It’s Thursday, August 17, 2014 and Sillens cafe is open with Jan and Fia Silén’s cars filling the courtyard. by Lars Krantz. Translation Stefan Blautzik.
Silén a welder during his career is from Sörfjärden, Gnarp, Hälsingland.
Nowadays the old mans retired. But for most people who know him think the very opposite. Jan spends his time playing in his garage. Working on everything from cars, old telephone boxes, and Chromed candy machines.
Click on the pictures to enlarge.
Sillens cafe, covered from floor to ceiling in Americana style. With hand made sofas and jukeboxes adding on to 50’ish vibe, there also stands two old mannequins finishing up cafe. the The T.V. named Ludo strainer.
Regardless of the Swedish surroundings, this place is a little slice of 50’s America.
Swedish trees “Björkarna” structure his handmade benches while the remodeled farm serves as a classic parking lot. Bengans LaSalle, driven straight from a car show sits amongst the group. Asking how the car did, I spot a giant trophy. “He won”, Bengan says looking over his new and giant mantel piece.
1928 Chevy owned by Christopher Smith from Bergsjö. “Nice to see Young Guns taking the spotlight.” After a while the place is packed. Cars spilling into the street and down the shoulder.
A Sedan drives by who happens to be the neighbor. Poor guy has a mini car show going on in his front yard but nevertheless we sit like Vikings. Filling every table and bench available with coffee stains, bread crumbs and new memories.
Thinking the place was already packed I spot a caravan of 20 cars pull up. This being the third year of the late summer coffee and cars meet I myself am even surprised at how big the it’s gotten.
– How far away is the parking lot really, he says as he sits in front of the gas station.
Visitors sets record this evening. Multiple bonfires burn, fueling the life of the party.
Over 50 cars on a Thursday night at home in the garden…not bad for a “small” get together.
Ingemar Åsenlund awarded the trophy for the event by Kenth Andersson.
Coolest car, second-coolest car, and third coolest car get trophies but know one cares because everyone here’s a winner!
Bengan checking out Sillens past. An advanced garden art construstion that gets an article of it’s own!
Even with all the collector items, it’s the handmade ones and the stories that go with them that make them priceless.
Coffee is filled. Groups come and go at the tables.
Borje plus Edstrom setting impressions rolling in with his number 31 Cushion.
PLeater Jackets, old cars, and memories being made every where you look.
– Look another car, no one wants to leave.Titta nu kommer en bil till. Ingen ville gå hem.
-Have you seen the garage?- No?…
Nina Fors Ostlund came in a 1957 Buick with Krantz Challenge decal on the rear window.
– Mm, perhaps you should supplement your cruising cardigan with a more contemporary jacket.
Meet at the water pump. Thomas Jonsson had just gone home and brought back his pristine Impala -58
Mats Jonzon from Sundsvall received an award for his Cadillac Series 62 convertible, model year.
Cronje Hellberg and his award winning 1955 Packard Caribbean joined in on the fun also.
Nicklas Brolin and Danielsson tried to comprehend Urban Gustavsson’s award-winning Chevy “pickis” but could only say “ahhhh….I guess it’s URBAN??”
Gradually the cars begin to detach . Lillian Jörgenssen and Roger Sundfors leave topdown home to Näsviken.
– To much coffe? – Are you kidding me? -There’s no such thing!
I cought Sven Dehlin with his 1960 DeSoto at the end of the show!
