More than 75% of the registered cars are over 100 years old.
A 1899 Peugeot Type 19 and an 1898 Cudell De Dion 2-1/4 HP, both from Portugal, make their debut in the Rally as the oldest participants of this edition.
The 68th edition of the Barcelona–Sitges Vintage Car Rally held its opening day today with the traditional gathering of vehicles in front of the L’illa Diagonal shopping centre.
A 1899 Peugeot Type 19 is the oldest car in an entry list that includes 82 cars and 16 motorcycles competing officially (plus 2 cars and 3 motorcycles joining the parade outside the competition), thus surpassing one hundred participating vehicles in total.
In Group I (up to 1908), alongside the Peugeot Type 19, there are a 1901 Renault Type G, a 1907 Panhard Levassor Type X and a 1908 Wolseley Siddeley. This opening block confirms the Rally’s founding spirit, which continues to focus on vehicles manufactured before 1928.
A wide representation of pioneering brands
In the 1909–1914 period, several examples of the popular Ford T stand out, accompanied by genuine relics from brands such as Hupmobile, Le Zèbre and Unic. Also featured are a 1914 Peugeot Bébé and a 1914 Renault R11 HP, completing a highly diverse representation of the years leading up to the First World War.
Group III (1915–1920) includes vehicles such as the 1917 España, a testament to early Spanish production, as well as a 1917 Delahaye Coupe Chauffeur Landaulette, a 1919 Rochet Schneider 1500 and a 1920 Panhard Levassor X-31.
Prominent presence of Hispano-Suiza and Rolls-Royce
In the 1921–1924 period, the presence of Hispano-Suiza is particularly significant, with several examples including a 1923 H-16 and as many as four 1924 T-49 units, in addition to a T-48 and an HP16 T30. The concentration of models from the historic Barcelona-based manufacturer makes this edition one of the most notable in recent years in terms of representation of the marque.
Rolls-Royce also features prominently: two 1923 20 HP models, a 1923 20 HP Salamanca, a 1926 Phantom I, another 1927 Phantom I and a 1928 20/25. They are joined by other iconic brands such as Bentley (1924 3 Litre Speed), Bugatti (1923 Brescia), Packard, Lincoln, Cadillac and Buick, forming a line-up of outstanding technical and aesthetic value.
In quantitative terms, Ford once again is the most represented brand, with as many as 17 Model T and Model A units produced between 1911 and 1928, in addition to the 1928 Ford bus from the company Sagalés, which will be present at tomorrow’s start. Citroën, with several B2, B10 and B14 units, and Fiat, with the popular 501, complete a broad representation of European and American interwar automobiles.
Škoda returns, outside competition
In the non-competitive category, two spectacular Škoda vehicles are featured. Brought from the brand’s historic museum, a 1937 Popular Montecarlo and a 1939 Superb 3000 OHV expand the event’s historical scope beyond the regulatory 1928 limit.
Motorcycles dating back to 1898
The motorcycle entry adds another distinctive element to the 2026 edition. The oldest unit is an 1898 Cudell De Dion 2-1/4 HP, even older than the Peugeot Type 19, making this edition one of the oldest in absolute terms of participation.
It is joined by models such as a 1921 Royal Enfield V-Twin SS, a 1922 Matchless H, a 1927 Husqvarna Model 180 and several BMW, Harley-Davidson, Norton and Nimbus motorcycles from the 1930s. Outside competition, two BMW R75 models from 1940 and 1942 stand out, as well as a 1949 Norton 500T.
The Any Gaudí present at the Rally’s opening
L’illa Diagonal also hosted one of the official events of Gaudí Year 2026, highlighting the dialogue between architecture and the automobile that shaped the early 20th century and influenced works such as La Pedrera and Torre Bellesguard, both featured on this year’s Rally poster.
Route featuring two emblematic landmarks
Tomorrow, Sunday 1 March, the parade will depart from Plaça Sant Jaume at 10:30 am and will follow the route introduced in 2025, including the passage by the Columbus Monument, one of the most representative images of the urban section in Barcelona.
In the final stretch, the Rally regains its passage through the Port de Sitges-Aiguadolç, thus reinstating one of its traditional landmarks before the finish at La Fragata in Sitges, where participants are expected to arrive from approximately 2:00 pm onwards.
Today’s gathering at L’illa Diagonal offers the opportunity to closely admire an exceptional line-up which, with vehicles manufactured between 1898 and the late 1930s, confirms the 2026 edition as one of the most historic and comprehensive in recent years.
