Porto, 03 - 05 October 2014
The 12th edition of the Auto Classico classic car show was held
over the weekend of 03-05 October in the Exponor exhibition
complex, located a short distance from Porto airport. As part of
the show, there was a race track and paddock, where a variety of
predominantly rally cars did flame spitting, rubber burning and
waste gate popping and banging runs, through the course of the
weekend. As part of the external features of the show there were
displays by various one make or model clubs, who also
participated in tours around the city in convoy at various times
during the weekend. These included Porsches, BMW M series
cars, Lancia Delta Integrales, Citroen Traction Avants and DS
models, plus MGs.
The show also featured displays celebrating a number of
anniversaries, including 110 years of Rolls Royce, with a nice
display of models from the early days through to the sixties.
There were a trio of Citroen anniversaries, 80 years of the Traction
Avant, 60 years of the DS model and 40 years of the CX model,
whilst the Clube Scuderia Rampante, celebrated 30 years of the
Ferrari Testarossa with a two car display in pavilion 2. There was
another twin car display close by of a pair of Mercedes-Benz 300
SL “Gullwing” coupes, celebrating that model’s 60th anniversary,
plus exhibits featuring the golden jubilee of the Ford Mustang and
Fiat 850, whilst a fine display of MGs marked that company’s
90th anniversary.
However, it was not only about anniversaries, as there was a fine
display of cars by various single marque clubs, professional
organisations like restoration shops and vendors, with a wide
variety of offerings, ranging from pre-war American leviathans to
sixties Mini Coopers, with a number of various motorcycles and
scooters thrown in for good measure. For those of a sporting
nature, probably the nicest display was that of the Rallye de
Portugal, which featured a trio of Martini liveried Lancias, an
example of the spectaclar Delta S4 on the starting ramp, flanked
by a pair of Integrale HF models. There was a hall dedicated to
spare parts, memorabilia, books, scale models, art and the like,
which is an integral part of any classic car show, and from the
number of people browsing the stands was well received. Auto
Classico may not have the international recognition of shows like
Tecno Classica or Retromobile, but it is a quality show, and
proves that the classic car scene is alive and well in Portugal.
|
