Auto Retro Barcelona

Fira de Barcelona, Montjuïc, Spain 16-19 November

More than 48,000 visitors flooded a Barcelona fairground, enticed by 500 historic vehicles, for an event that honoured drivers from the 24 hours of Montjuïc, coachbuilder Pedro Serra, and marque Siata. A further 1000 classic cars could be viewed in a dedicated parking area, on rotation throughout the four days of the event.

AutoRetro Barcelona opened with a preview day for collectors and professionals, and the new trade area layout was welcomed by visitors and vendors alike. Cars by Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Hispano-Suiza, Seat, Citroën and more were on sale, plus motorcycles from Montesa, Vespa, Lambretta, BMW, Lube, Harley-Davidson, Norton, Ossa, Henderson, Bultaco, Derbi, Yamaha and Suzuki.

The display that paid homage to Catalonian Pedro Serra, considered the best Spanish coachbuilder of all time, featured 12 vehicles, including the Dodge Boulevard, recently rescued following 30 years of neglect; one of the seven Pegaso Z-102 cabriolets commissioned by the engineer Wifredo Ricart; three SEAT 1400s; plus a Renault 4CV cabriolet, a Citroën Dyane coupé, an MG Crazy and an Autonacional 200 F.

Also celebrated was the 60th anniversary of the SEAT 600, with models from 1957 to 1973, plus 150 more brought by Club 600 Barcelona 2017.

Guests included Rally Costa Brava drivers Salvador Servia and Luis Moya, and motorcycle racer Ramon Torras. The firefighters of Barcelona displayed an 1896 steam pump, and local specialist Valentín Motors completely rebuilt a 300bhp 1988 Porsche 911 930/66 turbo engine live, in front of an audience.

A parade – known as the Montjuïc Legend Series – featured classic cars on the historic route of the Montjuïc urban circuit, and the Start your Engines exhibition was as loud as its name suggests. Clockwise from top right Autojumble and trade stands aplenty; Barcelona firefighters fire up their 1896 steam pump; Porsches and Jaguars feature among the 500 cars on display.