Automobília Ibérica 2015 – a Tour of the Parking Lots

Every year, the small town of Moita in Portugal welcomes the “Automobília Ibérica“, an event that fills a pavilion and surrounding spaces with all things vintage cars and bikes related; from parts to tools, toys, clothing, accessories, memorabilia…if it’s related to something with wheels, it’s probably in there somewhere. So you can stop by and pick up a McQueen “Le Mans” poster, some 70’s Corgis with awesome whizzwheels and those rare parts for your vintage ride that you’ve been looking for forever, all in one place. However, when I stop by every year – since it’s relatively close to where I am – I barely even see any of that stuff because I’m way too busy scouting the parking lots for interesting stuff. The Automobília Ibérica does include a classic cars (and bikes) meet, but it really isn’t that well defined (it certainly doesn’t come across to the public as such anyway); everything is outside, there aren’t a lot of assigned spots/areas so people just kind of come and go all the time as they please. To make sure you see as much as possible, you’ve gotta keep moving around the 3 parking lots because that one dude with the amazing ride that you’ll get a huge kick out of seeing may just stop by for 20 minutes or so to pick up a part and leave immediately afterwards.

Car shows in Portugal are nowhere near the massive events that they are in the US (or even the UK); very few have international affirmation, so these smaller meets around specific buy/sell/trade events become big things. Mostly old European cars of the masses show up (your Minis, 2CVs, Beetles, etc) but once in a while, you’ll spot something rare and cool which will make your day. This year I thought it would be interesting to share a few of the best finds here on AV, from the most common stuff to those rare gems:

A stunning Citroen Safari in great condition completely stole my heart this year. Lots of sighs followed

A bright yellow R107 350 SLC was another cool find. Still no sure about the color and the missing trim bits, but a very cool thing to show up nonetheless

A gorgeous International Pickup: 1947-1949 KB2. Spotless, amazing color

911T Targa in a strong orange, but it worked. Considerable money for these things today and this particular one was looking pretty damn good

A tiny Suzuki Cervo SS20 looks even tinier standing next to an immaculate 1955 Lincoln Capri Sedan

A W108 looking good in the sunshine

Gotta love the Evo II Deltas…

1964 Convertible GTO (rocking the PT flag), the very definition of rare around these parts

Honda NSX on the sidewalk after what was probably a risky parking maneuver…

Porsche 914 keeping a Lotus Cortina company

Something properly unusual: an Andersen Club 6 (Mini Moke base); very cool car with a really nice owner

Always great to see a shiny red Spitfire

Extremely common in Uncle Sam’s domain but pretty unusual for this side of the ocean (and end of Europe): 86 C4 Vette with C5 rims. Surprisingly, not a bad combo

Hot hatches fans rejoice! It’s a Clio Williams 3

T&J Sportscars “Hornet”, a Lotus 7 replica based on Cortina bits

Always popular at this sort of event, the legendary Traction Avant, 15cv version

Vintage Japanese sexiness with the 260Z

A few fashionable 500s showed up as well, including this funky little white Lusso and a Giardiniera!

Just caught this 1958 Opel Kapitan on its way out

The 1750 and 2000 Alfas really do look amazing don’t they?

1954 Chevy Bel Air sedan, the car that marks the end of a design cycle for Chevrolet. The 55s were already radically different

A dusty little Celica ST

A big, blue (clean!) 244 with a well defined opinion

A Mini pickup? Why not!

W123 Coupes are getting harder to spot and this 230CE was certainly looking good

Lastly, an appeal: people, please don’t do this to your cars. You may not be driving the top of the line, but don’t go round slapping badges where they don’t belong…own what you drive, this is disrespectful to the car and embarrassing for the driver