The annual Swiss Classic British Car Meeting is held on the first Saturday of October on the shores of Lake Geneva in western Switzerland. Each year, around 1,200 classic British cars attend the free show. In 2024, the meeting is again in beautiful St Prex (and no longer in nearby Morges).
The Swiss Classics British Car Meeting is held annually in October on the shores of Lake Geneva. Recently, the show moved from Morges to beautiful St Prex near Lausanne. Owners of British classic cars are invited to park their cars for free in the parks, streets, and on the quays of St Prex for visitors to admire and reminiscent of a bygone era. Cars range from classic Rolls-Royces and Daimlers to simpler Vauxhalls and Minis. Car models, that celebrate a special milestone, e.g. 50 years since launch, are specifically invited each year and displayed in an exclusive area. Exhibiting and viewing are free — the event is refreshingly uncommercial.
In 2024, the 32nd Swiss Classic British Car Meeting will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 10 am to 10 pm in St Prex, Switzerland. All cars are on show until at least 4 pm. MG is being honored as Morris Garage is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Swiss Classic British Car Meeting in St Prex near Morges
The Swiss Classic British Car Meeting provides a lovely day out for owners of British classic cars, as well as visitors with even just the slightest interest in historic cars. Owners show off their cars while visitors can admire classic British cars close up.
The meeting of British classic car owners in St Prex (previously in nearby Morges) is now well into its third decade and generally keeps growing. Annually, around 1,200 cars are expected.
There are only very few rules and requirements but in contrast to previous practice, free registration for exhibiting a British car has become essential in recent years.
Rules for Showing a Car at the British Classics in St Prex
The emphasis of the British classic cars meeting is on fun and relaxation. Rules and regulations are at a minimum. Costs for both owners and visitors are zero.
The basic rule is that the show car should be British and older than 35 years. Condition and class are immaterial, as long as the car is in a roadworthy and driveable condition. Modern British sports cars and exotics are allowed at the committee’s discretion if it is special enough — modern Land Rovers, Range Rovers, Jaguars, and Minis are no longer admitted.
On the Classic Car meeting Saturday, most access roads to St Prex are blocked. Only one access road is open to exhibitors, who must be able to show the registration QR code. All other cars are refused entry into the small village — follow directions to visitors parking (P Visiteurs) or more sensibly, arrive by train.
Except for the special anniversary of show cars, there are no reserved parking areas for different cars. The classic cars are spread through small St Prex’s ancient streets and town squares, the quays, and parking lots at modern sports facilities.
Other than parking their car and displaying the car’s basic information such as make, model, age, and history, owners have no other formal responsibilities to attend to apart from not being allowed to leave St Prex earlier than 4 pm. No competitions or formal meetings are actually held.
Visiting the Swiss Classic British Car Meeting in St Prex
The Swiss Classic British Car Meeting is usually held on the first Saturday of October on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. For years, the show was in Morges but recently moved a few kilometers (OK, miles for participants) closer to Genève in beautiful, small St Prex. Admission is free for both exhibitors and visitors.
The car show runs from 10 am to 10 pm. However, participants may arrive at any time but not leave from St Prex earlier than 4 pm. A good time for visitors is around noon or early afternoon when the display is at its largest.
The variety and quality of cars on display can be quite astonishing. Simple original Minis abound but historic Rolls Royce, Bentley, and Daimler limousines are surprisingly well-represented too. MGs are very popular and celebrate the marque centenary in 2024. Several DMC De Lorean “Back to the Future” cars as well as other rarities can surprise and delight visitors.
Although most cars are from Switzerland, British cars arrive from all over Europe for this event, as is obvious from the large number of foreign number plates. At recent meetings, cars from England, France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain joined the Swiss owners.
Buying and selling are not actively encouraged but a few cars will display “for sale” signs. The show is also a good opportunity to meet with other enthusiasts while specialist industries have exhibitions and can provide useful contacts for spares and restoration. Advertising is generally prohibited — except by sponsors — making the event delightfully uncommercial.
Concession stands and food trucks sell basic food and drinks. St Prex has only a small number of restaurants making a picnic also a good idea, or visit the restaurants in nearby Morges.
Public Transportation to St Prex in Switzerland
As only the participating and pre-registered British cars are allowed to enter St Prex on the day of the Swiss Classic British Car Meeting, parking comes at a premium. Follow the directions to the visitor parking (Parking Visiteurs) outside the small village.
Few would regret using public transportation to St Prex on British classic cars days. Or go by bicycle — many fine cycling routes lead here.
St Prex is a stop on the frequent R5 and R6 (RER / S-Bahn trains). Traveling times on these trains to St Prex are around 5 minutes from Allaman or Morges, 10 minutes from Renens, and 20 minutes from Lausanne main train station.
From Geneva, the fastest train option is available at least hourly: Intercity train to Morges, and change to the R train back to St Prex for a total traveling time of around 33 minutes. At least twice per hour, it is possible to take the Regional Express train from Geneva and change at Allaman for a total traveling time of around 50 minutes to St Prex.
From other parts of Switzerland, change to the R5 or R6 train in Morges, Renens, or Lausanne. These trains are available at least twice per hour.
With spare time between connections, it is fun to explore Morges where the Swiss British Classic Car Meeting was held for many years. The mighty Morges castle houses four museums, while its quays and parks have some of the best views of Lac Léman and Mt Blanc. Morges is famous for its display of dahlias on its well-maintained lakeside promenades, as well as the beautiful tulip festival each spring.
A beautiful way to travel and arrive in St Prex is on a CGN Lake Geneva passenger pleasure boat. On the first Saturday of October, two boats per day connect Geneva and Lausanne via St Prex. Traveling time to St Prex by boat is around 3 hours from Geneva, 90 minutes from Nyon, and an hour from Yvoire and Lausanne. Boat and train combinations are easy to book, or simply buy two separate tickets.
Vintage Swiss-built cars can be seen in the Lake Geneva region in a small section of the Pierre Gianadda Foundation in Martigny.