Autoclásica 2024, the most important exhibition of collectible cars and motorcycles in South America, opened its doors.
Until Sunday, October 13 inclusive, the San Isidro Hippodrome boulevard will be the setting for visitors to enjoy more from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. more than 1,100 jewels in impeccable state of conservation that can hardly be found in another similar event in the region.
Organized by the Classic Car Club of Argentina (CAC), at Autoclásica it will be possible to meet personalities from the motor world, while a specialized jury will award this Saturday the Prize for the Best Preserved Vehicle of the exhibition, an award with international recognition that positions the winner at the highest level of classic cars.
As in all editions, the expo celebrates different anniversaries that bring together examples of brands that can rarely be seen on the street. Below, the must-sees of Autoclásica 2024.
120 years of Rolls Royce
On May 4, the traditional English car brand turned 120 years old. And as expected, Autoclásica has a reserved space with more than a dozen copies that review its rich history.
Those who enter from the parking lot will be able to see the exquisite series Silver Cloud that shone in the 50s and 60s, like the Silver Wraith and Silver Dawn of the 50s.
The main course is six exponents of the 20’s decade exhibited in a tent, where Phantom and Twenty models stand out.
70 years of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
One of the most coveted models by iron fans is the famous “Gull Wings”, the legendary German model with an upward door opening system.
This series, created based on the 300 SL W194 (the brand’s first racing car after World War II) offers coupe versions “Gullwing”, which were manufactured between 1954 and 1957 (1,400 units) and roadsters, of which 1,858 examples were produced between 1957 and 1961.
The SL series, whose meaning in German is “Sport Leicht” (light sports car) is an emblem for the company, both in sports competitions and in street models.
Maserati 110th anniversary
The Italian brand offers two different samples at Autoclásica. On the one hand, its sports history; and on the other, its history as a car manufacturer.
In homage to its tradition on the tracks, Autoclásica brought together four monopostos with great significance for Argentine motorsports: the 1940 8CL Grand Prix with which Raúl Riganti raced the Indianapolis 500, the 4CL Grand Prix with which Carlos Fortunati Firpo raced the Buenos Aires Grand Prix, the 250 F Grand Prix that José Froilán González drove in the 1956 Argentine GP, and the 4CLT (1949) with which Fangio achieved five victories in Europe).
On the other hand, examples from the sixties and seventies that were created by the most prestigious designers in the industry are exhibited. Among them are a 1974 Maserati Merak (Giorgetto Giugiaro), a 1976 Khamsin (Marcello Gandini/Bertone), a 1971 Indy (Virginio Vairo/Vignale) and a 1967 Mistral (Pietro Frua), among others.
60 years of Porsche 911
It was impossible for one of the most prestigious sports cars in the world not to have its recognition in Autoclásica.
The Porsche Club Argentina together with the importer Nordenwagen display around twenty versions of all time on the main boulevard of the property, where there is no shortage of gems such as the Targa and the RS, among others.
60 years of the Ford Mustang
There have never been so many Mustangs together at an Autoclásica show like this year. The person in charge of such a display is the Mustang Club of Argentina, which landed on the main boulevard with several dozen units from all eras.
The best-selling sports car on the planet is represented by all its generations, in a stand where there is no shortage of live music.
Japanese from the 90s
You don’t have to go far back in time to consider a car classic and the collection of Japanese models from the 90s at Autoclásica 2024 is the best example of this.
It is the first thing that visitors who enter through the pedestrian entrance will see and those who are in their forties will surely see some of the specimens that they dreamed of in their adolescence.
An Acura NSX, a Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR-4 and a Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T, among others, surprise those who walk into the exhibition.
motorcycle neighborhood
In the heart of the property, in an area isolated from cars, is this space for two-wheeled fans.
Several clubs exhibit models from all eras and brands; from the Harley-Davidson of 1900, through the classic English ones (Norton, AJS, Triumph, among others) to the Japanese ones that left their mark in the 80s. There is also a space dedicated to the national industry, represented by Moto Puma .
The simulators
This edition of Autoclásica will be remembered as the one of the simulators. In the first tent on the property, entering through the parking lot, visitors will be able to ride a life-size replica of the Argentine’s Williams FW46. Franco Colapinto, and “run” a lap around the Monza circuit.
Among other simulators and games, at the TMA brand stand there is also a F-16 motion simulatorthe combat aircraft that the Ministry of Defense has just incorporated for the Air Force.
Useful information
Ticket sales are available through Ticketek or at the venue’s box office (event days only) and have a final cost of $25,000.
Autoclásica has parking within the property, the value of which is $10,000, which will be allocated to the Dr. Carlos Gianantonio Municipal Maternal and Child Hospital in San Isidro.
Place: San Isidro Racecourse. The pedestrian entrance will be through the corner of Santa Fe and Márquez avenues, while the entrance to the parking lot will be through the corner of Santa Fe and Unidad Nacional avenues.
Dates and times: from Thursday, October 10 to Sunday, October 13 (inclusive), from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Additional data: There are no discounts for retirees and entry with animals is prohibited. Nor can you ride a bicycle or skateboard within the property. The event is not canceled due to rain.
Photo contest: Those who visit the exhibition may participate by sending up to 10 photos taken during any day of the expo. Only sharp photos with a resolution greater than 1024 pixels on one side will be accepted. They will be received until October 20 and the grand prize is $150,000 and four tickets for the 2025 edition.