Miguel Sánchez
All of us with a passion for classic cars appreciate the value of their stories. In the end, the sheer action of the years equips each vehicle with an intangible emotional value. Adding value to it is one of the attractions of our hobby, something for which we do not hesitate to relive past times. In fact, some take that even a little further.
That is the case of the man from Salamanca Gustavo Boyero, who together with the photographer Jaime Sánchez and the model Leticia Cardoso has recreated a report with a marked retro flavor to honor the journalist Jose antonio aldasoro. Prematurely retired due to illness, this writer and photographer is one of the most representative firms in the recent history of our sector.
Although Jose Antonio is a geographer by training and a cyclist by vocation, his expertise in creating reports led him to debut in the magazine 'Motor Clásico' back in 1994. A premiere starring the article on the history of the Martin Santos Auto-Map. A curious "grandfather”Of the GPS developed precisely by his own maternal grandfather.
From the looks of it, his passion for almost any machine with wheels runs in the family. Like this SEAT 127, a gift from his father after obtaining his driving license in 1989. Who would have thought then that this little guy would attract the attention of Spanish, Belgian, Italian and even American fans! Anyway, as in any good story, it is best if we start at the beginning.
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN A SEAT 127 AND A RENAULT FUEGO
Usually the first car you have does not usually survive. Even less if it is second-hand, designed to be released in those first years of driving. But nevertheless, Jose Antonio took a special affection for his 127 going from story to story and bike race to bike race. Thanks to this, he kept it despite not being his day-to-day car since 1995.
But let's go back to March 2007, when Jose Antonio Aldasoro was on his way to do a report on Gustavo Boyero's Renault Fuego. A young 127s sports fan who, by chance, would become the restorer of the XNUMX protagonist of this story. After a sudden muscle crisis while taking the photos, Gustavo and his uncle helped Jose Antonio return home. At this time their friendship was born, which was cemented in the numerous concentrations they attended together.
Come summer, Jose Antonio thanked Gustavo for the gesture of months ago giving him his precious SEAT 127. Gesture that he received with the words "I accept, but on the condition that I will restore it". Something that undoubtedly posed a challenge since, although the car had an ITV in order, its condition was far from ideal. Of course, in terms of spare parts there would be no problem thanks to the fact that "Inside the car there was another 127 exploded".
RESTORATION AS THE BEST TRIBUTE
For 9 years Gustavo kept the SEAT in a shed. Arriving in 2016, the promise of restoration took on a new meaning: a tribute had to be paid to Jose Antonio after his professional retirement. And well, what better way to do it than by leaving the classic that you appreciated so much in perfect condition?
It was then that Gustavo embarked on the adventure of leaving the SEAT 127 untouched, attracting even the attention of the media and fans from places like the United States, Argentina, Italy or Belgium. In short, it is clear that when a good restoration is the culmination of a story full of emotion ... Fans know how to appreciate it.
In fact, interest in this story is renewed every year, since for two years it has been launched a tribute calendar to Jose Antonio Aldasoro. Something that was complemented with this recreation of the report in which Cuatro Ruedas magazine presented in 1974 the four-door version of the popular SEAT 127.
As you can see, a care "remake" done at the Hotel Don Fadrique of Alba de Tormes to put the perfect finishing touch not only to this restoration on a whim, but also to the Tribute to one of the best known firms in the journalism of classics in our country.
