Francisco Carrion
The one in Barcelona is the show dedicated to classic vehicles with the greatest international projection of all those held in our country, and it is always looked at with a magnifying glass to measure the progress of our fans.
This year the "pressure" was greater if possible, Well, in addition to having to revalidate the success of the last edition - the 30th anniversary - the organizational team was new, and there have been several changes at all levels.
The dates of celebration did not help either, because this year the December bridge had been "reduced" and the fair, which opened its doors from Thursday 4 to Monday 8 December, had to deal with two working days in which the influx of audience was less than normal.
Even so, and according to the organizers, the attendance figures were similar to those of previous years, we assume that they were concentrated during the weekend. We attended the first day, and we can say that the attendance, although it was scarce, was as - or as little - numerous as the first day of the previous edition.
Different character
The fair this year has had a different look, perhaps less commercial and more expository. If in previous editions there were cars for sale on every corner, this year only 50% of the fair space was destined to stands for the sale and purchase of vehicles.
Among them, some already "classics" of this contest stood out, such as car history, that in a central place exhibited its invaluable Lamborghini, Porsche or Maserati, the main piece being a pristine Aston Martin DB6 Volante, one of the 8 left-hand drive units.
Also well located was autocorporation, with its stand full of Ferraris and Porsches, all of them youngtimers from the 80s and 90s. Nearby was Francisco Pueche from Madrid, who brought various pieces among which the Pegaso Z-102 Berlineta Enasa "Prototype" and an exotic Amphicar stood out ... national registration!
Also in the center was the specialist Motos HD with his customary roster of perfectly restored prewar bikes. On both sides were the "autochthonous" Carsclasicos and Garatge Terramar, the latter with an interesting trio of Hispano Suiza consisting of a 60 T-1935 RL, a 8 10-1914 HP and a 16 T-1916.
Also very remarkable was the stand of the company Nou Onze, where you could see - among others - the first Porsche 911 registered in Spain, just out of a meticulous restoration, or a coveted 356 Speedster.
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The BMW exhibition
Apart from these “main” stands there were others of less importance with various classic cars for sale, and even a couple of foreign specialists. In a small space, the French Bruno Vendiesse and Christian Decombas jointly offered a BMW 328 from the 30s, a Tirumph 2000 saloon from the 40s and a Maserati Bora from the 60s. Curious mix, right?
Cristoph Grohe was the other foreigner present, with a diaphanous stand in which it showed - paradoxically - two cars with original Spanish license plates, which were returning to our country after years of retirement in Switzerland ... and which we suppose that unfortunately they will have left again. It consisted of two exclusive Italian pieces: a Fiat 1500 Cabriolet bodied by Viotti and a Lancia Lambda Tourer, apparently the second oldest unit that has been preserved.
In the purely exhibition section there was practically everything: a small “barn find” section, the official Seat stand celebrating the Ibiza anniversary, the interesting Porsche exhibited by Autódromo or the pavilion entirely dedicated to Barcelona scenes with the odd classic car parked, although greater density was lacking.
Undoubtedly the best in terms of exhibitions was the succulent BMW meeting in which you could see from a tiny Dixi from the 30s to the only M1 originally registered in Spain, passing through a very exclusive 507 roadster or a 328 cabriolet of the 30… although we cannot stop criticizing the presentation, somewhat anodyne, without any carpet and parked without too much space.
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Spare parts and Car Corral
A shame, because the entity of the assembled BMWs deserved better. In the spare parts section this year there were fewer foreign specialists, especially Italians. The French were still a crowd, although we still do not know if someone in Spain might be interested in a radiator from a Bignan from the 20s or a steering wheel from a Berliet truck from the 50s.
Finally, outside was the customary "Car Corral" with more or less variety depending on the day, in which you could find authentic rarities with old national registration such as a NSU Prinz or a Glas 1004, probably the most popular car. ugly of the pageant.
In conclusion, Auto Retro is still a highly recommended appointment and one of the benchmarks at the national level, although its new organizers must face the challenge of maintaining its international prestige and, if possible, its growth; mainly in size, since the quality, although in lower doses than last year, already has it.
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