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From fields to hotel lobbies: Adventures at the BeForty Rally 2025
At this point, it might as well be an official tradition: sneaking off with an Austin Seven in the middle of the night. Once again this year, the trusty Box Saloon from Siefers Opticum found itself at the center of the mischief. Its owner barely raises an eyebrow anymore—after all, his beloved Seven was whisked from the parking lot, mysteriously appeared in a field in front of the hotel, then popped up in the hotel lobby (hand-in-hand with a Seven Nippy, naturally), before finally being recovered near the electric-car charging stations the next morning. The humor didn’t exactly rise above football locker room level—and honestly, that’s half the charm of the BeForty Rally.
If you’re not familiar with BeForty yet, here’s the formula:
Take one hundred young enthusiasts (all under forty), add fifty pre-war cars, mix them into a beautiful European setting for a weekend, and let the magic happen. It’s about the cars, yes, but even more about the people and the unbeatable atmosphere.
After kicking off in the Netherlands and roaming through Belgium and France, the rally set its sights on Germany this year—landing in the scenic little town of Melle.
The move brought a breath of fresh air—and a wave of new faces. For anyone still claiming that young people aren't interested in vintage and classic cars, we’ve got news: registrations sold out in thirty minutes flat, with a hefty waiting list for those who blinked. Young drivers and old cars? Turns out they’re a perfect match.
And the weekend itself? Utterly unforgettable.
A fantastic atmosphere, gorgeous 150-mile routes over two days, and organisers who knew that real magic happens when people connect. Morning stops were low-key affairs out in the fields—no polished stages, just good conversations and lots of laughter. Highlights included the "German Evening" where Lederhosen and Dirndls were mandatory—and no, sticking to traditional sex-based rules was absolutely not.
What made it even better was the sheer variety. Seasoned BeForty veterans mingled effortlessly with first-timers. Some drove borrowed beauties; others proudly wheeled out their own. From wide-eyed rookies taking their first spins in a pre-war car, to seasoned professionals from the vintage car world—everyone shared the road (and the laughs).
At one end, you had a majestic 1905 Star, with a roaring 10-litre four-cylinder overhead-valve engine that echoed across the sleepy German countryside. At the other end, a 1940 Alvis 12/70—proudly driven from England to Germany under its own steam. A special mention goes to brothers Angus and George Johnson, who also braved the journey in their own wheels from Ireland in the family Alfa Romeo 6C. Now that’s dedication!
And next year? The BeForty Rally will take on its biggest adventure yet—crossing the Channel and rolling onto English soil!
If you're under forty and your heart’s starting to race a little faster, don't hesitate—reach out. We'll happily add you to our WhatsApp group, where you’ll hear about upcoming rallies, pop-up events, and a whole community of young vintage car lovers who are very much alive and kicking.
Because if one thing’s certain after this weekend, it’s this: the next generation of classic car enthusiasts isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving.
Text by Laurens Klein, Photos by Morris Klein-Laarman, ruetters_net and Sofie Verheyden
Published:
Wednesday April 30th, 2025
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Comments
Ing. Heinz Barnerth
04 May 2025, 12:34
Great report, very good photographers at work. This event exudes an exceptionally pleasant and friendly atmosphere, which we need for our classic car future.
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