London Classic Car and Historic Motorsport Show ExCeL

It’s Friday morning (February 24th) and I’m strolling into the Classic Car & Historic Motorsport International Show at the ExCeL Centre in London’s Docklands…launched last year, this show returns classic cars to the capital and that is no bad thing especially with the added bonus of an additional historic racing show.

Held over 4 days, (23-26 February), the show has proved popular with a lot of people involved with the classic car world and many dealers I have spoken with managed to have a lot of success in 2016 so were keen to attend this year this time with larger stands and more more stock (always hard to find!). The event organisers lunched the Historic Motorsport International Show which tagged on to the main classic show, this was a bit of a big ask this weekend with many being up at Stoneleigh however this was still an enjoyable event and maybe a non ‘clash’ of dates next year this element will be even greater.

We had interviews from the great Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell, multiple Le Mans winners and team mates. I also spotted Steve Soper who obliged me with a photo but for one reason or another he did not look to impressed – must have had his race face on.

Exhibition stands from the Classic Sports Car Club, Masters Historic Racing and the Historic Sports Car Club helped fill the exhibition halls. Other trade stands included the ‘Scarf & Googles’ laid on by the organisers of the Silverstone Classic, the Silverstone Real Ale was flowing and managed to enjoy a couple of ‘tasters’ on occasions before returning once my work was done to secure an all important full glass purchase. Dangerous to enjoy to much fine ale before wondering off to the Coys Auction hand on wallet feeling bullish.

There was also stands from the various car clubs, the Ferrari Tribute, the Grand Avenue where owners of some fine automobiles would cruise the purpose made boulevard enjoying and showing their pride and joys on the move.

On my journey around the exhibition I came across a lady some of you may know, Jan Giles, wife of the late Freddie Giles, who together along with their Hillman Hunter entered the Around The World Rally in 2000 covering 22,500 miles in 80 days collecting only 52 minutes in penalty’s enabling them to win the rally overall. Jan has since written a book about the event entitled ‘Winning Ways, A Navigators Tale’ – an amazing lady. Go take a look, in all good book stores.

It was a great and thoroughly enjoyable day. When you are surrounded by E Types, Austin Healey’s, Aston Martins of all types and editions, the superb looking Marcos Mantis LM600 , a collection of Jackie Ickx race and rally cars, and a collection of Ferrari’s from the 250 California, F40 & F50 a very pretty 275 GTB and the 250 GTO, really what is there not to like.

37,000 visitors made it to this years show and a date has been set for next year, 15-18 Feb 2018 – see you there.