Vintage car fascination: memories and stories in Welzheim!

Vintage car fascination: memories and stories in Welzheim!

On October 5, 2025, the Bethel retirement home in Welzheim celebrated a special event on the occasion of German Unity Day that recalled the good old days. A vintage car exhibition took place in the home's park, with vehicles such as the Fiat Isetta, a red BMW 1802 as well as an NSU Prinz and a Mercedes from 1953 on display. These old vehicles brought back nostalgic memories for the seniors, who shared their personal stories about the first cars.

Among the visitors was 86-year-old Peter Linzmair, who was accompanied in a wheelchair by a nurse. He remembered his BMW 1802, a model from 1972. Linzmair talked about his first BMW, a 1602, which slipped into a river and was totaled. This memorability was part of an emotional connection to his previous vehicles.

The importance of classic cars

The BMW 1802 belongs to Thomas Stärk, who has been driving the car for 38 years and considers it part of his family history. These classic cars not only bring back memories, they also represent an entire phase of life and leave a lasting impression on seniors. Erik Büchel, a board member of the Rems-Murr Classic Car Friends, emphasized how important these vehicles are for people. A total of 14 classic cars were brought to the event to awaken memories and promote exchange.

The idea for this meeting came about during the Corona pandemic and was brought to life by Carola von der Heide-Frey, the head of social care at Bethel Welzheim. The Rems-Murr Classic Car Friends Association actively supported the implementation of the idea. Some seniors even had the opportunity to take a short ride in the classic cars, while others preferred to stay on site to chat.

The BMW 1802 in detail

The BMW 1802, as seen in the exhibition, belongs to the BMW 02 series, which was produced between April 1966 and July 1977. This mid-range series was located below the New Class and was based on the 1600 model. The vehicles in the series were only offered with four-cylinder engines (engine type M10) and included various models, including the names 1502, 1600-2, 1602, 1802 and many more. What is particularly noteworthy is that the BMW 1802 was also successful in racing, particularly in the German Racing Championship.

The emotional stories and the passion of the seniors for their vehicles testify to the deep connection to the automotive past. The day in Welzheim was not only a look back at times gone by, but also a lively exchange of life stories.