After a long and unexpected break, Automotive Views is back! For the first time, we had the opportunity to enjoy the Cascais Classic Motorshow, an event set on the coastal town of Cascais, Portugal. With a very interesting set of classics on the lawn at the local racecourse (concours) and open parking spaces for private individuals to display their cars, the event organized by the Portuguese Auto Club (Automóvel Clube de Portugal) was a hit with the public and with us! We’re definitely gonna go back in 2017. But for now let’s focus on this year’s edition and on the great stuff we were treated to.
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On the lawn, the undisputed stars were a set of GT40s. Unsurprisingly, the duo stole the whole show. A drop dead gorgeous MkI and a stunning, extremely rare MkIII. And the good news is, you’re not only stuck with pics this time; you can see and hear both of them run! Check out the vids!
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Another beautiful ride on the lawn was the Maserati 3500GTi. The style, presence and charisma of the 60’s beauty Queen kept drawing the visitors in.
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Also making an appearance on the lawn, a distinguished DB2 reminds us of how dramatic the change in styling was when the DB3s and especially the DB4s came along.
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But the fun wasn’t all out on the racecourse, the parking areas also saw a number of very pleasant surprises rolling in. Case in point, a dramatic Bentley MkVI Drophead Coupe.
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On the parking area as well, a Series 1 Convertible E-Type turned heads all day long.
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Speaking of Jags, the British manufacturer was well represented in Cascais. The parking areas saw a few great examples of classic and modern Jaguar goodness. Honorable mentions include a very nice 420, a Series 1 XJ6 4.2 (accompanied by a 356 Porsche), an XK120 Coupe unconventionally finished in matte black, a Roadster version of the same model, a now rarely seen XJSC 3.6, a handsome 2007 XKR and of course, one of the ultimate Jaguars, an SS100 – not a replica, the real deal.
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A very clean AC Ace made us wish there had been a Cobra in the mix as well…
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Alfas were another welcome presence at the Motorshow. Besides the many, many Spiders, the event had a stunning 2000 Touring in dark blue on the lawn, and on the parking area, another 2000 – this one unrestored (and of a different year). Meanwhile, a fantastic little Giulietta Spider was keeping a Silver Shadow company.
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On the topic of Rolls Royce, these were properly represented as well. Not only was an achingly beautiful Phantom III (Bond fans may spot a certain familiarity there…) on the lawn, but also a very early, very rare shooting brake! On the parking area, another beginning of the century Rolls would go on to do the speed run in very respectable shape!
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Of course that in an event like this, Ferrari is one of the biggest names and a natural a crowd-pleaser. This year, Cascais welcomed a very impressive 365 GTC and the beloved Ferrari/non Ferrari Dino. The two iconic redheads are pictured with a British American bruiser – Jensen Interceptor – and a delicately shaped Fiat Dino Spider. On the parking area, a more humble 308 was joined by a Series 1 Lotus Exige – very cool – and later on, a 575 joined in the fun.
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Now, if we’re gonna bring up Ferrari we’ve gotta follow up with Porsche. Air cooled ruled the Cascais Classic Motorshow. On the lawn a flawless 911S was making jaws drop.
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On the parking areas, the 911s were a common – but welcome – sight, with a fetching, black 993 answering the important Jalopnik question: “will it baby?”. We have to point out a great looking 912 Targa as well and of course, a perfect 356SC Cabriolet. An very cool RS (tribute? If so, quality work) also stopped by.
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An unexpected incursion from Uncle Sam’s motorpool was an extremely fun addition to the event. The Cadillacs had all eyes on them for a while. A baby blue 54 Eldorado can be seen dwarfing a Peugeot 205 Cabrio while a 1976 Eldorado seems about ready to swallow a little MGB whole.
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However, the American stake in the Motorshow wasn’t all about the big Caddies, far from it. The real stars where a trio of Corvettes on the lawn. The fact that the visitors could see the styling evolution with the last car already featuring Stingray lines, was a pretty interesting addition to the event. In the parking area, a couple of dark ages C3s also popped up. Not the show stoppers the C1s were of course, but still popular with the crowds.
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Still on American rides, we can’t get over how freaking amazing this 47 Buick 8/40 Sedan looked and how nice the 66 GT350 tribute came out. Personally, we’d prefer a straight up restoration without the Shelby badges, but still such a pretty ride.
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The last American surprise came in the form of a stylish mullet master 79 Trans AM, in Smokey and the Bandit livery sans “screaming chicken” of course. Gotta say that it was a bizarre sight…Trans AM with a 365 GTC right behind it.
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Just outside the racecourse, another fun surprise; tucked away in a shadowy corner, a gorgeous SM felt like it most definitely should have been out in the sunshine with the other classics.
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Out on the parking area, a 541S reminded us of how voluptuous and shapely Jensen’s lines were before the straight cut Interceptor changed the company’s image.
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Now, let’s talk Mercedes…there were A LOT of them. Especially SLs and SEs. Out in the parking areas, several generations of SLs showed up, including a couple of 190s (one accompanied by a Lotus Elan and another by an M3). On the lawn, 2 Pontons and 3 SEs (220, 250, 300) enjoyed plenty of attention. Also, a couple of cabriolet surprises…
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Still on Mercedes’ domain, it was fun to see a pretty detailed replica of the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagon, the great, great, GREAT granddaddy of automobiles.
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A couple of racers caught our eye as well, a lovely Europa with a mean growl and a very cool A110 Alpine looking stunning in the sunshine.
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To finish up our round of the 2016 Cascais Classic Motorshow, we’ll show some love to a few European old timers, starting with a super sexy Merak, nor forgetting a nice Fulvia duo, street and track 124 Spiders, a fun Caravelle – complete with luggage – the obligatory DS and a bonus, not in show fugitive Rapide.
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