Yesterday, Ortuella's Otxartaga Park was the scene of a gathering of over a hundred classic cars, to the delight of motor enthusiasts and lovers of historic vehicles. The event showcased a variety of iconic models such as the Seat 600, Ford Capri, Renault 5, and Mazda MX-5, as well as unique pieces like the Gordini, Escarabajos, Mitsubishi 3000GT, and Opel Ascona. Additionally, a dozen antique motorcycles and bicycles were also on display, on a day marked by good weather.
From ten in the morning, participants began to arrive, parking their vehicles in a line and transforming the park into a showroom. Many attendees relived childhood memories as the chrome gleamed in the sun. At noon, a route was taken through the surrounding areas, and in the afternoon, awards were presented. These included accolades for the vehicle that traveled the furthest (a Mercedes from Navarra), the most numerous association (Clásicos de Santurce), and the oldest vehicle (an ultralight Goggomobil from Mungia).
“"The cars I saw when I was little are the ones I bring here now; I grew up with them."
The Clásicos Ortuella association is behind the organization, celebrating its twelfth edition this year. As explained by the association president, they previously held the event on Paseo Europa, but the space became too small. He also noted that they usually gather between 130 and 140 cars, depending on the weather. He mentioned that his passion for motoring dates back to his childhood and expressed concern about the future of this hobby, given the low participation of young people.
Among the participants, several personal stories were heard. A 70-year-old resident of Santutxu carefully watched over his Seat 12D Especial 2000, which he bought almost new and, despite receiving offers of 20,000 euros, has no intention of selling. Another participant, a resident of Barakaldo, displayed a Seat 124 that belonged to his father. A proprietor originally from Ortuella, residing in Zumaia, brought an exclusive Ford Capri, emphasizing that such models are rarely seen.
The presence of young people was also notable. A 24-year-old from Getxo, who bought a Volkswagen Jetta five years ago, shared that his passion for classic cars stems from childhood. He attends most of the rallies in the area and values the friendships forged in this environment. Although he admitted he should take better care of his car, he expressed optimism about the future of the hobby, observing a growing interest among young people.
