Seventy vintage vehicles from Spain and Portugal will take over Pontevedra’s Praza de España this Sunday. Among the highlights are a 1957 Messerschmitt bubble car and a classic Isocarro, both offering a glimpse into the quirks of European motoring heritage.
This Sunday, Pontevedra’s Praza de España will fill with seventy vintage vehicles from across Galicia and Portugal for the eighth Concentración de Vehículos Clásicos e Antigos. The star attraction is a 1957 Messerschmitt bubble car—a three-wheeled microcar designed by Fritz Frend and built in a former aircraft factory. This particular Messerschmitt, imported from Finland, has never been restored, keeping its original 1950s details intact. Its tandem seating, with one passenger behind the other, is a reminder of the inventive solutions that shaped postwar European motoring. Compared to the large sedans that usually appear at these events, the Messerschmitt’s compact size stands out.
Classic vehicle clubs in the region, like AVA in Pontevedra, keep a busy calendar of events, as shown by dedicated sections on platforms such as Mi Clásico.
The Isocarro motocarro, another three-wheeler, will also be on display. Once a common sight for hauling goods, the Isocarro now serves as a link to a time when city transport was defined by practicality and simplicity. While tuk tuks have taken over tourist routes elsewhere, the Isocarro’s appearance in Pontevedra is a rare nod to the past. These vehicles are now seldom seen on Spanish roads.
The rally isn’t just about unusual vehicles. Visitors will also see classics like the 1930 Ford A Standart Phaeton, a model familiar to film fans and car historians. Vintage buses and other restored vehicles round out the lineup, each with its own story. Organized by the AVA club, the event includes more than static displays: participants will tour the city by catamaran, share a meal, and visit local landmarks, making the rally a full celebration of car culture.
Anabel Gulías, Pontevedra’s councillor for Economic Promotion, described the event as “a journey into the past” that brings life to the city center. Organizers Enrique Vázquez and Manuel González note the rally’s growing draw for tourists, with enthusiasts from both Spain and Portugal coming together over their shared interest in automotive history.
Reports from Diario de León and other regional outlets note that September 2026 has seen a surge in classic vehicle events across northwest Spain, including public exhibitions and rallies in cities like Ponferrada and Vigo. This points to a strong and growing interest in automotive heritage throughout Galicia and neighboring regions, with local calendars regularly featuring gatherings for vintage cars, trucks, and historic machinery.
Interest in classic vehicles has grown in recent years, with events like this one reflecting a fascination with the craftsmanship and stories behind each machine. As reported earlier, the revival of historic models and prototypes continues to attract collectors and the public, showing that mechanical heritage still has a place in a digital world.
Pontevedra’s rally stands out for putting the spotlight on the unusual—the vehicles that don’t fit the usual mold. By featuring the Messerschmitt and Isocarro, the organizers highlight the value of preserving the full range of automotive history. In a country where car culture often focuses on speed and status, this event is a reminder that the outliers have their own stories worth remembering.
