We share photos of the 2018 Desfile de Autos Clasicos (Classic Car Parade), which is one of the most popular events during La Feria de las Flores in Medellín.
The 2018 Desfile de Autos Clasicos (Classic Car Parade) was Saturday, August 11, in Medellín. This is one of the two biggest events of La Feria de las Flores (Festival of Flowers) in Medellín. This year was the 23rd year for the classic car parade.
It was estimated that well over 1 million people saw the 2018 Desfile de Autos Clasicos on August 11, 2018 in Medellín. This was likely more than the 800,000 to 1 million people that were expected at the flower parade (Desfile de Silleteros) this year.
Note, the above photo is a 1933 Chevrolet from the parade this year. And we have many more photos from this year’s car parade in this article. You can also see our photos from the 2017 Desfile de Autos Clasicos (Classic Car Parade) last year.
1900 De Dion-Bouton
The oldest car in this year’s Desfile de Autos Clasicos was a 1900 De Dion-Bouton, seen in the photo above. But the car wasn’t being driven. Instead it was pulled by a 1929 Ford Model A. Last year the same 1900 De Dion-Bouton was driven in the parade.
1929 Ford Model A pulling the 1900 De Dion Bouton
De Dion-Bouton was a French automobile manufacturer from 1883 to 1932. 1900 was one of the first years this company made a four-wheel vehicle. And the company built a total of only 400 cars in 1900. It also built powered tricycles. The 1900 vehicle has a 402-cc single-cylinder engine under the seat. Furthermore, in this car the passenger interestingly faces the driver.
2018 Desfile de Autos Clasicos (Classic Car Parade)
Colombians have some very old cars that are in excellent condition. And each year Colombians come from all over the country to participate in the car parade. This year in the parade I saw cars from Bogotá, Cali, Manizales, Pereira and several other cities.
Every year, Colombians dust their cars off, dress up in costumes and go for a drive in the classic car parade in Medellín. Reportedly over 300 vehicles participated this year.
The vehicles in Desfile de Autos Clasicos are in several categories, including
- Old vehicles– cars which are at least 35 years old. And they must retain their original specifications.
- Classic vehicles– cars which are at least 50 years old. And they must retain their original features and specifications.
- Street rod vehicles– cars which are at least 35 years old and retain the completely original exterior and all accessories, emblems and mirrors. Inside parts and mechanicals can change but these should not be noticeable from the outside.
- Hot rod vehicles– cars that were completely changed in the mechanics, suspension and body. This includes finishes such as paint and upholstery typically very different from the original. There is a limit of 25 cars in this category selected by a committee.
- Vehicles produced, assembled or distributed in Colombia– cars included in this category must be at least 35 years old and at least 95 percent original.
In addition, there is a special category for military Jeeps and Volkswagens.
How to Participate in the 2018 Desfile de Autos Clasicos
To participate in the 2018 Desfile de Autos Clasicos, a driver would have needed to pay a fee of 150,000 pesos from April 1 to June 15, or 250,000 pesos from June 16 to July 15 or 500,000 pesos from July 16 to July 31. So, there is a benefit for signing up early to participate.
Most noteworthy, these are the same fees as last year. In addition, each vehicle in the parade was accepted by a committee.
Also, drivers needed to attend a meeting before the parade. The parade organizers scheduled three of these meetings in July. And it was required for drivers to attend one of the meetings to learn about the parade.
My Experience at the 2018 Desfile de Autos Clasicos (Classic Car Parade)
The car parade during Feria de las Flores is an extremely popular event every year. I saw many families this year as usual, as this is a family friendly event. And the weather was very nice.
In addition, there were many vendors walking along the route as usual selling cold sodas, water, beers, ice cream, chips, candy and other snacks, plus hats and sunglasses
In several past years, I normally went to the Industriales metro station and found a place along the route near the big Bancolombia headquarters building.
But this year the 15.1 km route in Medellín and Envigado was the same as last year. And the longest part of the route was on Avenida Las Vegas, where the crowd is more spread out.
Map of Classic Car Parade route, courtesy of Desfile de Autos Clasicos
So, like last year I went to the Ayurá metro station and walked about five minutes to Avenida Las Vegas. And I found a good place along the route with shade that would be a good to take photos.
Normally the classic car parade runs pretty smoothly in my experience. This year it started on schedule like last year.
However, I noticed there were a few gaps this year like last year, where vehicles would pass and then nothing would come for a while.
Photos from the 2018 Desfile de Autos Clasicos (Classic Car Parade)
Here are over 25 more photos from the 2018 classic car parade in Medellín, which show many of the vehicles in the parade.
1928 Humbert
1932 Oldsmobile
1934 Ford
1934 Ford
1936 Ford
1939 Chevrolet
1948 Chrysler Windsor
1949 Packard Henney Hearse
1950 Studebaker Champion
1950 Willys C13A
1952 Willys M606
1954 Buick Super
1955 Ford F100
1955 Willys M38A1
1956 Chevrolet Bel Air
1956 Ford Fairlane
1959 Chevrolet Apache
1966 Ford F100
1966 GMC
1966 Seat 600
1967 Ford Mustang
1969 Ford Mustang
1969 Jeep Commando
1969 Volkswagen Kombi
1972 Triumph GT6
1974 Volkswagen Safari
1978 Chevrolet Corvette
The Bottom Line: 2018 Desfile de Autos Clasicos (Classic Car Parade)
The bottom line is this is an event that is worth going to every year. And this was the ninth year I have been to Desfile de Autos Clasicos.
Each year I have seen many new cars that haven’t been in the parade before. Typically, up to about 30 to 40 percent of the cars are new. So, you can see new cars in the parade every year.
Sign up for the Free Medellin Guru Newsletter – You can see all of the previous Medellin Guru weekly email newsletters and sign up here.
8 thoughts on “2018 Desfile de Autos Clasicos (Classic Car Parade) Photos”
Thank you!
Are most of these cars built in colombia or brought over from the US. I am interested in moving to colombia and also own several hot rods.
Most of the older cars were likely brought from the U.S. or imported from the U.S. many years ago and kept in shape or restored. You can import “classic” older cars or brand new cars to Colombia. But you can’t import newer used cars. Except for diplomatic use or classic cars – you’re simply not allowed to bring a used vehicle into Colombia.
To meet the requirements for older cars there are reportedly 2 categories:
– Vintage/Collector Car: Must be an automobile over 35 years old which has retained its original features and factory specifications.
– Classic Car: Must be an automobile over 50 years old which in addition to retaining its original features and factory specifications corresponds to specific brands, series and models…
Also, you need an import license, which is granted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism plus a certificate from the Colombian Automobile Club. In addition, there are import duties. So, lots of hassle to bring a car to Colombia.
I, recently found your website as I was looking at possibly relocating from my home in Kingman Az, to Central or South.America. I had visited Ecuador twice and lived for a short time but decided to return to the US. I started looking again recently as I have become somewhat disenchanted with what is taking place in the US. I am also a 100% disabled veteran and wondering if I would be covered medically as I am in the US. I had narrowed down originallythree areas that I was interested in relocating to in the future,Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico. My main focus was Costa Rica after researching the others beautiful country and they had a Cima hospital that was affiliated with the one in Dallas, Texas which would cover me also. I see in one of your blogs you have someone who seems knowledgeable about veterans benefits and would they be covered in Colombia. After, reading your blogs and others about Medellin and surrounding areas I have become extremely interested and intend to make it my priority for a residence in the near future, I was very impressed with the versus blogs of that area as I have not seen anyone else do anything like that sort of material,which, I feel is very much needed by anyone interested in relocating to that area of Colombia. Again,Thank you for all the information I so desperately needed for decision making and appreciate any additional info for questions that may arise. My next step, of course, is boots on the ground
Thank you
Stan
Looks like a great time! I love going with my dad to car festivals. I see how a 60 year old man turns into a 15 year old car loving enthusiastic kid! I myself am a sucker for those 50’s styled pickup trucks, gorgeous craftmanship.
Great pics, but you might correct just one date: DeDion started building cars in 1890 (1990 I might have remembered 🙂 )
Cheers
Harry
Thanks for catching the 1990 typo – it’s fixed to 1900. In 1890, De Dion was making powered tricycles. The first 4-wheeler by De Dion was a steam car reportedly in 1883 that burned to the ground in trials followed by La Marquise in 1884. So, 1900 was still one of it’s first few years of making “cars”.
Nice photos and thanks for the article. I couldn’t go this year but hope to go next year.