Targa Florio in Sicily no less than five times in a row (1925-1929). In 1929, the Type 35T also won the Monaco Grand Prix.
Prewar Days inspirers, brothers Michael & Lawrence Bossaert
If you grow up in a family where prewar cars are a common thread, then the love for these machines is instilled with maturity. So in 2019, the idea came to Michael to organise a prewar event in Waregem.
After the first successful edition, it was soon decided to move to a larger venue. It became the Xpo halls in Kortrijk. And then came covid…and everything was cancelled.
Fortunately, the brothers know how to tackle things and in 2022 they were back, and it was worth seeing.
Niche
Prewar cars are more of a niche within the whole vintage car scene. The reasons are obvious. The cars have all passed the 70s by now, some have been acclimatised but, above all, production volumes were very low at that time. From some brands, you can sometimes count the number of vehicles produced on one hand.
Special technique
I mentioned briefly at Bugatti that many of these cars have often sophisticated engineering. However, if something breaks, you can’t just walk into a garage for a replacement part. Often, the part no longer exists and has to be custom-made. Fortunately, there are a fair number of high-quality restoration shops in our small country. And it is thanks to these specialists that this heritage is kept driving.
Restoration
Sometimes part of a restoration can be done by a handy Harry. However, making a new camshaft or drive rod is already not for everyone, let alone a whole engine block.
A while ago I visited the HCS workshop in Wommelgem where they can produce almost any part themselves. Of course, HCS is not the only restoration company, there are also LMB, Jansen Restaurations, Arie-Jean and quite a few others I forget here….
Apart from the companies that specialise in the mechanical side, there are also some that tackle the inside of your car and make it brand new (or better than new) again.
Clubs
At almost every indoor event we will come across a number of clubs, here it is no different. we saw the Royal Veteran Car Club, the Bugatti Club Belgium, the Club des Teuf Teuf Veteran Car France, the Amilcar Club Netherlands, the Tacot Club Mouscronnois and the R.A.C.FL
Motorbikes
By wheels-and-things a little underexposed. Perhaps because it interests us a little less but there is also simply less knowledge within our team. That does not alter the fact that motorbikes have also made an important contribution to our mobile heritage.
Therefore, there is always a nice range to see and buy during the Prewar Days.
So we saw this 1936 Bömerland Volksmodel of which only three are currently known. This is a Czech motorbike of which a total of about 2,000 were produced between 1923 and 1939. It featured a 600cc single-cylinder engine and later even a 350cc two-stroke. A special feature of these bikes was the long chassis so that a large saddle could be mounted on it. Most of them had room for three people. There were also models made for the police and they could even fit five on them, it must have been a sight we think 😉.
Old and new parts
A prewar event without parts is like a pub without beer. So parts were plentiful here. Mostly under the heading ‘used but still good’, there was choice in abundance.
But also new parts could be found. These were often serviceable parts such as brakes, filters, etc.
Restorers who sometimes make limited series of parts which they then offer. These are usually rather special parts such as a complete engine block, cylinders, crankshafts, etc.
Bonhams
Auction house Bonhams was also in attendance. They had a Bugatti Type 35 at their stand and I had already spotted Gregory in the hall, perhaps looking for cars suitable for auction.
Furniture maker
Prewar Days is obviously primarily about cars but we also have many car-related things on display. I already mentioned the parts but when I passed Atelier Stéphane Carton I stopped for a moment. Stéphane is not just a furniture maker, he really does make unusual objects. So here you can see the stern of a Bugatti made as a comfortable seat.
In the background, you can also see a wall unit inspired by a dashboard. Real works of art if you ask me.
Miniatures
AMF Modelcars is present every year and, like some of its colleagues, it does set the bar very high in terms of finishing. The finished models are therefore real works of art. Above you can see a model of the Pegaso Tipo 102 or Enasa berlinetta, which was among the first Pegaso’s produced. If you want to know more about Pegaso, you can find an extensive article via THIS LINK.
Memorabilia
Car-related memorabilia is unmissable at indoor classiccar events. At Prewar Days, too, there is a large selection on offer. Whether you are looking for a radiator cap with ornament or a large poster of a race from days gone by you will find it all here. And here and there you can certainly get a bargain but every now and then you have to open your wallet firmly too.
And that it is not just for the car proves the magneto above. It evoked memories because as a little guy, I regularly gave my grandmother an electric shock with a similar device. I don’t think she got anything out of it and I didn’t hear her complaining of rheumatism 😂.
Museums
During the Prewar Days, some museums are also present with a stand every time. This way, they try to warm up visitors to visit their museums and I can only recommend it. Winter is the perfect time for this because our oldtimers are usually stationary for a while then anyway.
We saw the Bossart Oltimer Museum and Mahymobiles musee de l’auto. Both are well worth a visit!
Conclusion
Jump in your car and rep to the Kortrijk Xpo halls for the Prewar Days, you won’t regret it. You can still order your ticket online via THIS LINK or just pay on the spot.
