Miguel Sánchez
By number, in the world of classic vehicles the most attention goes to automobiles. Especially those that, having been commercialized in a massive way, more and better have reached the day to day of their respective markets. Nevertheless, there are also fans and collectors focused on more specific issues. To begin with, there are those who focus their interest on everything related to the competition. Something that interprets a clear contrast with those who have their greatest passions in industrial models.
In any case, beyond these groups there are some even more determined. For example, the one made up of people focused on military vehicles. A hobby that, for almost three decades, has met in the thematic concentration The Guixaro. The place where, under the organization of the Històrics Club, you can see many units restored and in action from various armies and armed forces. Undoubtedly, a very special way of living the interest in the classics. Recovering models that, even though they are an obvious part of our history, would have been easy prey to oblivion and scrapping.
That said, the truth is that collecting military vehicles has many specific problems. To mention just one, we can highlight the scarcity. And it is that, as it is easy to understand, not every day you can find a tank, a fighter or any type of amphibious transport for sale. However, at this time a Pegaso BMR-600 is being offered for sale near Madrid. And no, we are not talking about a land army truck. But of a whole Medium Armored on Wheels manufactured in 1981. Which, by the way, has been active until a few years ago.
At this point, the question is obvious. How can you get such a vehicle? Well, in this sense we must clarify the proper demilitarization of it. Even having a certificate from the Ministry of Defense in this regard. That is to say, driving it does not pose any more public danger than the one that, like any other heavy moving object, a car, van or truck may have. Also, surprising as it may be, these models can be purchased by civilians at public auctions organized by the army itself. This is exactly the case, recently, with the also Pegaso BMR-600 acquired by the Fundación Don Rodrigo for “the study and preservation of military history”.
In this way, when they progressively retire from service, more units than might be expected find a new life as collector models. And, after all, we are talking about classic vehicles. Not in vain, the history of the Pegaso BMR-600 begins in the early seventies. When the Spanish Army established the parameters for the design of an armed transport for light infantry squads in combat zones. Thanks to this, after years of testing, production of the BMR-600 finally began in 1979. Specifically, in the old SAVA facilities, owned by the ENASA since it absorbed it back in 1968.
Endowed with independent suspension on each of its six wheels, this armored vehicle initially had a Pegaso engine capable of delivering 306CV to move its more than fifteen tons in combat order. In addition, the BMR-600 possesses amphibious capabilities as well as the ability to solve slopes with up to 60% inclination. A perfect ally for the infantry, having manufactured almost 700 units for the Spanish army, 140 for Saudi Arabia, 160 for Egypt and 25 for Peru. All this for, at this time and after not a few delays, to begin to be replaced by the most modern VCR Dragon 8×8 of national manufacture.
In short, if you are looking for a military vehicle here you have an excellent opportunity to get a classic, let's say, different.
Photographs: Wallapop
