Ivan Vicario Martin
La TraveSEAT 2023 was again a complete success, this time, with participation record included. For the first time since it has been held, more than 120 SEAT 600s were exceeded, after reaching one hundred in 2022, in the edition known as “Camino de SEATiago”. Which does not change is the spirit of the event, based on enjoying the most varied routes, the best views and good gastronomy.
In addition, and this has been the case since the first edition, held in 2016, the good vibes, the spirit to collaborate and the involvement of all participants is key to the success of the adventure. Because yes, touring half of Spain, as has been done in these seven editions -it was only suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic- aboard a SEAT 600 it has a lot of adventure.
So what Historic SEAT mechanics are always on the lookout to make sure no one is left stranded. With the manners and tricks of a competition team -which is what they are-, they set out to repair any setback that arises in the caravan of "pelotillas". Of course, they are becoming less frequent, since the cars are better preserved and there are not as many breakdowns as in the first editions. In this “SEA7tima”, he also helped an ambient temperature away from the heat of other years.
SEND THE ORIGINALITY
It's also nice to see how the SEAT 600 are more and more original, to the point that heavily modified cars have become a real rarity. Especially if we compare it with the “2 Mares en SEAT 600” caravan, the first edition in which I participated. Go ahead, everyone can take their car as they really want, it was just missing, but from the point of view of a publication that deals with the history of the automobile, we will always especially like the original units.
This change has had to do with both a certain awareness of the fans, as well as an undeniable contagion effect and, of course, stricter ITV. Be that as it may, welcome. What hasn't changed at all is the expectation aroused by the SEAT 600 caravan wherever it goes. If a set of classics attracts attention, the presence of the "pelotillas" also arouses special sympathy.
For any town or city through which we circulate, we receive the warmest of welcomes. And not only by the older people who had the opportunity to see the Six Hundred in circulation in its time, but also by the youngest. Undoubtedly, the perfect organization helps that, despite the size of the caravan, the passage through towns and cities is quick and coordinated. In this way, there are hardly any jams and bother just enough and necessary.
At each crossroads or roundabout, a SEAT 600 indicating the exit that the rest must take. He then rejoins the caravan at the very end. In this way, no one is lost and, just as or more important, it is not necessary to go pending maps or rutometers. So you can enjoy the tour and driving the SEAT 600 in complete relaxation.
TRAVESEAT 2023: LIKE HOME
Although I have taken part in five of the seven editions, this was the first one that could not complete the entire route. However, a few meters were enough with the SEAT 600 E from the brand's collection to feel at home again. It is not the biggest car, nor the most powerful, nor the fastest, but the “pelotilla” is still a delicious car to drive. Since I tried it for the first time a few years ago, it is one of the brand's models that I like the most.
Furthermore, Like any classic, it forces you to drive it, to anticipate the manoeuvres, to work with the gearbox... In short, all those things that we have lost in modern cars and that, deep down, are only making us worse drivers. On Thursday the 22nd, I spent almost five hours driving and couldn't enjoy myself more. In a modern car, it is possible that I would have gotten bored, here there was no time. I took as a souvenir a left arm charred by the sun, perks of the trade.
In addition, the TraveSEAT organization takes such care of the routes that they always end up finding the most fun way to link two cities. That's not to mention the photos they give us of all the cars assembled, either in the Plaza de Pedraza, under the wall of Ávila, in Ciudad Rodrigo or in the Plaza Mayor of Salamanca. see a hundred SEAT 600 together for a snapshot continues to impress.
FOR THE NEXT TRAVESEAT
Finished an edition, one already begins to think about the next one. Even in the name it will receive, as we have known names such as AniverSEAT, EnSEATmada, SEAT4Ebre or OktoberSEAT. It is a house brand and a hallmark of an event that It started as a route organized by a group of friends and has ended up becoming quite an event..
As lovers of the classics and the “pelotilla”, We can only congratulate the organization of TraveSEAT for a more impeccable edition. It is not easy to be at the foot of the canyon for so many years without the event or the participants showing signs of exhaustion. Here it is the other way around, every year there are more participants and things get better. Long live the SEAT 600!
2023 TRAVESEAT PHOTO GALLERY: SEA7TIMA
