London Classic Car Show opens its doors in days- Hundreds of fabulous classics, many in action on The Grand Avenue
- Special displays, celebrities, innovative features
- Double the size of the 2015 Show
The countdown to the capital’s top classic car show has begun. In a matter of days, the doors will open for visitors to feast their eyes and ears on fabulous Ferraris, marvellous Maseratis, powerful Porsches and countless other classics as the London Classic Car Show revs up for another record breaker.
Although only in its second year, the Show has already become a firm fixture on the classic car calendar. Such was the critical acclaim given to the inaugural show that the second edition is twice as big and promises more than 600 rare and desirable classics, celebrities galore and innovative features. There’s nothing quite like the London Classic Car Show.
What?
The London Classic Car Show
Where?
ExCeL, Royal Victoria Dock, London
When?
Thursday 18 February to Sunday 21 February
What will I see?
Hundreds of rare and desirable classic cars of all shapes and sizes. Some will be on static display but, uniquely, many will be put through their paces on The Grand Avenue, a motorised catwalk that runs through the centre of the exhibition and allows visitors to see and hear their favourite cars in action.
What are the special highlights?
There are almost too many to mention, but try these for size…
Mighty McLaren
A special tribute to the McLaren F1 supercar and its creator, Gordon Murray, takes pride of pace at the show. No fewer than five F1s will be shown (together worth an estimated £50 million) plus many other items related to the birth of the last road car to win Le Mans.
The display has been curated by Murray himself who said: “I’m honoured and excited to be a part of the London Classic Car Show and looking forward to celebrating the car as a whole. People are aware of the headlines but the car is much deeper than that and this exhibit will offer people the opportunity to get a unique insight into the car, what it stands for and the story behind how it was created.”
The Classic Six Nations Cup
Take ten iconic road and competition cars from each of the six leading car producing countries and pitch them head on to find out which nation comes out on top. Will it be France, Italy, Germany, Japan, the USA or the UK? Among the Six Nations cars to take to The Grand Avenue will be an ear-splitting V12 Matra F1 racer from France while among the cars being put up by Italy is The Italian Job Lamborghini Miura.
Celebrities
Some of motoring’s biggest names will drop into the show at various points of the weekend. Heading Thursday’s Premium Preview Evening will be McLaren F1 star Jenson Button and host Suzi Perry. Rally legend Ari Vatanen opens the show on Friday, while Sir Stirling Moss will be talking about his new biography on Saturday. TV petrol heads Jodie Kidd and Bruno Senna, meanwhile, will be part of The Great Debate on Thursday evening, which will try to determine which country should win the Classic Six Nations Cup.
Group B Rallying
They were the fastest cars ever to take to the rally stage, but their reign was short and bittersweet. The London Classic Car Show has gathered together some of the top Group B cars of the era, including the Peugeot 205 T16, Audi quattro, Ford RS200 and Lancia Delta S4.
History of the supercar
We’re talking real supercars here, machines designed to make the jaw drop – think Ferrari F40, Jaguar XJ220, Porsche 918 Spyder. The evolution of the supercar will be here for every schoolboy to drool over… no matter how old they are.
Car Club Square
One entire hall has been given over to leading classic cars clubs who will be putting on inspirational displays around their favoured classics. Among those marques represented are Aston Martin, Jensen, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Bristol, Gordon-Keeble, Audi, BMW and Chevrolet. All will have eye-catching collections on show. The Aston Martin Owners’ Club display, for example, includes one of two original Mark II 4-seaters from 1935 plus the 1970 DBS as used by Roger Moore and Tony Curtis in the TV series The Persuaders. There’ll also be the chance for visitors to buy affordable classics from dealers and private sellers in Memory Lane.
Exhibitors
Leading classic car dealers will be offering a host of rare and highly desirable classics for sale – including a one-off Ferrari 330GT estate – while order books will be open for specialist recreations of rare concept cars such as the Jaguar XJ13 and Jaguar XK180. Among the manufacturers highlighting their heritage will be Peugeot, Abarth, Aston Martin and Noble. Other unusual cars for sale include a Daimler once owned by Sir Winston Churchill and a Jensen Interceptor owned by Eric Morecombe.
Speakers’ Corner
A vital part of London Life, Speakers Corner at the London Classic Car Show will be given over to experts offering advice about all aspects of the classic car movement including a special interview with one of Britain’s greatest ever racing drivers, Sir Stirling Moss.
How much?
Bought in advance tickets prices start at £23, including a booking fee, for single adult entry on Friday, Saturday or Sunday and rise to £65 for Thursday’s Premium Preview evening. Single entry price on the door is £25, with special late entry tickets available on Saturday and Sunday for £18 on the door. Premium tickets are available for all four days and include fast track entry, the best views of The Grand Avenue at the Turning Circle Viewing Platform, access to the exclusive Premium Lounge, a Show Handbook and even a glass of Joseph Perrier Champagne.
Full details can be found via the show’s official website – www.thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk
The London Classic Car Show is organised and operated by Brand Events. Since its formation in 1999, Brand Events has launched some of the UK’s most popular consumer events including Top Gear Live and CarFest festivals for BBC Children in Need and broadcaster Chris Evans.
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