Arne Jacobsen’s Tanken 2024 – A Supercar Surprise
SO CLOSE YET SO FAR AWAY
It is one of the paradoxes of the car event world. The visits at the remote villas at Lago di Como or the frozen lake of St. Moritz usually get planned long in advance. Calendars cleared, flights checked, hotels booked, press accreditations all sorted out. Yet – regardless of how classy and exclusive – those events represent only a fraction of what goes on in the classic car universe. The real action happens at the local car clubs and weekend “cars and coffee” meet-ups. Meet-ups in the likes of the one at the Skovshoved Petrol Station, much easier to get to.
Guilty as charged, I don’t visit my local car community often enough. However, at least once a season I make my way up to my favourite gas stations out there. Designed by famous Danish architect Arne Jacobsen in the 1930s and thoroughly restored in the early 2000s, it serves as a perfect background to display classic cars of the Zealand classic car group. And after all, it has gone through a similar renovation process to some of the cars visiting it every Saturday. Are you ready for a stroll?
A SUPERB SATURDAY LINE-UP
Check the weather forecast and you know whether the presents will rise up to the expectations. Sunshine in August is nearly a hundred-percent guarantee of a stunning line-up of cars and this time, it was no different. Parked directly underneath the characteristic red clock was a Porsche 356B, colour matching it. Just in front, sporting a bit more aggressive look was another frequent visitor – the Lamborghini Urraco. Not a bad duet to start with, is it?
Variety is the spice of life, so let’s add more to the mix! Parked in front of the café were two representatives of the British aristocracy – a beautiful E-Type coupé in British Racing Green and its roadster counterpart, this time in silver. Lift your eyes up and what you see is a trio of the classic open-tops from Maranello. From an early Ferrari 308 GTS, through its indirect successor – the 348 TS – all the way to an F355 GTS, everyone could find something to their tastes. In every colour they wished, as long as it was red!
Come back to where you stood in the first place and all of a sudden, you are looking at a different pack of vehicles. Filling up its tank with tasty 100-octane fuel was a G-Model 911, lining up beautifully with a rebel-rebel silver Porsche 356. Completing the line-up? Nothing else than a rare sight of an BMW E30 Baur. Spicing up the silvery theme was a classy Fiat Dino Spider painted in Blue Francia, contrasting nicely with the same white wall. Santorini vibes? Almost! Having spoken with the owner, the car has had an interesting history, including its participation in the Historical Rally Acropolis!
SAILING SKOVSHOVED – FROM ASHORE
As many cars already started heading home, I decided to take advantage of the warm weather and walk all the way up the breakwater to the entry waterway into Skovshoved Marina. Passing were members of the local rowing club, and even more people were enjoying their weekend at the Skovser Café, not even discouraged by the sight of cloudy skies on the horizon.
Despite the wind blowing just at the right magnitude to make for a decent sail, majority of the boats were moored in. Still, many owners enjoyed their Saturday’s lunch aboard, preferring the calmness of the port to the adventure waiting outside the safe haven. Far away, only a few racing boats sailed during their regular weekend class, bringing up the next generation of – who knows – maybe professional sailors. Enjoying the wonderful landscapes, I finished my coffee and was ready to head home. But when I returned to the station, an unexpected guest was waiting for me…
F1 BOLIDE OR STILL A SUPERCAR?
The shape seemed familiar from afar, yet so otherworldly. In front of the futuristic roof of the station stood nothing else than Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider. Produced in only 85 pieces ever, the car has a removable carbon fibre roof and rocks immensely cool butterfly doors. Needless to say, a hypercar like this immediately attracted tens of spectators, elating the younger enthusiasts much more than the vintage machinery parked at the station few hours earlier.
And it is stunning, I must admit! What Aston Martin built with great help of other companies such as Cosworth or Red Bull Racing is basically an F1-bolide made street legal. Its naturally aspirated V12 aided with a KERS-electric motor produces a jaw-dropping 1140 horsepower. If you consider its kerb weight of 1355 kilograms, you get a unique rocket. And boy, does it sound like an F1 car! Seeing it shoot away from the red light away towards Helsingør made me realise why the drivers wear communication headsets. An absolute beast of a car!
With the Valkyrie away, the station became quite empty. After all, lunchtime was approaching. Driving back, I once again was reminded I should pay a visit to this place more often.
Text & Photos: Adam Pekala ©
