Francisco Carrion
Without a doubt, the weekend of September 20, 21 and 22 has been a worthy celebration of the Automotive Heritage Days convened by FEVA; Meetings of all kinds, salons and rallies have made it practically impossible to attend everything that has been held throughout the peninsula.
Among all the events, it was especially worth visiting Albacete due to the peculiarity of what could be seen there: more than 70 classic trucks, most of them Spanish. It is not the first meeting of this type, because thanks to forums and associations, concentrations of classic industrialists have been held for almost 10 years, but so far none of this magnitude.
In this case it is the II Meeting of the Spanish Pegaso Association, which has had a high level of participation and organization, in addition to being able to circulate classic trucks on the circuit of the Albacete Circuit, which has allowed to see authentic races between these transportation veterans.
The fans of this world are in luck, because year after year a network of meetings is being created at the national level, and each edition with a greater number of participants..
Currently on the calendar the annual meeting of the forum stands out classictrucks.com, the “Truck Show Festival” of Torrelavega, in Cantabria, the concentration of classics on the occasion of the truck races in Jarama, the Barcelona-Caldes de Montbui bus rally and finally, the meetings of the Spanish Pegaso Association.
All these events have already been several successful editions, almost too much if we take into account the current panorama and the little love for classic industrial vehicles that has traditionally been in Spain compared to other European countries.
Focusing on this meeting, the organization has been run by the Parada Brothers, used to dealing with these mobs with wheels since they are professionally dedicated to the world of transportation.
The participants came from various parts of Spain, the majority being from Madrid and provinces bordering Albacete such as Alicante, Murcia or Ciudad-Real, although there are also those who traveled long distances from Segovia or Asturias.
The number exceeded all forecasts, exceeding 70 registered vehicles. The variety and quality of trucks was remarkable, although some of the legendary Pegaso “Mofletes” or “Barajas” were missed, the first two models marketed by the Spanish brand.
They are difficult to see and few copies are preserved restored, but the fact that the event was organized by the Spanish Pegasus Association had created expectations. Also missing were models from Spanish brands such as Ebro or Nazar, or some of the well-known Barreiros prior to 1968.
However, saving these absences mentioned, You could see practically the entire classic Spanish industrial park, and in general in very good condition.
Participants in detail
The oldest vehicle position was contested between the 1928 Ford AA owned by the Savall family and the "Talbot-Hispano" whose chassis and radiator must have been around 1926 ... Of course, everything else is a typical post-war mix with spare parts. here and there to create a small truck of those that were so necessary in times of reconstruction, and how rare it is to see them restored.
We do not know if apart from this he had something more of the mythical Spanish brand
Following by seniority were a perfectly restored 1 Ford F1948 ambulance with a stretcher and first aid kit inside or a Dodge Kew from the early 50s. This English model was imported in good numbers in our country, and at the time they were known as "Dodge Vaca Seca ”due to the peculiar shape of its hood.
Around the same time were the two precious Leyland Comets present, both perfectly restored and with many “vintage” details.
These trucks were among the most common transporting fruit and fish on Spanish roads until the 70s, and their characteristic slow sound at idle awakened the memories of elderly viewers.
Among the classic "nose" trucks, the presence of the Scania brand stood out, with 3 units of different configurations and, from here on, practically everything was Pegasus.
The number of units of the Comet model was surprising, perfectly restored and in different configurations. Although it would be difficult to choose, the Mazo de Alzira transport crane is noteworthy, with its characteristic colors and very well preserved from origin despite being a model from the first series.
Among the "Cabezones" there was also a choice, but undoubtedly it is necessary to highlight the presence of a very rare 2045, just finished restoring and with some details yet to be finished.
Its strange configuration of tractor with two directional front axles led to its high cost making only about a dozen units, and until recently it was thought that only one remained, owned by Transportes Municipales de Barcelona and pending restoration.
Yet there it was, another 2045 and like fresh from the factory. A controversial issue about this unit is that it has flat spider rims, more modern than the concave wheels that all 2045s that appear in vintage photos had.
Then there were the Pegasus Europa, the "Cabina Cuadrada", the "Bocanegra", Tecno, Mider and even about a dozen Troners, which despite not being old enough to be considered true classics have already been preserved and restored. in great detail.
In the circuit
The three Barreiros present must have felt cornered meanwhile Pegaso, but they were able to retaliate at ease during the laps of the Albacete circuit in which they were seen moving at more than acceptable speeds.
In this sense, the American tractors were the most spectacular on the Albacete layout, which is to be expected since, despite their appearance, almost all of the ones present were of recent manufacture.
The drivers of venerable, perfectly restored classic trucks weren't minding their way around the track and there were very interesting moments, especially in the corner at the end of the grandstand straight.
In short, it was a spectacular event wherever you look, and it would deserve to be followed by any fan of classic vehicles.
The spectacularity of seeing veterans like the Pegaso Comet or Avia 3500 struggling to advance positions on the circuit to the limit of their probabilities is an experience almost impossible to find, so if you want to feel it live, be very attentive for future editions. Worth.
[su_youtube_advanced https=»yes» url='https://youtube.com/watch?v=VwZS5TNWB0w' ]
Full-size images (1.280 px. Approx.)
the strong sun of La Mancha
of the years 40 and 50
impeccable restoration
model from which it was derived, Leyland Comet
the years 60
tractor 2045
fish box
and «Decks»
the pit area
at full speed
"Dry Cow" from the 50s
circuit between Avia 2500
and Pegaso «Europe»
to see: A 2020 tractor
cornering a Comet
that came from Granada
and it sounded great
vehicles provided by the organizers, a crane with Pegasus elements
from various eras
