Citroëns Abound in Argentina at Autoclásica 2023

From October 12 to 16, the twenty-first edition of Autoclásica, the largest classic car and motorcycle festival in South America, was held at the Gardens of the San Isidro Hippodrome in Buenos Aires-Argentina.

Citroëns made quite an impression in the exhibition that was attended by 1,100 international classic vehicles. While it was an excellent opportunity to celebrate 75 years of the 2CV, several special automotive anniversaries were recognized:

• 60 years of Lamborghini,
• Porsche’s 75th anniversary
• Corvette’s 70th Anniversary
• The 100th anniversary of the legendary Le Mans endurance race
• 110 years of the Aston Martin
• 120th year of Ford.

To celebrate of the 75th anniversary of the 2CV and other Citroën’s on display, the Citroën Club Buenos Aires exhibited a wide variety of models at its stand that showed the the history of the iconic model.  In this group composed of about 13 vehicles, there were:

• several 2CV Sedans that were made in Argentina (the oldest being from 1960)
• a 2CV Fourgonette
• 2CV AZUP (pick up)
• a 2CV Sahara (replica)
• a 2CV Barbot (replica)
• some 3CV (the successor of the 2CV in Argentina) — including a version that participated in the Argentine historic Grand Prix.

Complementing the Club stand, were an IES America, Dyane 6 and a CX Athena.

Going through the exhibition, one could find at the CAdeAA stand a beautifully preserved Traction Avant 15 Light, (manufactured in Slough, England). Also on display at the Military Vehicles Club stand was a scenography representing the French resistance during the Second World War with, of course, a Traction!

On Sunday, October 15, the awards ceremony was held in the different categories. The top winner, named “Best of Show,” was the Ford Model K Touring (1906), while in the motorcycle category, the “Best of Show” went to a Vincent Black Shadow (1951). The FIVA award went to a Chrysler Sedan (1925). And a Citroën 2CV (1960) won 2nd place in the category “Argentine Industry of European Origin”.

Source and photos: Alejandro Beiroa.