Miguel Sánchez
TEXT AND PHOTOS SEAT FESTIVAL: SEAT ESPAÑA COMMUNICATION
The second edition of the SEAT Festival, Clásicos y Familia, held at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, in Valencia, has been a resounding success that consolidates the SEAT anniversary party as the classic vehicle event of the year. Despite the threat of weather conditions, on Saturday May 25, fans flocked to the Cheste circuit.
A total of 550 classic SEAT and CUPRA models of all generations filled the paddock of the circuit, with more than 6.000 people enjoying a great fun and family atmosphere, on the occasion of the 69th birthday of the Spanish company and the 50th anniversary of two of its most emblematic models: the SEAT 1430 and the SEAT 850 Spider, both released in 1969.
The participants who came with their historic SEAT and CUPRA vehicles, concentrated in the paddock grouped by type. Among the most massive, those corresponding to the SEAT 600 and derivatives; the SEAT 124, 1430 and 124 Sport, and the CUPRA models.
All of them were able to enjoy the privilege of parading down the track of the Cheste World Cup circuit, up to two times throughout the day. At the end of the parades, all the cars were passing through a "Photo-call" In the shape of one of the typical boxes of the miniature cars with which we played as children, but in real size. Participants received their photograph mounted in a special commemorative album, to remember.
Seat Classics and Family: Exhibitions
Together with the concentrations of SEAT and CUPRA fans, the SEAT Historic Cars team mounted an exhibition with a selection of vehicles from the Collection, among which the honorees of the day shone with their own light: the beautiful 850 Sport, the first and only production convertible in SEAT's history, and the 1430 family, with a newly restored first-series copy: a 1430 Especial 1600 with bi-tree engine, a family version of the latter, and two Formula 1430 single-seaters, powered by the same engine as the saloon.
Likewise, 124 was also present "1 million", which rolled off the assembly line in July 1969 And, therefore, it also turns 50 in 2019, in addition to other models such as the exclusive limited series 131 CLX 1800 and 131 Supermirafiori CLX 2000; the SEAT Panda Group 2 with which Carlos Sainz began his career in rallying in 1982 ...
Also the 'show car' Formula of 1999; the famous 1200 Sport, popularly known as "Black mouth"; el first manufactured copy of the SEAT Ibiza, from 1984, and, of course, a 600 N, the first version of the car that put the country on four wheels. In total, SEAT Historic Cars displaced some thirty models from the Collection.
DIVERSION FOR ALL PUBLIC
While the parades on the runway followed one another and the fans enjoyed admiring the careful models of the Collection, SEAT's giant tent offered attractions for all audiences, with live music, ballroom dancing, circus and craft workshops for the little ones and even the first Mus SEAT Festival, Classics and Family Championship, whose winners will be able to enjoy two stays at Paradores.
The candles for SEAT's 69th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the 1430 and 850 Sport were also symbolically blown out, and fans dedicated a chorus version of the Happy Birthday to the brand.
Immediately afterwards, the SEAT Festival, Clásicos y Familia experienced the most emotional moment of the day, when An act of gratitude was carried out to the SEAT Historic Cars team for their commendable and generous performance during the accident that occurred on February 11 at the SEAT factory in Barcelona, in the hall adjacent to hall A122, where the cars of the Collection are kept.
His quick response contributed decisively to everything being a scare and the Collection was saved in its entirety. The unanimous applause of the attendees was the best tribute to the work of SEAT Historic Cars, in charge of preserving and disseminating the company's historical heritage.
Once the second edition of the 'SEAT Festival, Classics and Family' concluded, the balance of Isidre López, head of SEAT Historic Cars, was very positive: «We are very happy with the response of the people and the consolidation of the SEAT Festival as a family event and, also, as the classics event of the year. It's a celebration with the fans and all the people who have carried SEAT in their hearts during these 69 years of mobility in our country, which makes us feel very proud ”.
