Back in September 2006, a group of classic car enthusiasts put on a display on Torrevieja’s Vista Alegre Promenade as part of fun filled evening called ‘Last Night on the Proms’ a night of 60’s and 70’s nostalgia at Eras de la Sal. Two weeks later on October 4, 2006, a small group of enthusiasts banded together and decided it was time that Torrevieja had it’s own International Motoring Club. The main purpose was to provide a Classic Car Club for the International Community who often find difficulty in coping with the Spanish language and to encourage expat residents to join in the fun that that classic or specialist car ownership can bring.
From the 70 people attending the first meeting 17 had classic cars in Spain. Just 18 months later, in March 2008, Club Torrevieja had grown to 83 members of which more than 10 who joined without having a Classic Car became so enthusiastic from being in the Club they now have classic cars, some of which have been saved from the scrap yard. Saving Classic Cars is one of the main objectives of the Club while the other is integration and again this has been achieved with members from English, German, Spanish and Scandinavian speaking countries joining the club.
Club Torrevieja has raised the image of Classic Cars in Alicante and Murcia areas so that the International Community is aware that a strong Classic Car community for foreigners exists. This has helped existing Clubs and helped form other Clubs much to the benefit of Internationals as the Spanish Classic Car Club of Orihuela did for the Spanish Community in this area. This high profile has meant that it is known in Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Germany, USA and Canada. The web site has stimulated interest from many countries who contact the Club for advice on many problems. English speakers from the Costa Blanca, Costa Calida, Costa Brava, Costa del Sol, Cadiz, Valladolid and Valencia have contacted the Club with problems on importing Classic Cars, how to change to Spanish registration, Parts and recommended Spare part companies, and asking for the nearest Classic Car Clubs to them plus many other questions.
Club Torrevieja is a Spanish registered Club but has the International Language of English for much of its communication. The Club is a legally registered club within the province of Alicante and this means that it is able to provide accreditation of Classic and Historic Cars for proof in changing to Spanish registration, insurance and police purposes also valuation for insurance for members of the Club. This also helps in seeking permission for activities in Towns and Cities. To achieve the aim of the Club in assisting drivers to understand the differences and laws of Spain, Club Torrevieja has had two Drivers Awareness Campaigns which gave advice of dealing with the heavy rains and flooding, what documents to carry in the car and advice, differences in driving on the roads and changing to Spanish registration.
But the reason for the Club to be formed was to keep old cars on the road and not in garages or museums for the pleasure of the drivers and the public to enjoy seeing them being driven. To this end the Club had 28 events in their first 18 months, which included exploring the provinces of Alicante and Murcia. These have ranged from hill climbs to Santuario de la Fuensanta, Murcia, Seminary of Orihuela and Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante. The club members celebrated Spanish Fools Day and visited the Sierras of Monte Alto, Callosa, de Espuña in Murcia and the Valley of Cenizes, Murcia and many others.
The Club have been invited to National Concentrations of Classic Cars in Pilar de la Horadada, Lo Pagan in Mar Menor and Caravaca both in Murcia and Alicante. Just in case anyone was thinking they were getting on a bit, the Club travelled nearly to Granada to drive Ginetta racing cars and their own classic cars on the Guadix Circuit. Country drives were also part of their itineraries and they managed to fit in a visit to the Aeronautical Museum in Alcazares and the Carriage Museum in El Algar.
Though the Club is only four-years old it has achieved a great deal. To celebrate the Club, there was a special event in April 2008, which included the members visiting the Submarine Delfin S-61, Albatross Customs Boat and a tour by 'train' around the City, ending with a presentation to the Town Hall by the Club Torrevieja. This was organised with the help of the Torrevieja Town Hall on Sunday 27th April, 2008.
Everyone is welcome to come and visit our displays of Classic and Specialist Cars at any of our regular outings.
We look forward to seeing you there and also helping to keeping 'your' special car on the road.
The team at Club Torrevieja.