Wheels of History: Madeira Classic Car Revival 2025
MADEIRA CLASSIC CAR REVIVAL 2025: A CELEBRATION OF AUTOMOTIVE EXCELLENCE
Last weekend – May 23, 24, and 25 – Funchal hosted the 12th edition of the Madeira Classic Car Revival (MCCR), an iconic event held as part of the 2025 Flower Festival. Organized by the Madeira Classic Car Club (CACM), this much-anticipated gathering brought together classic car enthusiasts, families, and curious visitors for a nostalgic journey through automotive history.
According to the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Environment, and Culture, the 2025 edition featured 567 registered vehicles, including cars, motorbikes, bicycles, off-roaders, and official vehicles – a number that increased since the event’s public presentation. Fiat was the most represented brand, with 50 vehicles.
Featured Guest Vehicles
Three special guest vehicles were on display during the event:
- Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio Gangloff (1936) – from the Caramulo Museum.
- Benz Dreirad (1886) – a replica of the world’s first car, also from the Caramulo Museum.
- Olda 1954 – a rare Portuguese-built car owned by collector Pedro Filipe.
Benz Dreirad (1886) – This iconic three-wheeled vehicle is a replica of the world’s first automobile, originally invented by Karl Benz in 1886. Powered by a single-cylinder four-stroke engine, the Benz Dreirad marked the beginning of the modern automotive era. The version displayed at the MCCR was kindly provided by the Caramulo Museum, allowing visitors to admire this historic milestone up close.
What Was New in 2025
This year’s edition introduced several exciting updates:
- The south lane of Avenida do Mar (between Praça da Autonomia and the Sá Carneiro Roundabout) was closed to traffic so classic cars could circulate.
- A new main stage for contestswas set up in front of the Regional Legislative Assembly.
- The entire city pierwas transformed into an exhibition area, which also featured 14 supercars.
- Pedal-powered kartcross trackswere available for children at Cais 8.
- Classic car rideswere offered to 60 lucky participants, with free vouchers distributed at the CACM stand
The event also included a vintage market, period-costumed actors, and the ever-popular “Dress in Period Style” Contest.
A unique opportunity was given to 60 visitors to enjoy a classic car ride as passengers, often referred to as a “baptism of classics.” Free vouchers for this experience were made available at the CACM stand located at the exhibition site.
The event also once again featured a vintage automobilia market, costumed performers who added to the ambiance, and the popular “Dress in Period Style” Contest. To participate, guests were invited to dress in vintage-style clothing or wear an accessory that evoked a different era. Registrations were carried out on-site, adding a fun and nostalgic element to the overall experience.
The Madeira Classic Car Revival was a wonderful event, organized by the Clube de Automóveis Clássicos da Madeira. It reflected the extraordinary work behind some of the best classic car collections in Portugal.
