Sol Classic Car Club

Return to Montejaque - in the sunshine!

After the Club's first visit in the miserable January weather (see Previous Events January 2010), the return visit in June took place on an ideal day with typical Andalusian blue sky and streaming sunshine, perfect for a scenic drive through the Sierras de las Nieves and into the Serrania de Ronda. The route, starting this time from our new home, the Marbella Golf and Country Club, went once again through the pueblos of Monda and Guaro, then climbed past Alozaina, up to Yunquera and then swooped down through the Puerto de las Abejas to El Burgo.

This time the mountainous scenery could be seen at its best, the dry road surface allowed drivers to have a little fun, and at the coffee stop (where earlier in the year there had been thunder, lightning and torrential rain) members and guests could linger outside on the patio at Venta El Yoni, enjoying the warmth and the view.

The mountain road from El Burgo through to Ronda must be one of the most spectacular drives in the area and the air was crystal clear as the cars swept past the huge rock formations and seemingly endless valleys, a far cry from the low cloud and foaming water which covered it on our first trip. The huge lake which had formed just outside Montejaque has disappeared completely.

Our arrival in the pueblo, where the mayor had kindly closed off the town square for the display was, again, greeted by great enthusiasm from the locals – though this time they didn't need umbrellas! The cars completely filled the space available and enthusiasts, young and old, swarmed around to look at, in and under them.

Of special interest was the beautiful green 1971 E-type S3 -V12 lovingly restored by Rob and Luci van Zanten, who had driven all the way over from the Vinuela area to join us. Other marques on display included Rolls Royce, Porsche, Austin Healey, TR, MG and Ford (the Mustang of new member John Richardson having its first outing with the Club).

Members and friends had lunch, in El Elefante Amarillo, the boutique hotel on the square, where they were once again treated to an excellent spread by hotel owner Chris Risbey, his new chef Gordon Brown (no relation!) and the rest of the hotel staff. If anything the meal surpassed the one in January, no mean feat – no-one could possibly have left the table feeling hungry and several could be heard discussing the next visit!

Fourteen members and friends stayed on for the night and, after a sociable evening and a hearty breakfast, enjoyed a pleasant tour of the Guadiaro and Genal Valleys on Sunday morning under a perfect blue Andalucian sky, taking in the pueblos blancos of Cortes de la Frontera, Algotocin, Jimera de Libar and ending up at the beautiful riverside hotel Molino del Santo in Benaojan for a coffee and some light refreshment before making their separate ways home. The Molino del Santo will be our lunch destination in July and, judging from reports, will be something quite special. Thanks to Bob who organised the two days and blazed the trails in his cream Rolls Royce!

Click for more photos at Secret Andalucia

Classics on Wheels

Classics on Wheels® Marbella 2010 was organised and hosted in Puerto Banus on Sunday 27th June by the American Classic Car Owners Club and several SOL members were among the 150 owners and families who participated. The show celebrated all makes and models, with a display of more than 78 classic cars ranging from the most accessible and popular to the outrageous and exotic.

Winners of the Concours d'Elegance were:

Oldest classic at show – Austin 12/4 tourer, 1925 (Trevor Lester)

Best restored to original – MGB 1800 (Augustin Lopez)

Best original – Morris Cowley, 1925 (Stefan Nicholson)

Best US classic – Packard 120 sedan, 1940 (Sergio Lopez)

Best European classic – Citroen DS 23 Pallas , 1974, (Rafael Sanchez)

Best in show – Rolls Royce Phantom II (Jose Luis Gomez)