If you asked a fan of retro cars how his hobbies began, then you wouldn’t hear two identical answers. The story of our heroine began with the smoke from under the wheels of Hans Kleissl’s Mercedes Gullwing. About the happy coincidence of circumstances and the path from Moskvich to one of the most famous restoration companies in the world are in an interview with events&pr HK Engineering Iana Petrivska
-How did your fascination with retro cars begin?
-My fascination with retro cars started in a small village of 300 people in Ukraine’s Zhytomyr region. My grandfather was a combine driver, and I spent every summer in the fields with him, learning how machines worked and even helping him drive. Often, when tractors or combines broke down, we fixed them ourselves, with my grandfather’s deep knowledge of engines guiding us. At six, I was already familiar with car brands, thanks to my father, who had hoped for a son but shared his love of cars with me. Our first family car was an orange Moskvich. I learned to drive it at 10 and, by 12, was picking up friends for lake trips. Since I hadn’t traveled or seen big cities, I’d sit in that Moskvich, imagining myself driving through changing landscapes around the world.
Now, 15 years later, life has led me through many challenges and to HK-Engineering, one of the top Mercedes-Benz 300SL restoration companies. From that little Moskvich to classic cars today, my journey with cars has come full circle.
-You work at HK Engineering. Tell us how your co-operation with Hans Kleissl started and what’s your responsibility in the company?
-It’s a funny story with a twist! My husband, a passionate photographer, wanted to test a new Leica, so my friend Yuliya from Munich and I posed as models. A family friend, Peter, who’d worked with HK-Engineering for over 20 years, arranged a 300SL Gullwing for the shoot. I didn’t know much about classic cars—or HK-Engineering—back then, but Peter suggested I drive the Gullwing back to the garage after the shoot. Excited and maybe just a little too confident, I hopped in and drove about 30 minutes… with the handbrake on! As we pulled up, smoke poured from the back wheels, and the whole mechanics team rushed out, shocked to see a girl behind the wheel of Hans Kleissl’s private Gullwing, «Rubirosa».
They said I’d have to tell Hans himself, so I thought, ‘Great! First drive, first Gullwing, first time I break something!’ We went to Hans, he offered us a drink, and just laughed when I explained. He reassured me it was ‘fixable,’ and even admitted he’d done the same a few times. Instead of kicking me out, he invited me to join him on a rally from Munich to Kitzbühel the following week, saying, «Maybe I’ll even teach you to drive». That rally sparked something in me, reminding me of days driving with my grandfather, and I knew I wanted to stay in this world. I left my hotel job, first I started organizing events for Lions Run, and before I knew it, Hans asked me to help with event planning and guest relations at HK-Engineering. And that’s how I went from ‘the girl who broke the Gullwing’ to one of the team!
-Why «Miss Gullwing»?
-Well, about three years ago, Hans Kleissl introduced me to a former marketing manager from Mercedes-Benz, who jokingly said, «Why don’t you call yourself Miss Gullwing? You’re always filming and snapping pictures of 300SLs!». I thought, ‘Why not?». It felt like a fitting name, reflecting my enthusiasm for these iconic vehicles and connecting with others who appreciate them.
-You organize and participate in rallies. What is the most challenging thing for you in this job?
-The biggest challenge? Keeping my cool and pretending I’m totally calm when chaos hits! Rallies are like orchestrating a moving circus—there’s timing, routes, weather surprises, car breakdowns, and occasionally a driver who thinks roadbooks are just a «suggestion».’ You’ve got 30-40 cars roaring down scenic routes, everyone’s relying on you to know exactly what’s happening, and meanwhile, I’m just trying not to spill my coffee. But honestly, it’s all part of the game, and once everything clicks, it’s the best feeling in the world especially when everyone stays happy.
-Were any curiosities/funny incidents in your work?
-During Monterey Car Week in August 2024, we met Bill Heinecke, a car collector who often showcases his cars at Pebble Beach. While viewing part of his collection, he casually mentioned that his hotel in Rome was planning a celebration for Sophia Loren’s 90th birthday in September. Inspired, we suggested presenting her with the same Gullwing her husband, Carlo Ponti, once gifted her—the car she famously drove in the Rally del Cinema from Rome to San Remo. Bill loved the idea, and since we also had Fellini’s car, a close friend and collaborator of hers, we decided to bring it along as well.
The big event was held on September 20 in Rome, starting with a tribute to Loren’s incredible career at a cinema, followed by a rooftop dinner at the Anantara Hotel. As a nostalgic surprise, we presented her with the Gullwing and Fellini’s car on the way to the dinner. It was a moving moment for her, taking her back to iconic memories. At the request of the current owner, Loren signed the Gullwing’s hood, with Al Bano—her longtime friend—there to celebrate alongside us.
-How many events per year do you attend?
-We organize two HK-Rallies each year—one in spring and one in autumn, because who doesn’t love a good excuse to drive classic cars? On top of that, we dive into over 15 different car events, whether we’re behind the wheel or just enjoying the show. And here’s the most interesting part: from February 17th to 21st, 2025, we’re teaming up with our friend Zuzu, who was born in Oman, for an Oman HK-Rally! Picture this: 20 classic cars driving through stunning landscapes, exploring the local culture and history.
-Top 3 events you would advise for retro car fans to attend.
-The Goodwood Revival is a unique event worth visiting for its vintage atmosphere, with attendees dressed in 1940s-’60s attire and the venue transformed to match. You’ll see rare classic cars like Ferrari 250 GTOs and Jaguar D-Types not just on display, but racing on track. Beyond the cars, there are WWIl-era aviation displays and a vintage market with period clothing and memorabilia, offering something for car enthusiasts and history lovers alike.
Mille Miglia is Italy’s road trip: classic cars driving through old towns, all while locals throw a giant party. Only vintage cars from 1927-1957 can join, so it’s like a moving museum-with pizza, parades, and plenty of vino along the way!
Monterey Car Week and Pebble Beach are the ultimate playground for car lovers. Think ultra-rare classics, million-dollar auctions, and cutting-edge hyper- and supercars all in one place. The best part? Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where the fanciest vintage cars compete for «Best in Show» on a golf course overlooking the ocean. It’s high-end car heaven with a side of coastal California cool.
-Would you be interested in starting a sports team/club for women to get them involved in retro racing?
-I’d love to organize a rally inspired by the James Bond style, open to both women and men, where participants drive classic cars from city to city. The twist? Drivers and co-drivers will dress in stylish, vintage-inspired attire, channeling the elegance of classic Bond films. Each team will have «missions» or tasks to complete at different checkpoints along the route-think clue-solving, espionage-themed challenges, and puzzles that add excitement beyond just the driving. This rally would blend retro glamour with a sense of adventure, making it both a stylish and unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Let’s see when I can bring this vision to life!
-Apart from cars, you are passionate about sports. Tell us how the idea to create Sporty Crew came about?
-When the lockdown hit in Munich, I found myself stuck at home with the hotel I worked at closed for six months. With nowhere to go and only reading nearly exhausted, boredom set in fast. So, I decided to set myself a wild challenge: 178 days of workouts, starting January 1st till June 1st. My husband suggested I try the Freeletics app (bodyweight workouts only—no excuses!), and I went for it. I started working out every day and posting my progress on Instagram*. Soon, friends started asking if they could join in, and just like that, we had a virtual workout sporty crew! We’d all log in and they’d follow my lead—no fancy setups, just us, our screens, and lots of laughter. Faces came and went, but the energy stayed. Today, we’re still around 50 people strong, keeping each other motivated even though life’s picked back up.
*Meta Platforms Inc is banned in Russia