After an extended and unexpected summer break, Automotive Views is back in business and we start the Fall with coverage of the Cascais Classic Motorshow, a fairly small but well attended event set on the coastal town of Cascais in Portugal. The Cascais Motorshow includes both a Concours d’Elegance, with a very interesting selection of classics on the lawn and open parking spaces for anyone who feels like showing up and showing off their car. The event was once again organized by the Portuguese Auto Club (Automóvel Clube de Portugal) and 2017 marks our second year attending/covering it. So let’s take a look at this year’s edition and what impressed us the most.
Without a doubt, our very favorite entry for the Concours was a stunning 1972 Iso Grifo IR8 Can Am. Perfection on wheels, beautifully maintained. Originally a museum piece, this particular example was purchased by the current owner when the institution holding it fell on hard times. You can read more about the amazing Grifo IR8 on a previous Automotive Views Post here.
Another big part of the 2017 Concours was the “Lancia celebration”. For a special wink and nod to the Italian manufacturer, Cascais welcomed – among others – Rally royalty like the 037 and Stratos (stradale versions), as well as classics like a couple of Aurelia B20s (1952 & 1953) and two perfectly stunning Flaminias, one Touring (1960) and one Cabriolet (1963).
Sticking with the Italians, we have to mention a pair of very nice Dinos (GTS) which are always a welcome addition to any show and, off the (main) lawn, a 456 which has become kind of a rare sight these days.
E-Types are always crowd pleasers (with very good reason) and curiously, all the Series 1s which graced Cascais with their presence this year were of dark colors, something that suits them perfectly but which tends not to be a very common sight.
Other noteworthy Jags included a couple of MkII 3.8s, a wonderful 1954 XK 120 and a few lovely XJ6 MkI.
Anyone who knows AV knows we love Mercedes and at the Cascais Motorshow, we couldn’t help but fall in love with a 300SEL 6.3, formerly with the Portuguese Government in Azores. Another Merc which impressed the crowds was the 280 3.5 Coupe we’ve already feature in this blog a couple of times but that we love seeing again and again. Still on the Mercedes noteworthy list, we couldn’t help but feature the beautiful Heckflosse wagon, a Portuguese conversion (by the Movauto factory) which took the already wonderfully fun fintail and made it even better.
Representing Aston Martin was a perfect 1958 DB2/4 MkIII, a truly stunning car. Close by, two design icons: the 1956 T-Bird and the 1957 Corvette.
Since we’re on American icons, let’s talk Cadillac. Specifically, let’s take a moment to enjoy the voluptuous curves of 1941 Series 61 Coupe, the 1952 Series 62 Coupe and the 1956 Series 62 Sedan. We can also mention the titanic 1958 Series 62 Convertible and its very impressive chrome bumpers which are almost micro car car length on their own.
Let’s not forget to mention a couple of interesting Rolls Royces as well, namely a – return from last year’s edition – great looking Silver Shadow (accompanied by a little Fulvia), a 1937 25/30 Windovers and an imposing 1937 Phantom III purchased by the Portuguese government for a visit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957 (the government couldn’t get a new car so it went with the Prince of Berar’s former Rolls Royce).
Among the early motoring presences worth mentioning are certainly a 1931 Pierce Arrow B43 Convertible, a Portuguese made 1937 Edfor Grand Sport and an enormous and very yellow 1930 Packard.
We’ll leave you with a few more honorable mentions that need no introduction and we look forward to next year’s edition of the Cascais Classic Motorshow!