Livi - American Musclecars in Sweden

[fireant911]

Attention Markus: My wife and I were in Sweden last week. We spent time in Stockholm, Uppsala, Falun, Tallsburg, and Mora. Sweden is a beautiful country and I have never seen so MANY beautiful blonde-haired and blue-eyed women!!! During our time in Mora there was quite a number of older American musclecars on the roadways… we saw LOTS of these cars driving through the city as well as on the country roads - some were in groups while others were by themselves. We never saw any indication of a car show (just smiling drivers of some apparently well-maintained American tanks!). Given the expense of petrol there, I know that these probably were not cars that served as daily drivers! No announcement was ever seen mentioning any special holiday (other than the Sweden’s king’s birthday) so I am curious if car owners there normally cruise the countryside in these cars or if a national holiday was taking place???

Addendum: the windshield parking indicator paper clock used in Sweden is something that I have never seen before BUT I now understand how to use it properly... this was after we received a 400 kr parking ticket!!!

[asphaltgambler]

American muscle cars are as highly prized and sought after as we lust for exotic European cars here. Possibly more as there are huge hurdles in buying and importing non-OEM parts.

[Lund]

Bergen, Norway? Grew up there

[livi]

Good to hear you liked your visit to Sweden, Daryl! Mora is a part of the good old hillbilly territories of Sweden. The term "raggare" refers to a typical enthusiast of old American cars. Cruising is very big in those parts. Sometimes hundreds of good old American V8. I am not aware of any particular holiday at that time. Probably just the usual longing for the first spring days in that part of the country, making it possible to taking out the cherished gem for the premier tour of the season. The northern half of the country, which is also the most rural and least populated is where the musclecar tradition and culture is strongest. Cruising into the major cities will many times get you a dork stamp in the forehead.
I do love old American V8s. No sound will compare to that soapy, wet, gurgling roar.

[fireant911]

Dark Side,
Yes, you got me! - I got my countries mixed up and I have not even mentioned the time in Paris and Boudeaux on this trip. Thinking back, I now remember that we flew into Norway (via Bergen). We then went to Mydral on the train. Next, we the wonderful train trip to Flam and visited the Fjords. After leaving Flam we headed to Oslo for the plane to Stockholm. It was snowing very nicely at the Mydral station. That country certainly has a lot of tunnels. We saw quite a bit of stuff in two weeks!

Markus,
The date we were in Mora and saw all the beefy musclecars was last Monday (May 01, 2017).

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by livi

The northern half of the country, which is also the most rural and least populated is where the musclecar tradition and culture is strongest.

One of my cousins, in the northern town of Ornskolsdvik, is crazy about American muscle cars.

[masraum]

There's a car show in Sweden every year that I believe is the largest car show of American cars in the world. It's called "Power Big Meet," I believe.

POWER BIG MEET MOVES TO NEW LOCATION IN 2017!! : Power Big Meet

[Baz]

Love to see some pics if you have them, Daryl.....

Nice thread!

[livi]

Ah it was May 1. Thats a big holiday in Sweden.

[Holger]

Woah, memories!

[livi]

Jupp. Back in my youth, me and my brother were totally into American musclecars. Unfortunately our budget would only strech to 63 Chrysler Valiant with the 6 cyl engine. We loved it but were ever so envious of our friends V8s.

[Holger]

My nephew and me did a bike tour on Gotland approx 25 years ago, the whole Island was full of american cars for a meet. Back then we had the idea building our own hotrod. Now he is into selling and repairing highend cars and last time we chatted he brang up the idea again! :-D

[thamlin000]

My wife and I were visiting Sweden several years ago and couldn't believe the amount of old American cars roaming the streets of Stockholm. And a lot of those were four door classics that you just don't see often in the US; 4-door Chevelles, Pontiacs, Olds, Caddys, etc.

[livi]

Yup. Us Swedes always wanted to be as cool as you ´mericans.

[Holger]

Naaaaaahhhh

[sacer bonnie]

I'd like to visit Sweden someday, it is really a charming place to me, and especially I long to see the advanced car technology there.

[livi]

Better hurry up then. Before we are turned into an arab-islamic state. Last I looked the technological advancements in those countries have a stoneage resemblance. All blond hair will also be covered in large black sacks.

yes, I am furious. Sorry.

[Holger]

Oh cmon!

[livi]

Sorry. I did not mean to PARF it up. My bad.

[svandamme]

It's a thing in Norway and Sweden, very big fan of all things American.
Much more so then in the rest of Europe.

Suspect the long very dark winters have something to do with it.