Story and photos by Bob Cullinan
Automobiles are designed to move people and possessions from one place to another, and occasionally compete in races. But every now and then, an event comes along that changes the perception and possibilities of what you can…and should…do in a car. You’ll never look at snow and ice the same way after seeing the priceless classics drive and drift across Lake St. Moritz at The ICE.
1934 Bugatti Type 57 “Tank”
The International Concours of Elegance (The ICE) is two days of historic auto worship in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Day One is devoted to observing and judging the static cars. But on Day Two your heart begins to beat faster, watching these multi-million dollar machines slide and swerve across the frozen surface of the lake.
These cars have seen it all and done it all…Formula 1, Mille Miglia, Targa Florio…but most have never been on a racecourse like this. The ice atop Lake St. Moritz ranges from 50 – 70 cm (20 – 28 inches) thick. And a fresh dusting of powder softens the surface.
Studs and spikes in the tires add a bit of traction, but getting good grip is still a major issue at The ICE.
This 1952 Ferrari F500/625 has two carburetors, four cylinders…and hundreds of tire studs.
The lightweight 1963 Lotus 24 had to make an evasive maneuver to avoid an official ICE photographer.
This Bugatti Type 59 GP won the coveted “Best in Show” honor at The ICE, but the car’s narrow tires didn’t get the best traction on the frozen lake.
Countersteering helped, but this 1929 T37A Bugatti was having a tough time, too.
Fangio’s Maserati 250 F never faced conditions like this.
Nowhere else in the world could you watch a 1953 Ferrari MM lead Elvis Presley’s 1965 McLaren Elva through an icy snow-packed corner.
The background scenery is nearly as spectacular as the sight of this 1955 Ferrari 250 Europa sliding through the snow.
If you want to know what it really feels like to be a passenger in one of these classics, watch the faces of the people. The woman in the back of this 4.5-litre Bentley is clearly enjoying the ride.
…and so is the passenger in this Aston Martin DB4 Touring Superleggera.
…but the woman in the back of this Bentley may have other thoughts.
There’s an extra “passenger” in this 1950 Ferrari 166 Inter Pinin Farina…
…but don’t worry. It’s a toy, not a real dog, strapped to the luggage rack.
Look closely at the passenger in this 1969 Fiat Abarth 2000 Sport Spider. That familiar cowboy hat is the unmistakable signature of F1 legend Arturo Merzario.
Merzario wasn’t the only big-name driver at The ICE. Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson was behind the wheel of this Porsche 904, slip-sliding away at St. Moritz.
This Porsche 908/03 was built for circuits like the Targa Florio and the Nurburgring. It looks more like a snow plow at St.Moritz.
This rare Pegaso raced in the 1952 Monaco GP, but the car had to withdraw from that event due to overheating…something that was not a problem on the snow and ice.
The Pegaso paced a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB around the track.
The Lamborghini Miura, a poster child of the swinging ‘60s, looks picture postcard-perfect in this snowy setting.
The 1956 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa is one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
But attractive and traction are very different attributes.
This rare blue 1951 Ferrari 340 was campaigned at Le Mans and Sebring…a far cry from the conditions at St. Moritz.
There’s a drone following this Cooper T45!
This looks like a police pursuit. But it’s the 1982 Monaco GP pace car, an ‘81 Lamborghini Countach LP400S
In our final story from St. Moritz, we’ll have a video interview with pro driver Katarina Kyvalova. She tells us why The ICE is her favorite event…but there is an American race she’s longing to try.
Wonderful reportage, a total pleasure ! Thank you a thousand times for these fantastic photos on an extra-clear day like you can only experience in these snowy mountains !
Beautiful photograph
I’m somewhat confused. There is only supposed to be one Type 57G tank car, at the Simeone museum. Yet the tank car in the photos above are clearly not of the Simeone car (ie. rear wheel covers, red light lense, central headlight, black meatball and number). Has another tank car been unearthed or is this a tribute/replica car? Thanks.
Super photo dans un cadre sublime … Un grand merci Bob !
Ivar I was just about to ask that same question.
Wonderful photos, just a small correction: The 1950 Ferrari 166 Inter body is by Stabilimenti Farina not by Pininfarina.
All the best