I’ve meant to share this bunch of car show photos for about a year. Well, better late than never some say. The number of masks on these images will certainly date most to 2022, but next installments will include stuff from 2023 as well.
Car shows are actually a novelty in San Salvador and have become on-and-off weekend events held by City Hall. It’s all part of an effort to revive the long decrepit downtown. Crowds get to be pretty large, and the scenery, between the old cars, the people, and the renovation process, makes for a hectic, fun, and rather surreal experience.
I’ll start with the American and European cars this time, and I’ll leave trucks and Japanese brands for further installments. The models in general, fit within the range of what’s expected on a vintage car show. There won’t be much you haven’t seen before. Still, you’ll get a taste of what automotive life is like down here.
As I said, these events are crowded, so I took the best shots I could. Some cars I just had to skip altogether as there was no way to get a clear image.
In order to avoid most of the crowds, I tend to show up late. I do get slightly clearer images that way, but the downside is that a few participants are already leaving. On my first visit, this 1965 Oldsmobile F-85 was already on its way out. A nice V-8 rumble was heard as it passed slowly by.
A 1950 Plymouth was around the corner, a brand that seems to have been popular over here during the ’50s and ’60s. Lacking a V-8 and being rather unknown today, the Plymouth was curiously solitary.
Ironically, this and the F-85 were the rarest models on display.
The building on the back is the National Theater and has served as the main display area for these shows. This being Latin America, even the best restorations will have some added flair here and there. Like the headlight treatment on this Plymouth.
Two classic-era vehicles were on display, a 1930 Ford and a Chevrolet of similar vintage. I was told both of these were direct imports, sold here back in the day. I didn’t dare to ask about the cartoony ‘Sheriff’ paint motif on the Chevy. Maybe the owner is a ‘Johnny Dangerously’ fan?
The 1930 Model A, on the other hand, was a very clean and nice restoration.
On that same row, a very glitzy 1952 Chevrolet 3500 sat next to a Mini.
The Mini is a worldwide phenomenon, with fans found everywhere. We’re no exception. This particular one was visiting from Guatemala, from that nation’s Mini club.
Since the Chevy ’58 sneaked into the previous shot, as may as well present these two Harley Earl wonders displayed next to the Mini. Whoever placed the three together, seems to have been making some kind of cynical statement.
The Mini and the ’58 with the Continental kit certainly make for a study in contrasts.
Both the ’57 and the ’58 are the kind of American cars that collectors over here covet. Local American iron lovers either lust for finned chrome glitz or muscle car power, the two concepts associated with Detroit’s heyday.
The ’57 drove away a little while later. It appropriately had a nice V-8 rumble.
Talking about excess, this overdone ’56 Beetle was in the same row.
Before I lose most of you, let’s get back to normality. On a more solitary block, another set of antique cars was set up. Here showed up an acquaintance of mine, with his late-sixties Triumph Spitfire Mk3. It was one of the first outings of the car, after a six-year-long restoration.
After parking, people just flocked to this thing, mesmerized. None of them knew what it was, but that didn’t keep them from taking photos and enthusiastically approving of the car.
- What’s it, some kind of Ferrari?
- Nope… a Triumph… a TRIUMPH!
I discovered then that the word ‘Triumph’ is really hard to pronounce for Spanish speakers. But they did try.
With the view of the car now blocked, I had to resort to close-ups.
Luckily, my acquaintance opened the hood and turned the engine on.
The sound of the Spitfire’s Inline-4 was an absolute beauty. Awfully seductive. Everything in the car seemed basic, well laid out, raw, and seductive. A mix of simplicity, beauty and brutality. The mix of attributes that keep old British sports cars in the hearts of a devoted fanbase.
To me, the Spitfire was the highlight of the show.
Let’s head back to the National Theater. The rest of the European display was the ‘usual.’ Models that have a worldwide following, with good reason. Like this late BMW 2002 and the Fiat Spider. As for the Mustang next to it, it almost made an appearance in a previous post of mine.
A few cars away, a rather sinister-looking 1970 (?) Cutlass sat right by the Theater’s entrance. A badge proudly announced its V-8 power.
As daylight faded, more participants left.
A while later, after having a quick bite, I left the event. I caught up with the Spitfire, also in the process of leaving. I followed it through the streets, filled with visitors, areas in renovation, and street artists still performing (a City Hall initiative). It was all rather surreal, but it didn’t keep me from returning a few more times.
Fascinating to see how car shows reflect the specific cultural aspects of their locales. That’s of course even the case in the US, regionally.
“Dolomite Sprint”? On a Spitfire? That’s going to cause a few spilled cups of Earl Grey.
Great to see the car show scene in your neck of the woods, Richie. Eagerly awaiting the Japanese cars edition.
My pick of this lot would be the Plymouth, with a Fiat chaser if possible.
I’ve no idea what’s the deal with that badge. But people just love randomly adding badges over here.
Clearly, The Treasure Of Sierra Madre doesn’t have a following with the locals.
That “V-8” badge on the left side of the trunk lid of the 1970 Cutlass seems to have come from a late or mid 50’s Ford.
At first I wondered if there had been an engine transplant, but when I saw the open hood picture I recognized the stock engine. Still a nice car. My best friend at university had the same model in navy blue. It was a fun car and fairly reliable. The gas filler location was a pain. Almost impossible to fill it without spilling some gas on the body or the trunk lid.
I don’t think any of these cars are overdone. Even the Bug with the rear wheels covered looks tasteful to me. If you want overdone, look at some of the tacky mobiles they do on reality TV car shows.
I had no idea El Salvador had such a big car culture.
Convertibles displayed with the tops up. Unfinished interiors? inoperable tops? Threatening weather? Great selection of vehicles. The “Dolomite Sprint” Triumph is a great looking car. Love to see gearhead culture around the globe.
The overly flashy tendency of Hispanic culture is clearly on display in the paint and accessory laden vehicles. Pretty clear the cultural roots of low rider culture. In the US. Almost as interesting is how the owners manage to hang on to their cars in a violence gang ridden nation where most peasants can’t afford the basics and seem to be fleeing their country and illegally entering the US.
“Almost as interesting is how the owners manage to hang on to their cars in a violence gang ridden nation where most peasants can’t afford the basics and seem to be fleeing their country and illegally entering the US.”
That has been turned around dramatically in the last couple of years by the current leadership of El Salvador who have achieved a startling 80-90% reduction in the murder rate, by putting all the gangs in a mega prison with a capacity of 60,000. There is still poverty but now far less violence and crime and as a result the economy is taking off resulting in greater prosperity and less unemployment, so the poverty will recede in time
I love reading posts like this on car culture from around the world. I’m actually somewhat surprised that the vehicle mix here is mighty similar to what I’d find here in the US. A scattering of old-time classics, lots of American iron from the ’50s and ’60s, some quirky European cars, and even a car with phony Sheriff’s badging (there’s always one).
The standout for me here is the Fiat – it’s surprising to see those anywhere, and it must take a dedicated owner to keep one operable in Central America. Also, I bet the drive down from Guatemala in the Mini must’ve been fun! It’s great to see all the attention the Spitfire’s getting too; your friend must have been awfully pleased.
Great Plymouth too. I love seeing otherwise overlooked cars like this one at shows.
I recall reading about efforts to revitalize San Salvador’s historic district, so I assume this car show is part of that process. It’s a great idea, and looks like it drew a lot of people who probably ordinarily wouldn’t have been there. City Hall looks great in the background of these pictures.
Looking forward to the next installment!
Looks like a fun show. Interesting to see a 58 Chevy and a 57 next to each other. The 58 was a radically different car, but had a few styling cues carried over, like the oval grille and the hash marks on the front fenders.
I love the Plymouth. My aunt and uncle had one in their driveway in the late 50s. Their primary car at the time was a ‘57 Ford wagon. I never saw them actually drive the Plymouth, but they lived on a small farm just outside the city and they probably needed a second vehicle. I was less than 10 years old, so I did not really think about it too much. I don’t think I have seen one in a very long time.