Geneva Motor Show cars

[felixkk]

We go for lunch frequently Felix, I'll get copies made of the originals and send them to you. There is a photo processing business in David's village.

That would be very much appreciated, thank you very much. Let us know how to reimburse you. And any anecdotes from Switzerland would be much appreciated!

[ajm541s]

Felix,
Have you ever met up with Edgar's exhibition stand designer Richard (?) Scherer? I last saw him at Edgar's funeral and so I am not sure he is still around. If he is, he should be able to provide more Geneva Show pictures and, more importantly, pictures of Edgar's Auto Accessory stands. Edgar became the largest accessory dealer in Switzerland which, together with franchises for Abarth, Lotus, Alfa Romeo at various times shows just how established he was.

[felixkk]

Thank you Tony! No, I was not aware. I googled Scherer Messebau and a Hans Peter Scherer was listed in the Canton Aargau (in Schlossrued), not far from Zurich. I phoned him up and he did confirm that he did the stands for Edgar Schwyn, but that he has nothing in his archive and that he is now retired. I asked him if he did the stands for Jensen at the Salon and he couldn't really remember and he was generally a bit vague and confused why I was calling. Based on his accent he seems to be originally from Germany- is that him?

[Frankoid]

Hi Felix. Is the picture below from Geneva? I think it is the red prototype.

[felixkk]

Francis this is spooky! look what I was just typing as your post apperared on the screen:
Someone remind me to look up Richard Calver's "All the Models" when I'm at home. I seem to remember that Richard mentioned a 541S was on display...

[Frankoid]

....spooky.... ! I found this picture on the web, and was intrigued by the styling similarities between the Jensen and the Maserati in the background.. especially the grille. According to Calver JM/EXP/102, the 541S LHD car was shown at Geneva in 1961, but this car is RHD !

[ajm541s]

Thank you Tony! No, I was not aware. I googled Scherer Messebau and a Hans Peter Scherer was listed in the Canton Aargau (in Schlossrued), not far from Zurich. I phoned him up and he did confirm that he did the stands for Edgar Schwyn, but that he has nothing in his archive and that he is now retired. I asked him if he did the stands for Jensen at the Salon and he couldn't really remember and he was generally a bit vague and confused why I was calling. Based on his accent he seems to be originally from Germany- is that him?

Yes, that's him, very sorry to hear that his memory is adrift. One of your show pictures shows the 1974 stand with the black rubber tiles, actually from Pirelli. Scherer was really proud of these, and we were taken especially to see them on the day before the cars were put on the stand. They looked impressive. Next day they were a real mess, because the BMW guys on the opposite stand had driven their cars onto the tillers, turned them round, destroying the layout, before backing their cars onto their own stand. And did they care?, Not even an apology. You can see that some tiles are badly fitted because unless we got the guys back to cvompletely relay the tiles, they could not be made to look as they did.
Do you have a copy of Edgar's 'Die auto Biographie'? There are pictures of Edgar's accessory stands in the book, up to 1995.

[felixkk]

Thank you Tony! No, I was not aware. I googled Scherer Messebau and a Hans Peter Scherer was listed in the Canton Aargau (in Schlossrued), not far from Zurich. I phoned him up and he did confirm that he did the stands for Edgar Schwyn, but that he has nothing in his archive and that he is now retired. I asked him if he did the stands for Jensen at the Salon and he couldn't really remember and he was generally a bit vague and confused why I was calling. Based on his accent he seems to be originally from Germany- is that him?

Yes, that's him, very sorry to hear that his memory is adrift. One of your show pictures shows the 1974 stand with the black rubber tiles, actually from Pirelli. Scherer was really proud of these, and we were taken especially to see them on the day before the cars were put on the stand. They looked impressive. Next day they were a real mess, because the BMW guys on the opposite stand had driven their cars onto the tillers, turned them round, destroying the layout, before backing their cars onto their own stand. And did they care?, Not even an apology. You can see that some tiles are badly fitted because unless we got the guys back to cvompletely relay the tiles, they could not be made to look as they did.
Do you have a copy of Edgar's 'Die auto Biographie'? There are pictures of Edgar's accessory stands in the book, up to 1995.

Thank you Tony! No, I didn't know an autobiography existed, but I have just found out who distributes them and have asked if there are any remaining copies. Francis- have not found a picture of that Maserati yet at the Salon...

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[felixkk]

PS those rubber tiles are still very cool. The Zurich airport used to have them, they were very much a part of leaving and coming back home when I was young!

[ajm541s]

I agree, but Dick Graves was horrified! Nothing but Wilton would do for him!

[felixkk]

I agree, but Dick Graves was horrified! Nothing but Wilton would do for him!

Wilton does send a bit of a different signal! But then again I also like the use of Formica on the dash of the C-V8. I've managed to order a copy of Edgar's autobiography, looking forward to that!

[felixkk]

Edgar became the largest accessory dealer in Switzerland which, together with franchises for Abarth, Lotus, Alfa Romeo at various times shows just how established he was

Here are some pictures from '65/'66 of Edgar's stand

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In 1976 he presented a Honda Civic with a custom interior:

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An LP with Elisabeth Schnell und Ulrich Beck discussing car accessories:

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The Schwyn Jensen-Healey wheels:

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[PaulMcElhinney]

Felix, John Lane has a copy of the album of photos provided by David Millard. There was a large album of motor show photos in the boardroom bookcase at Kelvin Way. When the receivers came in David took possession of it. If you speak to John he can have a look at the perfect copies that I had made for the club and tell you whether the Geneva show is featured.

[felixkk]

Felix, John Lane has a copy of the album of photos provided by David Millard. There was a large album of motor show photos in the boardroom bookcase at Kelvin Way. When the receivers came in David took possession of it. If you speak to John he can have a look at the perfect copies that I had made for the club and tell you whether the Geneva show is featured.

Thank you Paul, I'll give it a try! Much appreciated! Best regards, Felix

[felixkk]

Do you have a copy of Edgar's 'Die auto Biographie'?

I just received it, thank you Tony- I was not aware of the booklet

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