73 cars compete in the AvD Histo-Monte

The german AvD Histo-Monte will start with the prologue next Tuesday (6.2.) on the market square of Rothenburg ob der Tauber at 5 pm. The first of the 73 participating vehicles are expected to return at around 7.20 pm. The second leg will start at 7.30 a.m. on Wednesday. The classic car rally organized by the Automobile Club of Germany will end after almost 1900 kilometers on 10 February (Saturday) with the finish on the Quai Rainier III in the port of the Principality of Monaco.

Walter Röhrl will also join the starting field on the final loop through the French Maritime Alps in an original Monte Carlo car. The two-time World Rally Champion and four-time Monte winner will then drive his Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 over the tracks on the Côte d'Azur once again after 38 years.

This year's AvD-Histo-Monte will see 23 car brands represented. Among others, two Austin-Healey MK 3000, a Datsun 280 ZX, various Volvo P 121 / 122 S, a Lada 2107 and an Opel GT 1900 Rallye will be competing. Also at the start are an MG C GT, a Peugeot 504 Coupé and Skoda Favorit "Rallye Monte Carlo". The largest car is a 5.50-meter-long Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Convertible. Starting number 1 belongs to the winning car of the last rally, a Skoda 130 LR from 1985, while the spearhead is a Lancia Stratos Gr. 4 in the iconic Alitalia design. In addition, three Lancia Delta Integrale cars in the equally striking Martini Racing livery will also be competing.

Once again, Porsche, BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz are among the most frequently represented brands. Twenty vehicles alone - from the 356 to the 968 - come from Zuffenhausen, including the oldest rally car (Porsche 356 A from 1957). The AvD will accompany the rally entourage with a service vehicle and an emergency ambulance. (aum)