Auto Clássica Porto 2021. A fair with interesting Japanese models

Photographs: Sergio Calleja

In 1986 José Saramago published one of his lesser known novels: La Balsa de Piedra. In it, the fault opened in the Pyrenees by an inexplicable seismic episode causes the separation of the Iberian Peninsula with respect to Europe. Thus, Spain and Portugal become an island adrift across the Atlantic Ocean, being the starting point of this ingenious parable about Iberianism. A story that highlights the shared peninsular space. Thus pointing out the possible meeting between two countries historically so close geographically as they are politically separated.

However, the truth is that in the middle of 2021 there are still few voices that from Spain speak about strengthening real ties with the neighboring country. A debatable but also possible option, thanks to which a debate is opened about the international role of two states with a clear projection towards Latin America. Something extremely ambitious, even more so when we see the existing separation in all types of areas on both sides of the border. In any case, some Spanish-speaking companies already incorporate commercial activities in Portugal into their work.

One of them is Eventos del Motor. Organizer of fairs in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Bilbao or Malaga and that from October 30 to November 1 held the eighteenth Classic car Porto. Referential appointment in the panorama of Portuguese classics. Which has been rediscovered after the pandemic showing an enviable diversity of models. Not surprisingly, the neighboring country benefited from more lax import quotas than ours. Thus, it is common to see Asian, European and American models that here we would consider rarities. One of the reasons why this appointment in Porto was so interesting.

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CLASSIC CAR PORTO 2021. A LOOK AT JAPAN

Strolling through room 14 of the National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon, the appearance of the two is surprising Nambam screens. Some works made between the end of the sixteenth century and the beginning of the seventeenth where the arrival of the Portuguese at the port of Nagasaki in 1543. Scene that we also find in another screen from the same period kept in the Soares dos Reis National Museum in Oporto. Three examples of the relations between Japan and Portugal. Difficult due to the constant Japanese suspicion towards the foreigner. But also recurrent since the time when the process that we know today as globalization was forged through navigation.

Perhaps to recall this historical substrate, the number of Japanese models gathered in the Classic Porto 2021 car is not so surprising. Panoply in which there was not the Toyota 2000GT with which Japan confirmed the development of its automobile industry, but a very scarce Sports 800. The first sports car produced in series by Toyota, of which only 3.130 units were manufactured with the survivor rate hovering around a mere 10%. For this reason, finding one is worth celebrating, calling from the first moment its resemblance to him. 2000GT as if it were a miniature of this one. Older brother appeared almost two years later, benefiting from the aesthetic approaches already embodied in the Sports 800.

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However, the most interesting thing about this model is not the body but its performance. An example of this is what happened in the 500 Suzuka 1966 Kilometers. Race in which the organization forced one of these models to stop after lap 84 on suspicion of cheating. An idea based on the fact that it was the only one who had not stopped to refuel, with the possibility that the team had incorporated hidden fuel tanks. Nothing is further from reality. And is that With its only 580 kilos, the Sports 800 makes an incredible maximum of its meticulous 790cc 44CV engine..

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PRE-CLASSICS OF THE RISING SUN

All in all, a racing model ready to be the envy of Colin Chapman. In fact, the Lotus Elan was one of the cars highlighted during that race by this ingenious and efficient Kei Car. A typically Japanese segment, which appeared during the postwar shortage to continue to the present thanks to an advantageous taxation and the little space in the cities. In that sense, we were also able to see a Honda beat. Striking and tiny sports car that this year celebrates three decades of history, which sought to transfer the sensations of riding a motorcycle to motor racing.

Character that according to the tests of the moment he achieved. Playing right with his just 760 kilos for 64CV at 8100 rpm. And it is that its engine with the throttle butterflies attached to the intake valve ensures a verve that is based on the stability that gives a low center of gravity and the central position of the engine. A real treat for drivers who love more for less. Since with its small size but intelligent design it ensures a waste of intense sensations at the wheel.

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On the path of the Japanese Preclassics, a Honda CRX Mk2 silver with only 17 kilometers. An interesting find for any Rising Sun sports car fan, which is gaining adherents for its practicality and nerve in the style of European GTIs. In addition, in the face of collectors more focused on rallying, he highlighted a Toyota Celica with the same livery as the ST-205 driven by Didier Auriol in 1995. Of course, in this case made on the street version with 113CV at 5800rpm. A not very extreme option, but it is practical in order to enjoy sportsmanship on a day-to-day basis. Another of the most marked characteristics in Japanese sports cars.

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ENGLAND - PORTUGAL. THE ATLANTIC CONNECTION

In the history of encounters and disagreements between Spain and Portugal, one of the biggest factors for disconnection has been the traditional alliance between England and our Iberian neighbor. A history woven based on commercial criteria with the common nexus of being powers in Atlantic navigation. Of course, always in frank inequality. Given that while British trade traffic grew everywhere, the Portuguese languished on the remains of a colonial empire whose last death throes were drowned by the Carnation Revolution. In this way, the relationship between England and Portugal left a lot of ground in the Iberian country and little in the British Isles.

Being in Porto, the most recurrent in this regard is wine. Product systematically sent to the United Kingdom by English capital wineries specialized in its production from grapes grown along the Duero. However, if we focus on motorsport, the connection is also clear. And that, without counting the famous Anglo-Portuguese racing engineer John Tojeiro, the truth is that in the set of Portuguese classics there are numerous examples of British brands. Another example of this historical relationship, which favors the appearance in the Classic Porto 2021 car of models such as the Citroën Bijou.

A purely English variant of the 2CV, which was introduced in 1959 with a long chassis and fiberglass body. Thus, the English division of Citroën based in the city of Slough wanted to seduce the middle classes in front of the Austin onslaught. Simple and conservative models, but also efficient and a quarter cheaper. Thus, the Bijou was a commercial failure of which very few examples remain. That is why it was striking to see the unit exhibited by the Clube Citroën Clássico de Portugal.

Beyond this piece for connoisseurs of the history of the 2CV, the English presence in Porto was backed by a certain amount of Jaguar XK120 and XK140. Models that represent a good prelude to always eye-catching E-Type, which had an important representation with copies of all its evolutions due to its sixtieth anniversary. A car always fascinating but well known, the scarce Standard Eight Tourer-Conversilvel from 1946 in cream color.

A delicious convertible with its 1000cc and 50CV, which the press of the time defined as a car to roll "At an elephant's pace". Paired with him was a 1959 Austin-Healy Sprite in light blue with 998cc and 48CV. One of the representatives of those small English sports convertibles of the fifties, known in this case as "frogeye”Due to its frog-eye headlights.

By the way, these last vehicles were in the dealership space Automotive Trucks. The same one that was offering an AX Convertible and a Golf Pick-Up. Two unique variations capable of attracting the attention of many fans. Although to finish this review of the British presence we are going to do it with a rarity that has to do with the Golf that we have just reviewed. A Mini Pick-Up parked in the fan area that was another of the many vehicles of interest brought by the abundant fans that gathered in this Classic Porto 2021 car.

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INDUSTRIAL AND SPANISH PRESENCE

In the relations between Spain and Portugal, it is possibly the northwest quadrant that exercises the most influence. In this way, Galicia is the best bridge to Portugal from Spain. Proof of this is the presence in Porto of the restaurateur John Lumbreras. A reference in the restoration of classics that came to the Clássica car with its own space from its headquarters in Vigo. Regarding the art and paintings section, José Antonio Méndez and José María Villafuerte attended the meeting with their already usual automobile representations.

With regard to industrial vehicles, the Haflinger installed in the ACP Clássicos space stood out. An excellent off-road vehicle built by Stey-Daimler-Puch with 600 kilos of weight and capacity to load 500 more. The fruit of a Spartan approach designed to respond to the needs of the armies of Austria and Switzerland, who became the main clients of the more than 16.000 units built. All this with a 643cc and 24CV two-cylinder engine capable of moving this vehicle on roads with wide angles of attack and a low center of gravity for an off-road vehicle.

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In short, a model of those in which the maxim “less is more”Acquires its best expression. Achieving great effectiveness from few materials and very simple mechanics. Of course, speaking of industrial models perhaps the most curious is a asphalt machine of the General Directorate of Roads of Porto. One of those that, no matter how fond of sports cars, always attracts attention thanks to its simple originality. And it is that, after all, if it weren't for this type of asphalt paver, the splendid E-Type that are now turning sixty could hardly have rolled out of the factory.

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In short, both in terms of quantity and originality of the above The Classic Porto 2021 car has become an incentive to attend in future years. In addition, from here you can easily reach the Museo do Caramulo. One of the most interesting collections of classics on the Iberian Peninsula, which represents yet another reason to rethink that stone raft with which we began the article. We will return to Portugal.

Photographs: Sergio Calleja