The coronavirus pandemic might have halted our freedom of travel and locked down virtually all of Europe, but that hasn’t stopped The Houtkamp Collection in the Netherlands from ‘keeping calm and carrying on’. With the help of modern technology such as video conference calling, trade has thrived in the face of adversity. And Rutger Houtkamp and the team have been putting their spare time to good use.
On the occasion of King’s Day, the most celebrated and colourful holiday in the Netherlands, they took two Aston Martins – a DB2/4 MKIII from 1957 and a DB5 from 1965 – to the eerily deserted centre of Amsterdam. Encompassing such famous landmarks as the Rijksmuseum, the Royal Palace in Dam Square, the picturesque canals and Raadhuisstraat (usually the busiest street in the entire city), the whistle-stop tour provided a stark glimpse at the impact the wretched coronavirus has had on our lives. Needless to say, the handsome Astons cut sharp figures against the historic backdrop of Amsterdam. We sincerely hope that such a photo opportunity will never present itself again.
Photos courtesy of The Houtkamp Collection © 2020
