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.
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