The 67th edition of the Barcelona - Sitges International Vintage Car Rally is about to kick off this Saturday and Sunday (5 and 6 April). The main event is the traditional cavalcade this Sunday. This year, the route through Barcelona has changed a bit because of the renovation of La Rambla: for the first time, the participating vehicles will drive by the Columbus statue. A total of 76 cars and 11 motorcycles have signed up for the rally. On Saturday, all the participants will go through the checks prior to the rally.

And before that, on Saturday morning, the participating cars will assemble in front of L’Illa Diagonal shopping centre, where they will be on display until around 5 pm. On Sunday 6 April, the traditional cavalcade of historical vehicles will make its way from Barcelona to Sitges, with drivers and passengers dressed in period clothing. The vehicles taking part will set off from Barcelona’s Plaça Sant Jaume at 10:30 am and make their way through different towns and the legendary coastal road along Garraf heading towards Sitges. After parading through several streets in the town, the vehicles are expected to reach La Fragata at around 12:30 pm. Afterwards, they will be displayed at La Fragata until around 6 pm.

The Rally is organised by Foment de Sitges with the support of the Tourism Council of Sitges City Council and Barcelona City Council.

Detailed route of the rally

Pl. Sant Jaume – Jaume I – Pl. de l’Àngel – Via Laietana – Pl. Correus – Passeig de Colom – Pl. Portal de la Pau – Passeig Josep Carner – Pl. de les Drassanes – Av. Paral·lel (side nearest the Besòs) – Pl. Espanya (side nearest the mountain) – Gran Via CC (central section, mountain) – Gran Via CC (past Mossèn Amadeu Oller, side lane exit) – Pl. Ildefons Cerdà – Rambla Badal – Constitució (L’Hospitalet de Llobregat), Santa Eulàlia, Enric Prat de la Riba, Barcelona, Carretera de L’Hospitalet, Av. de la Fama, Tirso de Molina, Av. Barcelona (Cornellà de Llobregat), link to the C-245, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Viladecans, Gavà, Castelldefels and Castelldefels Platja, then via the C-246 and Costes del Garraf.

Entering Sitges from the C-31 via Ctra. de Barcelona a Calafell, turning right towards Emerencià Roig i Raventós, Pl. del Doctor Robert, Av. Balmins, C/ Port de n’Alegre, C/ Rafel Llopart, C/ Sant Damià, Santiago Rusiñol, C/ Jesús, Cap de la Vila, C/ de les Parellades, C/ Marquès de Montroig, C/ Primer de Maig, Passeig de la Ribera in the direction of Terramar, by Av. Sofia, climbing to Passeig de Terra as far as La Fragata.

Yet another year, the inner courtyard of L’Illa Diagonal is hosting an exhibition of vehicles, two of which, a 1919 Essex Phaeton and a 1917 Delahaye Coupé Choufeur Landaulette (Labourdette) are set to participate in the rally on Sunday. These two vintage vehicles, which are participating in this year's edition of the Rally, are part of the exhibition along with two other cars with extraordinary heritage value lent by the collector Alexis Llaveria.

Car exhibition at L’Illa Diagonal

Yet another year, the inner courtyard of L’Illa Diagonal is hosting an exhibition of vehicles, two of which, a 1919 Essex Phaeton and a 1917 Delahaye Coupé Choufeur Landaulette (Labourdette) are set to participate in the rally on Sunday.

This show is open to the public until Saturday 5 April, when all the Rally participants will arrive at L’Illa (Av. Diagonal façade) to go through the checks prior to the rally. Until then, the exhibition is a unique chance to catch a close-up view of veritable museum pieces that are perfectly conserved and still working.

Other places where you can enjoy the Rally

In Sitges, the Rally is revving its engines at the Ave Maria Foundation and the Hotel Sabàtic, where visitors can see a painting exhibition and a show of vintage motorcycles and clothing, respectively.

• Two Norton motorcycles at the Hotel Sabàtic

Until 7 April, the lobby of the Hotel Sabàtic will be hosting an exhibition of two vintage Norton motorcycles owned by David Gómez and Joan Merlos. The motorcycles are accompanied by mannequins dressed in period clothing in a set carefully designed in conjunction with Menkes.

• Vintage-inspired paintings at the Ave Maria Foundation

Until 13 April, the Ave Maria Foundation is presenting the exhibition Vintage Cars: A Look into the Past by the artist Cristòfol Almirall from Sant Pere de Ribes. Installed in the Capella de les Arts (Av. Artur Carbonell 11), the show features a selection of works that celebrate the beauty and history of classic vehicles. The show is free of charge and can be visited Monday to Friday from 11 am to 1 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 to 7 pm.