AVW camper with a surfboard on the roof used to be the height of beach cool, but in Portugal it’s starting to lose its appeal. Here in Europe's waveriding mecca, resentment is growing towards the van life’ crowd hipsters who live and travel in specially converted vehicles. These ever-bigger machines block the narrow coastal paths and hog the best parking spots. During Covid lockdowns, things reached a peak and an influx of foreigners rained down on this small country, leaving the local police no alternative but to crack down on people sleeping in their vans outside official spots.
As a result, a growing community of local surfers is choosing to distance itself from this traditional surfing stereotype by driving different classic cars to the waves. Popular beach car parks are becoming unofficial miniconcours shows, with unique and bespoke vehicles on display, but before you start imagining Pebble Beach let’s set a few things straight: in this world, getting to the waves with a board and wetsuit is still the priority. Bumps and scratches on bodywork are also part and parcel of things but nevertheless these vehicles remain a glorious expression of individuality, freedom and style. While there is a significant grassroots element, with many surfers restoring under-appreciated vehicles to original condition, the movement is defined by professionally prepared cars that share a pastel-hued aesthetic. Crack out the factor 50 sunblock: it’s time to head to the beach and find out more.
Tyson Ballard, Lisbon
1959 PORSCHE 356
Denne historien er fra December 2022-utgaven av Octane.
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Denne historien er fra December 2022-utgaven av Octane.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Will China Change Everything? - China is tearing up modern motor manufacture but is yet to make more than a ripple in the classic car world. That could be about to change dramatically
China now dominates the automotive world in a way even Detroit in its heyday would have struggled to comprehend.Helped by Government incentives, the new car world is dominated by China's industries: whether full cars that undercut Western models by huge amounts, ownership of storied European brands such as Lotus and Volvo, or ownership and access to the vast majority of raw materials that go into EV cars, its influence is far-reaching and deep. However, this automotive enlightenment hasn't manifested itself in the classic world in any meaningful way - until now.
Jem Marsh
The hard-bitten Marcos boss was driven like few others and never knew when he was beaten. Thankfully
Vandamm House
A Mid-Century Modernist masterpiece that was immortalised on celluloid - despite never actually existing
Making light
Alfa Romeo's post-war renaissance began with the 1900 saloon - and matured with Zagato's featherweight coupé version, as Jay Harvey discovers
FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE
Is burgeoning classic car interest in the Middle East good for the global classic market? Nathan Chadwick investigates
Before the beginning
This rare Amazon Green pre-production Range Rover is Velar chassis number 4. James Elliott charts its historically revealing factory restoration
Ben Cussons
As the outgoing chairman of the Royal Automobile Club hands on to his successor, Robert Coucher quizzes him about the evolution of this great British institution
BULLDOG & THE PUPPIES
We gather five motoring masterpieces by avant-garde designer William Towns - and drive all of them
Below the tip of the Audrain iceberg
As the Audrain organisation grows, we take a look behind the scenes at the huge car collection that feeds it
Flying the Scottish flag
Young Ecurie Ecosse driver Chloe Grant gets to grips with the Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-type at Goodwood. Matthew Hayward is Octane's witness
