Sol Classic Car Club

Visit to Torrevieja

Ten members in five classic cars travelled up to Torrevieja at the beginning of June to visit Club Torrevieja Classics & Specialists Cars. It was a smaller contingent than originally planned since several of those planning to go had last minute problems with their cars or, sadly, with very ill pets.

Nick and Eloise came in their new addition – a 1963 Rover P4, recently arrived from England and affectionately known as "Aunt Rose" (Rosie to her friends); Chris and Kathy O'Neill rearranged their holiday schedule to bring their 1967 Austin Healey Mark III; Ray and Carol Holland led the group in their 1974 MGB GT; Henri plus his cameras drove up with Ted Williams in his 1981 Mercedes 380 SL, while Richard and Jean made the Porsche 911 bring up the rear and saved a great deal more petrol than normal!

There were, naturally, a few "interesting" occurrences en route. Not far from the start, Ted's Mercedes developed an alarming wobble in one of its wheels. A quick stop, an examination and a change of wheel revealed a large blister in one of the rear tyres – no deterrent to the intrepid travellers. The spare was quickly fitted and they were on the road again. Next stop was for coffee – at what was probably the only service station on the route whose coffee machine was not working!

On to the next one. ... Lunch was taken at a venta in a small pueblo off the main road where Nick and Elo's Spanish made everything very easy for the rest of us. It was then time for Aunt Rose to fill up since she was down to her reserve tank. Ironically the next available petrol station was located in the middle of a labyrinth – a town off the beaten track where the one way system was something of a challenge. All this, of course, was gleefully recorded on Henri's video camera!

Finally, rather later than expected (we won't mention the detour to the outskirts of Cartagena because the internet instructions were wrong) all the cars arrived at the Hotel Lo Monte where Angela and David Hudson from the Torre Club were waiting to welcome us with "goody bags" and warm smiles. From the first moment their hospitality was exceptional, nothing was too much trouble. Later that evening we drove across the salt flats to the Cafe Calima (Calima means "sea mist" in Spanish) to meet other members, chat and have a light supper before a welcome rest.

The following morning Ted went in search of tyres with Ray and Carol, while Richard and Jean went in search of a "Concentracion de Porsches" which was supposedly happening nearby. Neither trip was a success! Ted had to wait until the following week for his tyres and the only Porsche visible was the yellow 911 from Coin!

At midday the Torre members came over to take us for a short drive and thence to lunch in Torrevieja itself at the old station restaurant where for the princely sum of 9 Euros we all had a four-course meal with a drink and coffee. We were joined by Michael and Linda Elvans from the Ayora valley in their spectacular red Ferrari. Michael had thought about joining SOL Classic Car Club but hadn't realised just how far away from him we were!

After lunch it was time for some fresh air at the Marina where Henri's camera was busy again, first on the enormous "trike" and then in the tiny Trojan (affectionately known as Hector). David and Angela were in their "coche fantastico", a bright red 39-year-old Seat 600 E, which had recently taken part in the record-breaking concentracion of Seat 600s in Murcia. (see photo below right)

The final evening was hosted by the Hudsons and their neighbours in the form of a street party at their houses where the local Spanish children were equally entertained by the Ferrari and Porsche as by the birthday party going on across the road.

SOL President Gethin Jones had organised a special trophy for the Torre club which Richard presented to David Hudson during the evening to celebrate the formal "twinning" of the clubs. The evening ended in style with a very impressive fireworks display in the street, very noisy, very Spanish and very enjoyable!

The following day we decided to head home in the morning since two of the cars needed a bit of "nursing" at a steady pace. The Torre club members came to wave us off. Hopefully some of them will be able to come down our way in the future and we can return their hospitality.