The classic cars of 7 de Agosto – Bogotá
By The Colombian Way
Take a nostalgic walk through a neighbourhood that brims with perfectly maintained classic cars.
About Bogotá’s 7 de Agosto district
The 7 Agosto district was named as such because it was founded on the centenary of the Battle of Boyacá on that took place on 7 August, 1819. Nowadays the district has vibrant fruit and vegetable markets and traders that you would find in any neighbourhood, but it’s really all about the cars.
If you search Google Maps for 7 de Agosto you will see an abundance of spare parts suppliers and manufacturers, specialists in vehicle upholstery, panel beaters and vehicle spraying workshops, and general repair workshops. It is one of the largest areas of its kind in Bogotá with over 1500 parts stores and workshops.
The classic cars
The area is notable over and above other districts in Bogotá that sell automotive parts thanks to the workshops in the area that specialise in classic car restoration. These workshops have become a centre for skills and are supported by the companies fabricating pattern body panels, new flooring, seat coverings and roof linings, hoses, radiators, body glass suppliers, the stores that import OEM parts from all over the world, and the specialists that recondition old parts for use in restorations.
Colombians have a preference for originality where possible so expect to see vehicles that appear to have just been manufactured rather than resto-mods. So what can you find in 7 de Agosto?
Toyota Land Cruisers
7 de Agosto truly is the district where brand new 40 year old Land Cruisers are born. The area has numerous workshops specialising in all Land Cruisers and the entire family is one of the easiest models to find parts for.
Expect to see plenty of FJ40 series models, less frequently the FJ55 Iron Pig, FJ60s that look like they just drove off the production line, and increasingly, 70 Series Land Cruisers that are being lovingly rebuilt from the ground up.
Many Land Cruisers are restored for shipping to the USA, in fact it is common for the owners to either be American or Colombian with family connections in the USA.
Other Japanese models
The Toyota FJ40 is an iconic vehicle, but what of other Japanese models? Expect to see plenty of vintage Nissan Patrols, maybe an immaculate Nissan z280, or increasingly, the vehicle that is getting the restoration treatment is the wonderful Daihatsu F20, sold as the Toyota Taft in the USA and the Daihatsu Taft in other markets.
Mercedes-Benz
Not all German cars, specifically Mercedes-Benz, one particular workshop dedicates itself to keeping old Pontons in showroom condition along with 1980s coupés and saloons.
American cars
After El Bogotazo in 1948, the city aligned itself more closely with US urban planning policies, the car was king and US car exports to Colombia were strong. Expect to see many US cars dating back to the 1950s when walking around 7 de Agosto, some workshops such as that of Enrique Leyton specialise in American cars from the 1950s as well as American muscle cars from the 60s and 70s.
Classic Ford, Buick and Chevrolet models are a highlight of the district.
American trucks too
Whilst most of the cars on this page, and indeed in 7 de Agosto, are original. The same cannot be said for classic trucks. The same rules do not apply to trucks for some reason, you cannot resto-mod a car but you can a truck.
British cars
The UK has a history of sending some of its coolest cars to Colombia, including the sports cars for which it was famous in the 1960s. If you are in luck you might spot an Austin-Healy or Triumph. The Morris Minor van in the image gallery below is actually owned by a company that rents it out to TV and movie production companies.
Finding your own restoration project
Be very careful if heading down to the 7 de Agosto district. It is not dangerous but cars ripe for restoration are available for purchase on the side of the road. You may well go home with a very expensive new hobby.
Visiting Bogotá’s 7 de Agosto district
To reach 7 de Agosto the closest Transmilenio station is Flores. Head west on Calle 69. There are many workshops between Calle 69 and Calle 71. For a more intense 7 de Agosto experience, head south along Carrera 24 and then west again along Calle 63F.
