Although it may not be as large as it once was, but there’s always something different to see at Open Base Day, and it’s still a fantastic way to spend the day.
Due to security reasons, this major event in my hometown has seen its covered area significantly reduced year after year. Held at a Portuguese military air base shared with the United States Air Force, we’re lucky to still be able to attend such an event.
Everything is very well organized! They showcase whatever aircraft are available on the strip and open them to the public. Even people who aren’t attracted to planes or are afraid to fly love to get inside an AgustaWestland EH101 helicopter or take a look to the F-16 fighter jet’s cockpit.
Personally, I go crazy when they bring a C5 Super Galaxy! Can you imagine being able to walk end to end inside that massive cargo plane?
All right, maybe I should tone it down a bit…
I’ll stick to the cars from now on, but if you’re curious and want to see more of this fantastic event, click here to visit my photography website.
In previous editions, we were delighted by the rides the Americans brought to the island. These were exclusive USDM or JDM models not available around here, not even on mainland Portugal. I still remember the locals racing 1.2L Renault Clios against the “competition”, who had fully kitted Focus ZX3s and Civics straight out a Fast and Furious movie. I won’t even mention all the American Muscle or the Hummer H2s and Escalades on massive wheels. Back then, Terceira island was like real-life Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition. Good times, good times…
Now, we have to settle for more humble rides but that’s not bad at all!
Usually, a classic car isn’t a daily driver. Unless you are “Sr. João”, also known as “my dad”, who drives his 1973 Volkswagen Thing every day, everywhere. Recently, I took his car to a parade and got tired JUST by having to turn the car around to leave the house! I love that Thing and enjoy a raw driving experience, but I couldn’t make it a daily drive. Maybe a bit more confort and amenities would be best.
Open Base Day happens in mid-summer, perfect conditions for taking some “year-round-garage” beauties for a ride. This might be the case for this stunning Citroen Dyane 6, which I rarely see and definitely deserves a presence at every classic car show. Despite having a color that easily fades away, it’s pristine inside and out, and then there were the seat patterns… Beautiful!
Parked right next to the Dyane was a W124 Mercedes 250D.
Yes, a Diesel.
For some, a Diesel-powered car should never be called a classic, and through history, only a handful of the devil’s fuelled vehicles have earned such a title.
I simply don’t care about that and I’m always happy to see a great example like this one, still running strong and ready for many more kilometers.
This particular 250D has a funny story about how we met.
I used to see this car when I still had regular access to the base, and from day one, it caught my eye. Something was odd, but I couldn’t understand what exactly because I only saw the car from a distance while passing by in the back seat of my parents’ car.
Later, when I got my driver’s licence, I tried to get a bit closer to investigate and found out it was the headlights, which I greatly disliked then because of the intense chrome look compared to the stock and more classic front end. However, I quite like them now.
Mind you, doing this detective work inside a military base was risky, and I could be writing this post from a maximum security prison. Everyone is there because of major felonies. Me? I just wanted to take a closer look at an old Mercedes.
Probably dead after telling this to a cartel member, because he’d think I was joking. On my tombstone: “César Melo, living on the edge since 1992.”
If there is a car that’s present at every classic car show around the world, it’s the Volkswagen Beetle, either transformed, tuned, or bone stock and they usually come by the dozen.
This one belongs to the category “Just Left the Dealership”, with its flawless bodywork and all the chrome trim shining.
I’m a big fan of the Beetle, maybe because I grew up with an old VW in the family and heard all kinds of stories about how simple yet beautiful these cars are. Speaking of looks, I think I’ve never seen two identical ones or, at least, side by side, but I also don’t recall seeing one and thinking, “What a terrible color choice!”
From basic white and beige to browns and any shade of grey, or even custom paint jobs, it amazes me how every color seems to suit the car very well. This one, with what appears to be OEM Sea Blue, is no exception.
After the Beetle, there was an Austin Healey Sprite, but sadly, I was in a hurry because we were already on our way out and my friends were long gone, mad and calling for me by the gate. Still, I got a quick glimpse of the interior and can only hope to check this car out better next time.
When I turned away from the Sprite, I faced the back of this tidy and lovely Renault 4 called “Vermelhinha”. I quickly ducked and got three more running shots. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to do my usual walkaround for these last two stunning cars, and there was also a Renault 12, which was already leaving. I promise I won’t miss any details when I come across them again.
Open Base Day 2024 is happening next month on August 4th, and I’m curious about which awesome vehicles would be in the area this year.
