A 1957 Messerschmitt KR200 microcar, untouched and straight from Finland, will headline the Pontevedra classic car event. Seventy vintage vehicles from Spain and Portugal are set to transform the city’s main square for one day only.
This Sunday, a 1957 Messerschmitt KR200 will roll into Pontevedra’s Plaza de España. Still in its original, unrestored condition and arriving from Finland, the three-wheeled microcar is expected to be the main attraction at the VIII Concentración de Vehículos Históricos Cidade de Pontevedra.
The KR200 stands out among the usual lineup of polished sedans and convertibles. Designed by Fritz Fend and built by Messerschmitt—better known for its aircraft—the KR200 was Germany’s postwar answer to the need for cheap, efficient transport. Its tandem seats and bubble canopy make it a curiosity even for experienced collectors. Historical reviews often describe the KR200 as a symbol of Germany’s postwar "scarcity mobility," when practical, weather-protected vehicles were in high demand.
Pontevedra regularly uses classic cars as a citywide cultural format, not just as a static exhibition, with events organized jointly by municipal authorities and enthusiast associations to promote historic transport and boost tourism.
Seventy vehicles from Galicia and Portugal will be on display, including a 1930 Ford A Phaeton and a motocarro Iso Carro. From 10:00 to 20:00, visitors can get a close look at these machines and see how automotive design has changed over the decades. Regional reports note that similar events in Galicia focus not just on entertainment, but also on showing the evolution of automotive engineering.
The organizers—among them Anabel Gulías from the city council and members of the Asociación de Vehículos Antigos—highlight the visual and historical value of the exhibition. Their goal is to offer more than nostalgia: they want to show how engineering and design have shaped mobility on the Iberian Peninsula. This approach reflects a wider trend in Spain, where classic vehicle events are seen as both public and educational experiences, according to local media and cultural groups.
The program goes beyond a simple car show. Registered participants will take a catamaran cruise along the Pontevedra estuary, with an aperitif on board, followed by a group lunch at Casa Digna and time to explore the city’s historic streets. The mix of social and cultural activities is meant to make the gathering a full-day celebration of automotive heritage.
Recent years have seen a noticeable rise in interest in microcars and historic automotive events across the region. Reports from similar routes in Castilla y León indicate that around 15 microcars and classic vehicles from the 1950s–1960s participate, with events open to the public and focused on cultural and tourist engagement.
Interest in compact and unusual vehicles is nothing new in Europe. As reported earlier, the continent has seen a wave of creative engineering, from telescopic caravans to electric city cars, each reflecting different responses to changing lifestyles and city life.
What makes this year’s Pontevedra event different is the appearance of the Messerschmitt KR200 in its original, unrestored state. It’s a reminder that a classic car doesn’t need to be polished to perfection to have a story. By putting the spotlight on such a rare, untouched microcar, the organizers are showing a shift in what collectors and the public value: authenticity, originality, and the visible marks of history. In a world where flawless restorations often get the most attention, Pontevedra’s choice quietly argues for the real character of classic motoring.
