Miguel Sánchez
With more than 120.000 square meters, the German fair Techno Classica It is one of the most impressive classic motor displays on the European calendar. A world reference which has just closed its doors after a weekend in which its visitors have been able to contemplate almost everything: the tribute of BMW to M1 On its 40th anniversary, the already completed restoration of the first 356 in the space of Porsche Classic, an Islero and a sword newly repaired on its 50th anniversary by Lamborghini Polo Storico ... Very soon we will offer you a juicy chronicle of the German fair, and also of retroclassics stuttgart, your rival.
And in the middle of that constellation of stars ... More than one surely has a good memory awakened when contemplating SEAT, which has been giving good news for some time when it comes to maintaining its legacy. This time, the Spanish brand has landed with a sample of its classics, among which three representative examples of the car that have most marked the history of our country have stood out: the mythical 600.
A-122. THE SHIP OF MEMORY
We already told you recently when we were talking about the SEATs that participated in the Monte Carlo Historic Rally 2018, but it is worth remembering: SEAT has been doing a worthy job for years when it comes to restoring and maintaining its classic cars. A task in which the models that have built the history of the brand are saved and restored in a very special place: ship A-122.
Located on the grounds of the old free zone of the port of Barcelona, was part of the industrial complex of the first SEAT factory. As you can see ... The place cannot exude more history through its pores, being something that will surely inspire the mechanics and conservators who carry out such interesting projects there as those that have just been presented at Techno Classica 2018.
Projects such as the restoration of one of the first SEAT 600, a copy from 1957 -the first year of production- whose restoration in detail took more than a year to the Department of Historic Cars SEAT, which thus wanted to celebrate the 60 years of the model. One of the 132.462 units assembled between 1957 and 1963, therefore representative of the first series of the model and which, due to its superb restoration, is probably the 600 most valuable in the A-122 collection.
2 SEAT 600… LITTLE CONVENTIONAL
Apart from the version more “canonical", SEAT Historic Cars moved to the German city of Essen two units of the 600 that will delight both lovers of the classic industrial vehicle ... As those passionate about the challenges in restoration. These are two variants that the SEAT 600 had for work use: a copy of the formichetta the official roadside assistance service, and another from the Business.
The unity of the Formichetta "little ant”Has been restored on a whim, remaining as a representative piece of what was this model adapted to a van by the Spanish Siata. And it is that, to respond to the needs of small carriers, this 600 increased its length by half a meter, being capable of transporting up to 250 kilos of cargo with its driver and passenger. Of course ... quite a industrious ant yes! In this case, it was about giving roadside assistance to drivers in distress.
About unit version Business surely we will speak again at another time, and it is that it will be restored imminently. A restoration that is predicted to be long, because the state in which it has been found, after years of neglect in a warehouse, presents a challenge to the members of SEAT Historic Cars. But hey, we suppose that there is nothing that a car brand cannot resurrect 😉
However, it is worth it, because both the version Business and formichetta, They are some "rara avis”. Versions that led a tougher life than their contemporaries touring cars and that until relatively recently have been undervalued by fans.
3 units of the 600 with which SEAT Historic Cars once again shows the work it is developing in that A-122 ship still full of many more surprises.
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