Cars made in Mallorca: the story of the CBA Condesa and Duquesa
No, although it may seem so, today we won’t be talking about noble titles or members of the Mallorcan aristocracy. Instead, we’ll be discussing a fascinating business venture which, unfortunately, didn’t last very long.
Car enthusiasts, and classic car fans in particular, will no doubt already be familiar with the story of these cars: the CBA Condesa and Duquesa, built in Mallorca.
The entrepreneur
Being born in Argentina is surely the ideal place to nurture imagination and the drive to succeed. And if, on top of that, you can add Swedish parents who bring a certain dose of efficiency and seriousness to the mix, then perhaps you have the perfect combination to become a successful entrepreneur. And those were the personal ingredients of Thomas Wadström, the founder of CBA.
The company, CBA
CBA stood for “Compañía Balear de Automóviles S.A.” and was founded in July 1982. Its headquarters and the site where the cars were built was an industrial unit at 37 Calle Gremio de Tintoreros, in the La Victoria Industrial Estate (now the Son Castelló Industrial Estate) in Palma de Mallorca.
The concept behind the CBA Condesa and Duquesa cars
The idea was to create a car with the aesthetic of the very first automobiles, something similar to what the famous French brand De Dion Bouton had produced between 1900 and 1910.
But on the other hand, it was also very important to have a modern, simple, reliable and economical mechanical base. And in those respects the Citroën 2CV was perfect, as it had a chassis separate from the bodywork, as well as a 602 cc engine, with just two opposed cylinders (Boxer), air-cooled and producing 29 horsepower.
The Citroën 2CV had a sheet-metal body, which was easy to remove; once taken off, the bare chassis remained, with the mechanical components and wheels. A full fibreglass body in vintage style would then be mounted onto this frame, and the whole would be finished off with various high-quality varnished wooden parts, period seats, a soft top with an oval rear window and classic headlights, all in the purest ‘Belle Epoque’ style.
The result
A charming and unique car, reliable and easy to maintain, and ideal for enjoying spring and summer. That was Thomas Wadström’s vision, and he believed it would be a huge success as a hire car for tourists in Mallorca.
What these classic cars were like: models and versions
The Condesa was the basic version and featured a large, flat windscreen, four seats in eye-catching upholstery finished with buttons, a partially canvas soft top, large mudguards and side running boards for easy access. With its simple mechanics, producing just 29 horsepower and featuring a 4-speed gearbox, its top speed was around 105 km/h, although as it had no doors, a suitable cruising speed would be around 70 km/h.
The Duquesa was essentially the same car, but more luxurious. It featured details such as higher-quality upholstery, brass fittings (headlights and horn), wooden side storage boxes and a larger rear one made of wicker. The paintwork had a better finish, with gold-coloured trim, and the body colours were darker than on the Condesa, all to give it a more elegant look.
The pick-up was a two-seater version but with a smart and practical wooden rear platform that could carry up to 350 kilos.
Prices in 1984 ranged from 609,000 pesetas (3,675 euros) for a Condesa to 706,000 pesetas (4,253 euros) for a Duquesa. The pick-up was 12,000 pesetas more expensive than the Condesa.
A car factory in Mallorca
Operations began in Mallorca, but it soon became clear that production costs were very high. The idea was then put forward to build another assembly plant in Sagunto (Valencia) and develop two new models: a van and a sports car.
In the end, the move went ahead, but to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where the company ‘Clásicos canarios de automóviles S.A.’ was established.
The end of a unique venture
However, shortly afterwards the company suffered a major setback when the founder and driving force behind the project, Thomas Wadström, passed away suddenly.
It appears that the rights to exploit the brand then passed to a company based in Madrid, which managed operations and handled sales on a commission basis until around 1987.
The final stage of this business venture would take it even further afield, to Belgium, where Alveras, a specialist in converting Citroën 2CVs, would assemble a few more units.
It is estimated that around 200 units were assembled in Mallorca, between 40 and 60 more in the Canary Islands, and the remainder – perhaps up to a total of 300 – were built in Belgium.
The Condesa and Duquesa today
Given that so few were ever made, one might logically assume that they have now completely disappeared. However, this is not the case, as many of their owners have looked after these cars with great care; they are no longer regarded merely as a charming summer car, but as a genuine collector’s item. With a little searching, it is still possible to find a few examples for sale in good condition. Prices are no longer what they used to be; to get your hands on one today (February 2022), you’ll easily have to fork out between €12,000 and €20,000.
Mallorca stands out not only for its beautiful landscapes and history, but also for business ventures as intriguing as these Condesa and Duquesa cars.
If you like cars, you will surely be interested to know that cars were manufactured in Mallorca in the 1920s, specifically between 1920 and 1929. Read the post about the Loryc brand of motorcycles: Loryc, a car made in Mallorca
That same unique character lives on today in its artisan and gastronomic products, each with its own distinct identity. Discover a selection of authentic Mallorcan products here: Discover the best gourmet foods in Mallorca
