The author recounts his long-held desire to participate in Autoclásica, an event held in San Isidro, Argentina, a wish he had been postponing for at least four years due to organizational difficulties and personal financial planning issues.
In addition to Autoclásica, there was another desired destination: the Fangio Museum, located in Balcarce. Both locations are considered must-see spots for automotive enthusiasts in Argentina, although they are not adjacent, requiring careful logistical planning.
In 2025, MAO managed to make the trip to Autoclásica. That year, Pedro from ACE organized an expedition sponsored by Ford, which transported five Brazilian Ford Model A cars to the Argentine exhibition, supported by a Bronco and an F-150.
This expedition led to something even more complex. In the same year, another Pedro, known as Mazza, undertook a motoring journey across Argentina, visiting workshops and racetracks. During a stop in Balcarce, at the headquarters of Crespi Competición, founded by Tulio Crespi in the 1960s, Mazza discovered the opportunity to drive some of the company's cars on the local racetrack.
Balcarce also offered the chance to visit the Juan Manuel Fangio Museum, administered by his foundation. The proposal went beyond just a visit, including the opportunity to drive historic cars maintained by the Foundation.
Organizing such an experience demanded more than just attending; it required building contacts, structuring logistics, and ensuring access. Thus, the two Pedros joined forces to put together the 2026 expedition, integrating ACE and Driven by Mazza. The package included the international travel, participation in Autoclásica, and exclusive experiences in Balcarce, with accommodation at the Casco de Fangio, a hotel belonging to the Fangio foundation.
FlatOut acted as a media partner, and the trip would serve as an opportunity for the format to be evaluated for members of the FlatOut Clubsport.
For the author, the main motivation was to realize the visit to Autoclásica and the Fangio Museum on the same trip, with the possibility of driving race cars in Balcarce being an unexpected bonus.
The expedition departed from São Paulo on October 3rd, traversing Southern Brazil, crossing Uruguay to Colonia del Sacramento, and subsequently crossing the Río de la Plata to Buenos Aires. From there, they headed to Balcarce, where Crespi, the racetrack, and the Fangio Foundation awaited them, before returning to the Argentine capital for the four days of Autoclásica.
The participants would use three different vehicles: a 1982 Chevrolet Chevette, a 1992 Volkswagen Gol CL with a 1.8 engine and GL characteristics, and a 1972 Triumph GT6. A Volkswagen Golf Variant would serve as support vehicle.
These cars belonged to the participants themselves, clients of the expedition, and FlatOut subscribers. Kiko, Fernando, and Marco decided to take the route by car. Fernando and Leonardo opted to fly to Buenos Aires, joining the group only for the activities in Balcarce.
Additionally, the organizers had the task of transporting two Brazilian sports cars from the Dream Car Museum collection in São Roque—a 1979 Concorde and an automatic Hofstetter Turbo—to Autoclásica, using their own platforms and logistics to cross borders.
The initial plan involved a second support vehicle, but the lack of sponsorship prevented this option, forcing the author to travel as a passenger. He also planned to extend his stay in Buenos Aires to meet his wife, returning later by car for a quieter trip, ideal for taking notes for a possible travel book.
The group met on Saturday evening in São José/SC, after the first phase started in São Paulo. On Sunday, they proceeded to Pelotas/RS, staying overnight before crossing the border into Uruguay on Monday.
A Long Sunday
On Sunday morning, while starting the trip from São José to Pelotas, the Triumph experienced ignition failures, a common electrical issue in old English cars. Although Marco, the owner, knew that exciting the alternator would be necessary, the procedure did not solve the problem that day. Suspicion fell on the battery, but since they were near Florianópolis, no one worried excessively.
After resolving the starting issue, the group continued, monitoring the battery charge. The pace was set by the slowest, especially the Chevette, maintaining an average speed between 80 and 100 km/h. During a stop between Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, it was noted that the battery was not charging, but the alternator prevented a drastic loss of charge. The cause of the Triumph's electrical problem was identified as a loose terminal on the alternator.
As they approached the Porto Alegre region, near Gravataí, Marco and his father noticed a noise coming from the rear axle. The suspicion was a wheel bearing defect, which required immediate attention. Finding a mechanic available in Porto Alegre on a Sunday afternoon was a challenge overcome thanks to the FlatOut network. Marcos de Sá indicated Jonatas, a mechanic who agreed to receive them at his residence.
While heading to the location, the Gol had another unforeseen event: its mechanical fuel pump failed, requiring towing to Jonatas's house. The expedition, which began with four vehicles, began facing problems with the Triumph (suspicion of bearings), the Gol (need for a tow truck), and the Chevette (unstable carburetor), all in the middle of the second day.
Despite the setbacks, the atmosphere remained friendly among the enthusiasts. After dismantling the Triumph's wheel hub assembly, it became clear that the bearing was damaged, possibly due to improper previous installation, where excessive tightening of the bolt damaged the component instead of just eliminating the play.
Without new bearings, continuing the trip would be risky. Marco chose to stay in Porto Alegre with his father, planning to source the bearings and finalize the repair to reach the group in Argentina on Monday. The rest of the group continued traveling that night, arriving late in Pelotas, thus ensuring compliance with the schedule to receive the platforms with the cars the next day.