The day Cantanhede was invaded by English classics

Initiative brought together three dozen British cars from various eras. Models that are part of automotive history help institutions.

First came an Austin Healy and a Lotus, around 11 am. About 40 minutes later, the rest arrived, which included Minis, MG, Land Rover and a Rolls Royce, a 1951 model. In total, there were about 30 classic cars, all English, that invaded the center of Cantanhede, next to the City Council, at an event organized by the “Ingleses do Centro”, a group of English car enthusiasts that formed a year ago in Coimbra and that this Saturday held the first gathering outside the municipality where it was founded.

The concentration, in addition to socializing and showing models that are part of automotive history, also has a solidarity purpose. “The money raised by registrations is always channeled to an institution of social solidarity or public utility. The funds for this event will be donated to the Filarmónica dos Covões, in Cantanhede, which celebrates its 155th anniversary this year”, tells JN Álvaro Amaral , one of the founders of the “English Center”.

Álvaro Amaral founded the group with Luís Plácido Santos and currently has around 120 members. The first two events took place in Coimbra, with a concentration in downtown in September 2022, and a second at a company stand a few months later.

Today’s initiative was the first outside the municipality of Coimbra. “It’s an area that means a lot to me because I worked here and I spend my holidays in the neighboring municipality, in Mira”, reveals Luís Plácido Santos, professor and enthusiast of English classic cars. Cantanhede took its green MG. “I have two of this brand, but I brought this one for this one”, he points out.

Cars from all over the region

Luís Matos came from Coimbra in the MG he bought 35 years ago. He is a fan of classic cars in general, with a preference for British cars. “Growing up, my favorite car was the Jaguar, but I never got to own one,” he jokes. The MG he’s had for almost four decades is one of his riches. “I like him a lot and I always like to come to these kinds of events”, he reveals.

From Figueira da Foz arrived Vítor Costa with his blue Rolls Royce. The car is 72 years old, but Vítor no longer remembers how long he has had it. “It’s already part of the furniture,” he points out. Vítor Costa has a car repair shop in Figueira da Foz, where he cultivates his taste for classic cars. “I have several, from various brands,” he says.