Saturday’s Meet-up – Arne Jacobsen’s Station 2023
HELLO STYLISH STATION, IT’S BEEN A WHILE
It took more than two years - 742 days, to be precise – for me to return to a weekly petrolhead meet-up a few kilometres north of Copenhagen. Strange combination of life events and travelling interwoven with sometimes inopportune Danish weather made for rather a long break. So when I woke up in the morning and saw September’s aura in a kind mood, I knew where I ought to head for my morning coffee.
The usual Saturday’s Mekkah of every automotive enthusiast around the Danish capital is a gas station penned by the famous designer Arne Jacobsen. Located in Skovshoved it dates all the way back to 1936 and its oval roof shape is colloquially nicknamed ‘paddehatten’… the mushroom. Whilst the original Texaco pumps have been long replaced by the self-service Uno-X ones, the building now features a cosy, garage-style café. If it sounds like the perfect meet-up place – that’s because it is!
WEEKLY ENTHUSIAST MEET-UP LIKE NO OTHER
In my automotive life I have been to quite a few cars-and-coffee events and I need to admit the vehicles dropping-by the Danish coast are quite special. Parked right in front of the station was a sporty duo formed by a 1981 BMW M1 shod in neat Campagnolo wheels, accompanied by a 1994 Ferrari 348tb. The classic Ferrari V8 line-up was nearly complete with the 308 GTB at the side parking and a well-configured F355 GTS by the café-front.
Complementing well the German sports car selection was the 1971 BMW 2002tii Alpina. Upon arrival it tanked some tasty fuel to satisfy its two thirsty 45 DCOE Webers, only then to show-off its race preparedness in form of a roll cage and… a child seat! It is always encouraging to see the hobby uniting parents and their children. Adding to the pool were Porsche 911, 356 and a Speedster just to wrap up the vast array with an ultra-luxury 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600. Painted black, the SWB limousine looked simply majestic in front of the cream-tiled station.
The designer gas station serving good coffee might well be the perfect meet-up spot… Just look at the cars it attracts!
The third of the largest groups was represented by the British automobiles of many different sorts. Typically for Copenhagen, oh so populous in Jaguars, there were two E-types – both in coupe and roadster bodies. They were complemented by a very interesting Kougar kit-car, based on 1960s Jaguar S-type. I have never seen one before and as much as such vehicles are not my cup of tea, this one got me slightly enamoured. A very distinguished 1970 Rover P5B powered by a 3.5-litre V8 welcomed everyone by the drive in, whilst cute yellow Leyland Mini Mascot closed the stake.
THE SHINING STAR OF THE DAY
The crown jewel of this, let me underline once again, casual get-together could only be one. Parked in front of the station and the café banners was a distinguished 1932 Auburn Boattail Speedster. Highly original with just the paintjob refreshed, this pre-war car represents art-deco to the bone. Its long hood hides a 4.4-litre straight-eight generating around 101 horsepower. On top of the hood, a very shallow windshield teleports both the wind and eyes’ focus to the car’s signature boot shaped to resemble motorboat design from the past.
As you might know I am not a huge fan of pre-war cars, but this Auburn had me at hello. I loved every single part of it - the hood ornament, spare wheels secured with three leather straps on both sides of the hood and gently inserted into the sublime front wheel arches, tiny rev-counter clamped to the steering shaft or the stop tail-lights and historic Danish registration plates. A complete classic and a huge congratulations to its owner, Michael Anderson.
A STROLL DOWN THE NEIGHBOURING MARINA
When people started to drive home for lunch I ordered myself a flat white, paired it with a cookie and enjoyed the unique vibe this location has to offer. I did not realise how much had I missed this place, as I had been rather a frequent visitor when living in a close-by neighbourhood in Copenhagen.
After the well-deserved break I headed down to the Skovshoved marina. Walking down the piers I admired the yachts and the calmness of the harbour. Out in the open waters many took the opportunity of these rather perfect sailing conditions – dry but still windy day is quite an exception in late September. I inhaled the Baltic breeze and headed back. Thank you for such a warm welcome-back, AJ Tanken, it was a great morning!
Text & Photos: Adam Pekala ©
