Telephone 96 571 6360
email davidclubtorre@terra.es
Brief History of Club Torrevieja
Following on from an Exhibition of Classic Cars to support a Concert of the 60s & 70s in the Eras del Sal, Torrevieja on the 4th October 2006 (2 weeks after the Exhibition) the first meeting was held to form a Classic Car Club in Torrevieja organised by David Hudson, the then Vice President and a founder of the Club del 600 y Clasicos de Orihuela y Vega Baja, together with 3 other local enthusiasts. The main purpose was to provide a Classic Car Club for the International Community who often find difficulty in coping with speaking Spanish all the time.
From the 70 people attending the first meeting 17 had classic cars in Spain. Due to the professional way in providing a club that gives the member what they want, as at the end of March 2008, 18 months later the club has 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, Sweden and Canada also having representatives from Canada and Britain at its meetings. The web site has stimulated interest from many countries who contact the Club for advice on many problems. English speakers in 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 has had 28 events which include 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. 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. Just in case anyone was thinking they were getting old the Club travelled nearly to Granada to drive Ginetta racing cars and their own classic cars on the Guadix Circuit. Quiz country drives were also part of their itinerary 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 18 months old it has achieved a great deal and the Chairman drove his 1970 SEAT 600 to Madrid taking a gift from the Mayor of Torrevieja to the Mayor of Madrid in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the little 600. While the President drove his 1973 SAAB 97 Sonett III from Torrevieja to the SAAB Swedish Convention. These leaders of the club showed by example what are possible. This year in May the two pensioners, David & Angie Hudson, in their 1970 600 will travel from Torrevieja to Granada, Seville, Huelva, Faro in Portugal on to Lisbon and through the dessert of Estremadura on to Cuidad Real, Albacete and Hellin returning to Torrevieja. A total of 2000 kms.
Finally to celebrate the Club there is a special event which includes the members visiting the Submarine and Customs Boat and the Sea & Salt museum, ending with a presentation to the Town Hall by the Club Torrevieja. This has been organised with the help of the Torrevieja Town Hall for Sunday 27th April.
Everyone is welcome to come and visit our display of Classic and Specialist Cars on this very special day.
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