New Glarus drive, October 2009

The names of the towns are beginning to sound familiar: Orfordville, Magnolia, Mt. Vernon, Little Norway, Forward.  We have, after all, taken this drive six times now, once each year the club has existed.  The awareness of having been here before fits the experience nicely, because this drive is a spiritual homecoming, a return to the things that have always made the 356 desirable.  The crisp air, the golden leaves, the unhurried pace, the curves and hills, the company of friends, all add up to a celebratory end to another driving season.

This year, there were only seven cars in the group, but almost every one carried a passenger to keep the driver company and maybe take a turn at the wheel.  The forecast of rain turned out to be a false alarm, and for most of the morning the sky was cloudless. We were lucky in the mechanical department as well, with a welcome absence of broken fan belts and disintegrated gearshift bushings.

What do you say we do this again next year?

Ron Felson with his answer to the question, "What's the best car to drive when your 356 is not quite finished being restored?"

photo by Paul Masanek




Keeping up with this crowd requires concentration.
photo by Paul Masanek




Every 356 driver's favorite road sign.
photo by Ken Smith




Stewart Park in Mt. Horeb, halfway to New Glarus.
photo by Ken Smith




The old familiar lineup.
photo by Ken Smith




Lynn, Nancy and Julia compare notes at the break.
photo by Eric Smith




That license plate had Tom expecting to find a four cam motor in there.
photo by Eric Smith




Lunch Swiss style at the New Glarus Hotel.
photo by Eric Smith


Return to top.