You're going to be amazed! These are some of the best cars ever built in Spain

This article may spark some debate, but we’re going to talk about some of the best cars ever built in Spain, regardless of whether they come from foreign brands. Not only are the ones we’re going to name out there; some others also reached the market, such as the Tramontana, the Seat 131 or the GTA Spano. Shall we look back and discover some of the best cars built in Spain?

Hispano Suiza T45

The Hispano Suiza T45 is considered the world’s first sports car. Its creation was due to Alfonso XIII’s passion for automobiles, and because the brand greatly benefited from having a King as its ambassador. In conversations with one of the founders, Alfonso XIII stated that he wanted to enjoy a high-performance car, like those used in competition, but one that also featured all the luxuries and details of the brand. This impressive vehicle was equipped with a four-cylinder engine, 3.5 litres and 40 CV of power. Its top speed reached 120 km/h, and it had a price of around 11,500 pesetas in 1920.

Pegaso Z102

The Pegaso Z102 is one of those vehicles that stays etched in your memory and is, possibly, the best car ever built in our country. Wilfredo Ricart returned to Spain and created this spectacular gem that forms part of the history of the automobile in Spain. To manufacture it, Enasa had to be founded on the remains of Hispano Suiza. The Pegaso Z102 was built between 1951 and 1958 in Madrid and Barcelona. During these years, three different engines were produced: 2.5, 2.8 and 3.2 litres. The initial bodywork was designed in Biolino steel, although some of the finest coachbuilders of the era, Touring, Serra, Superleggera or Saotchik, signed some of the parts.

A total of 83 units were built, and at least 41 are still preserved. Its price at the time was about 3,000 euros, which today would be around 130,000 euros.

Seat 600

The Seat 600 is the car that motorised the country; it became the symbol of economic recovery and the object of desire of every driver of the time. It cost around 70,000 pesetas, derived from the Fiat 600, and was built between 1957 and 1973. Drivers of the era could choose between four variants: Normal, D, E and L. The first version had 21.5 CV and reached 95 km/h. The D version featured suicide doors, which is why it soon earned the nickname “mirabragas”.

Alpine A-11o

What we today know as Renault began its journey as FASA. This made it possible for us to know the Spanish version of the Alpine, which had drum brakes on the rear axle. The first Alpine rolled off the production line in Valladolid in 1967 and could be purchased until 1978. Three different engines were used:

• 1,108 cc with 53 CV.
• 1,289 cc with 66 CV.
• 1,397 cc with 85 CV.

Citroën CX

Many consider the Citroën CX to be one of the best Citroëns in automotive history. It was designed by Robert Opron and built between 1974 and 1991. Some 17,199 units were produced at the Vigo plant. It offered a drag coefficient of 0.35 and a revolutionary suspension. Initially it reached the market with 2.0-litre carburettor engines, a 2.4-litre block, and later a GTI version arrived offering 125 CV.

Peugeot 205

Of course, this selection could not leave out the Peugeot 205. It was designed by Gerard Walter and became a much-admired model. Its advertising was very catchy, and some units even had a sticker on the rear reading “Contigo, al fin del mundo”. It hit the market in 1983 and could be bought until 1998. It was built at the PSA plant in Villaverde, Madrid. The first engines came from Talbot-Simca, since PSA acquired the plant from Chrysler after the bankruptcy of Barreiros. Spanish Peugeot 205s had a more pronounced bonnet specifically designed to house the 1,124 cc and 1,592 cc engines.