More than 35,000 people visited the third ClassicAuto Madrid show, held in the spectacular Casa de Campos glass pavilion from 24-26 February. Covering 20,000sq m, the show had 300-plus exhibitors from 10 countries.
Organisers report busy trading among dealer, autojumble and automobilia stands, but were surprised by the fervent interest in a display of classic hearses, a first for a Spanish classic show.
With the backing of the Empresa Mixta de Servicios Funerarios de Madrid, seven vehicles built betwen 1929 and 1939 on Latil, Lincoln and Chevrolet chassis were on display, all perfectly restored by the Escuela de Bellas Artes de Madrid.
Other highlights included Pegaso (above), Hispano-Suiza, a Morgan three-wheeler, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz and, celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Renault 8 (below), which was also built in Spain by FASA-Renault.
ClassicAuto Madrid also hosted the Jaguar Concours d'Elegance with 12 entries, the winner being a Series 1 E-type 3.8. Other special events included the launch of a new book about Paco Abadal, Biografía de un sportsman, written by Bernardo Valadés, plus the announcement of the rally Centenario del Concurso de Automóviles del Guadarrama (1912-2012), promoted by Fundación RACE.
James Elliott is a former Editor of Classic & Sports Car