The Escudería
TEXT: CLASSIC MADRID / EXPOMOTOR EVENTS
ClassicMadrid, International Classic Vehicle Show, it will host a monographic exhibition dedicated to the Seat 1400. It is the first vehicle assembled by the Spanish brand in its factory in Barcelona in 1953, at that time with Italian components.
As part of ClassicMadrid can be seen for the first time in the capital of Spain an exceptional collection, Property of the passionate SEAT classic Jaime Sánchez. It is made up of various models manufactured between 1953 and 1964, the year in which its production ended. The 1400 was the Spanish luxury car at the time and enthusiasm from the first moment.
Seat 1400: A dream
The SEAT 1400 It was initially designed to transport the officials of the Government of Spain and those citizens with the best pockets of Spanish society. And it is that this model came on the market with a prohibitive price "of the time": more than 121.000 pesetas (727,22 current euros)
It was expensive, but elegant. A dream: interior spaciousness, exterior discretion, some American inspiration in its line, four doors, four-cylinder in-line engine, 44 hp, and a speed of 125 km / hour. And he succeeded.
Its presentation in society at the Barcelona Trade Fair generated an order book of 10.000 units for the brand. Production increased, the price dropped, and the 1400 effect was unstoppable. With components already 100% national, the initial successful saloon allowed new developments and the 1400, which became a five-door station wagon, offered multiple possibilities: ambulance, taxi, van, “limousine”, and even hearse.
Peter Sierra, considered the best Spanish bodybuilder of all time, also reinterpreted this iconic model. He created the Sport Spider convertible version.
ClassicMadrid will celebrate 1400
The SEAT 1400 stopped being produced in 1964. In 11 years, 98.114 units left the Barcelona factory.
ClassicMadrid 2020, International Classic Vehicle Show, It will be held from February 21 to 23 in the glass pavilion of the Casa de Campo and will bring together the main companies and professionals in the classic motor segment in Spain. ClassicMadrid is organized by the company Expo Motor Events and has the sponsorship of the insurance brokerage Zalba Caldú and the collaboration of the Spanish Federation of Old Vehicles -FEVA, Madrid Destino, Iberia and Renfe.
