Blog: Moto Espana Show, Santa Cruz, California

Having left my bike in the big field for motorcycle parking at the Laguna Seca MotoGP, when I come back I find tucked into my seat a simple brochure promoting a Classic Spanish Motorcycle Show at the Santa Cruz fairgrounds. Spanish motorcycles? They are all classics; I remember half a dozen Spanish marques, but they were all gone 30 years ago.

But since Santa Cruz is a pleasant ride up from my house, I kept the event in mind. And on that Saturday I had nothing better to do. Off I went.

Best of Show was this bi-national creation, a Spanish engine in an English frame.
Best of Show was this bi-national creation, a Spanish engine in an English frame.

The setting was a grassy sward in front of a large stage, and by the time I arrived more than 30 Bultacos, Montessas and Ossas were lined up in the judging area. With another 50 or more other bikes just showing off, from an American-made, Ossa-powered Yankee to a delicious Rotax-engined street-tracker. Several dozen canopies shielded people with things for sale, mostly bits and pieces of Spanish origin. Off to one side a trailer was selling hot dogs and clam chowder. And four attractive young women in matching black dresses walked around adding a bit of glamor to the show.

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All this was the brain-child of one man, Robbie Cadwallader, who used to race Bultacos back in the sixties and has maintained his affection for these Iberian creations. As soon as he put the word out that he wanted to do this show, he had a lot of volunteers volunteering. And the whole thing went off quite well—though the judges did take a longish time adding up the points to determine the winners. Fourteen trophies were given out in seven different classes, from Road to Trials. A Montessa Impala 250 got the best in the Road category, followed up by a Bultaco Metralla. The Best of Show award went to a stunning scrambler, with a Bultaco 250 engine bolted into a Rickman Metisse chassis, done up in British Racing Green.

This first-time event was such a success that Cadwallader has already reserved a day for the second next August.

Need a Bultaco gas tank? Frame? Spare engine? All available here.
Need a Bultaco gas tank? Frame? Spare engine? All available here.
Blue ribbon winner in the Road class was this 1966 Montessa Impala 250.
Blue ribbon winner in the Road class was this 1966 Montessa Impala 250.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Dear Mr. Clemente, I just wanted to wish you a happy new year and a hearty thank you for all of your contribution to our wonderful sport of motorcycling. I was finally able to see your blog regarding Robbie’s Moto Espana. I really enjoyed!! My pleasure to meet you there and show you my street tracker. I hope all is well with you and yours’. Most sincerely and may God bless you. Ray Weber in Santa Cruz

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