Czech “Route 66” event draws hundreds of American vintage car enthusiasts

Příbram, southern Bohemia, was transformed into a motorists’ paradise this weekend when the town hosted its annual “Route 66” car parade. The event brought together hundreds of veteran cars and motorcycles and attracted enthusiasts from across the region.

From early morning, the Blue Moon Club band set the tone on T. G. Masaryk Square in Příbram, while visitors mingled among rows of vintage machines—Cadillacs, Mustangs, and veteran motorcycles - between 350 and 400 gleaming veterans altogether.

Antonin proudly showed us his 1970s Cadillac  -the biggest car there.

Cadillac|Photo: Žofie Nováčková, Czech Radio

“I first saw it as a little boy, a schoolkid, in a brochure. I dreamed about it my whole life, and in 2007 I finally managed to get it from a man who imports American cars here. This particular model was brought over from California –the promised land for motorists, because it doesn’t rain there, there’s no frost, and lots of sunshine. So the car was in great shape and we didn’t really have to do much with it –just gave it a new roof covering, because the old one had worn out over time. This model is from 1974, and it’s the third veteran in the family, our third hobby car.”

Jiří, another participant in the “Route 66” event, proudly presented his Lincoln.

Lincoln|Photo: Žofie Nováčková, Czech Radio

“I love it, I drive American cars, and I got myself this one as a retirement present. It’s a Lincoln Continental, with eight cylinders and a column-shifted 3-speed manual transmission. It’s like a big ship, a classic American car. It’s the kind of car for presidents and poor artists, I’d say. I’m a musician, so it's just right for me.”

The event followed a now well-established format. In the morning the square filled with registered vehicles, turning the town center into an open-air exhibition of polished chrome and roaring engines. Visitors were free to walk among the cars, meet their owners and soak up the atmosphere before the highlight of the day—the ceremonial drive along Příbram’s “Route 66” .

The Czech “Route 66”, which leads from Příbram to the nearby town of Milín, measures just under 7 kilometers and is considered the shortest “Route 66” in the world. Despite its modest length, it has built a strong reputation since its inception and remains a firm fixture in the calendar of motoring events.

It was established as a tribute to the legendary American Route 66, which connects Chicago and Los Angeles and has become a cultural symbol of freedom and travel. In 2026, the iconic highway marks its 100th anniversary, adding further resonance to this year’s gathering.