Dodge Fargo Restoration Nears Completion in Andorra

The restoration of the Dodge Fargo, Andorra's pioneering passenger transport vehicle that likely carried the first waves of French tourists to the Principat in the mid-20th century amid the tourism boom, has reached its final stages.

Led by Claude Benet, former president of Velles Cases Andorranes, the project—which began years ago—has progressed from extracting the vehicle from storage in Sant Julià de Lòria to a suitable workshop. Initial efforts focused on bodywork repairs, but several months ago, restorers turned to the most challenging task: rebuilding the engine. Under the guidance of an experienced mechanic specialising in vintage vehicles, this "jeweller's work" is now well advanced, raising hopes of returning the Fargo—a compact minibus originally bodied by the Paris firm Currus—to full operation.

"No date has been set for completion," Benet noted, emphasising the precision required. The biggest remaining hurdle is securing the final funding. The initiative has benefited from private donations and formal agreements with bodies including the Government and the Escaldes-Engordany commune.

Benet highlighted the vehicle's historical significance on social media, pointing out that nearly 80 years will have passed from its construction to its potential revival—a span encapsulating key chapters of Andorra's modern history. While the goal is to get it running again without overusing it, restorers remain optimistic if timelines hold.