TEXT: CARLOS SANZ / PHOTOS: WIDE PHOTO
In the classic Madrid scene, one of the concentrations that has taken on the greatest boom in recent times has been the one that is held every second Sunday of each month in the Chanoe Room, next to the NH Hotel of the City of the Image, in Pozuelo de Alarcón.
For some time now 'Classics in Chanoe', which is how the meeting has been called, it has a monographic character: Each month is dedicated to a specific brand or model. For example, last month it was the turn of the British manufacturer Triumph, again it was the BMW M3, the Mercedes SL 107 class ... etc.
This means that the cars that are exhibited inside the room and in the nearby parking lot will be related to the theme of the day, but the rest of the areas will be able to attend classic or unique vehicles of any other brand or model.
In addition to the room, Chanoe just opened an adjacent restaurant dedicated to the world of motorsport, in which it is planned, among other things, to actively support fan clubs. Little by little the owners of the complex are building a small motor town which aspires to become a benchmark for classic motor racing in Madrid. The meeting we are talking about today is your main event.
Do not confuse 'Classics in Chanoe' with 'American Chanoe', another gathering that, although it takes place in the same place, is held on the fourth Sunday of the month and, since its inception, has a theme of classic American motorcycles and cars.
Il Cuore Sportivo beat hard in Chanoe
The announcement of last Sunday March 12 had as protagonists all kinds of models, classic and not so much, from the transalpine manufacturer Alfa Romeo. It is already known that the Milanese brand has many fans and, of course, these did not disappoint, as it was one of the best concentrations that have been seen in Chanoe. Although ... I have to admit that I am not very objective because, although I do not currently have any of their cars, I consider myself a big fan of the brand.
Richard Gere, in the movie Pretty Woman, said to Julia Roberts: «The reaction of people the first time they see an opera is very spectacular: Either they love it, or it horrifies them. If they love it, it will be forever; if not, they may come to appreciate it but it will never reach their hearts. Well, saving the distance, and if the comparison is allowed, something very similar happens to those who drive an Alfa Romeo for the first time, especially if it is a classic: I assure you that, when you get hooked, you do it to forever. Is it because of il Cuore Sportivo?
An impressive display of Alfa-Romeo
We must congratulate the organizers of the "meeting" for their power of convocation, as they attracted to quite a few fans, owners or not of an Alpha. Above all, they managed to gather some magnificent and very representative units.
Yes, I know that important models were missing, but we must bear in mind that we are in Spain and, although we are sorry, here it is difficult to collect parts of the brand from before the war, or models such as TZ, Freccia d'oro, Villa d´este, 6c 2500, etc, there are some, but it is hard to get them out of their garages.
Inside the enclosure, under roof, were the best pieces on display. Two stood out, mainly due to their interest as a collectible car: On the one hand, a very elegant 2600 Spider Touring body from 1961 in navy blue, which had a spectacular restoration; and, on the other, the controversial SZ from 1991, dubbed "il mostro" in its day, which, due to its daring design, did not convince many people. Undoubtedly, helped by the passage of time, it is currently much more than palatable.
They were accompanied by a beautiful Giulietta Sprint from the 50s; two GTV6s from the 80s, one of them with Zender accessories very interesting period; a Sprint, a '96 Spider and a 4C of the current range.
In another of the rooms, three cute Spiders were exhibited in the colors of the Italian flag, one of them white, a Duetto from the 60s nicknamed as 'cuttlefish coda', and two 2000 Veloce from the early 70s.
At Lóleo Eventos, arcaded gallery of the building there was another exhibition with more excellent units. Several Giulia GT Bertones from the different series manufactured wore palm hearts, one of them prepared for Rally and two GT 1300 Juniors with Canary Islands license plates.
We also got to see an Alfasud Quadrifoglio Oro (a very difficult vehicle to see currently), a 33 Quadrifoglio Verde from the first series, a current Giulia and, finally, a highly coveted and flawless 75 Turbo Evoluzione.
The macchinas of the car park
Abroad There were also excellent units, such as a white Giulietta Spider from the first series (1956), with a short wheelbase, identifiable by not having false windows on the doors. Next to him a rare green Giulia GTC from 1965 with contemporary Madrid registration. And also a Giulia 1750 GT Veloce prepared for competition (GTAm replica) in matt black vinyl and a track Alfasud Ti (Trofeo replica).
In the parking lot next door they kept going in and out countless alphas of all time, like several Sprint Veloce, 75, GTV of the eighties and nineties, an impeccable 166, some 156 and, of course, quite a few modern models, Giulietta, Mito, 159, etc. There were even two current Giulia (series 952) Quadrifoglio Verde; Yes, the V6 Turbo engine cucumber with 510hp.
In April, more in Chanoe
Leaving the other internal car park, located in front of the NH Hotel and the hall, a lot of classic cars were parked from other brands: Mercedes SL, Austin Mini Cooper S Mk1, Cord 810, '68 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, a beautiful Ferrari 308 GTB and a few other cars. An impeccably restored Porsche 911 S shone with its own light.
And finally, in the Carrefour car park -located on the next plot-, as usual, a lot of cars that do not fit in the previous areas. Here we found the typical and adorable popular classics and some other surprises, like an impressive Rolls Royce Corniche in a spectacular metallic green color.
We know that the organizers have already got to work for the next call, which, a little bird has told us, will surely be dedicated to the Marcedes SL R129. It is sure to be worth the visit.