London Classic Car Show - Anyone been yet?

[smiffy220]

I went along on Saturday with a mate, to be fair he has a flat nearby so it was a no brainer. He bought a ticket early, so I got mine free. We both usually attend the NEC show every year for the weekend, but both enjoyed this show so much, we're not going to the NEC anymore. Was easy to get in and out of, not as busy, the lighting was better and we loved the Grand Avenue.

We made a whole day of it, was there from 10.30am til it shut at 6pm. Talked to lots of people, saw everything, and I nearly got a ride down the Grand Avenue in the Vauxhall Heritage centre droop snoot Firenza! The Adrian Newey exhibit was excellent.

There was a slight corporate feel about some of it, I can see that, but it was the first time and the organiser had stumped up the cash himself to book everything, so you can see why he wanted help covering some of the cost.

Next year apparently will be 50% bigger and more club stands. I intend to go again, but doubt will make the trek to the NEC this year for the first time in 6 years, as I much preferred this show as an overall days experience.

Think I'm in a minority!

[NomduJour]

[quote=smiffy220]the organiser /quote]

Brand Events - also do Top Gear Live and CarFest.

[GWER]

NomduJour]miffy220]the organiser /quote said:

Brand Events - also do Top Gear Live and CarFest.

correct

[fatboy18]

I went with my 18 yr old son, Bought 2 tickets on line the night before and found via Google a discount code so saved a fiver on each ticket. With 2 of us traveling up from Epsom area it was cheaper to take the car than pay rail fares.
Now for Excel.. Parking, 15.00 Total rip off, stupid speed ramps everywhere, Just as well we did not go in the Viper or I would never have been able to get into the car park.
We had not eaten so was hoping to find a Mcdonalds type place inside the Exhibition centre, sadly nothing of the sort exists in the place so ended up eating an overcooked sausage roll
We then entered the exhibition itself, no queueing as we had printed our tickets off.

Sadly others here have pretty well summed the show up Just lots of Car dealers trying to get Rich Bankers to depart with their monies, Not much for the Hobbyist or enthusiast.

I liked the Le mans car section, I also liked the original VW Peoples car in the James May exhibition, did anyone notice the German Eagle Swastika on the front and rear number plates?

Seemed to me Joe Macari must have paid Excel a hell of a lot to display at the show because the place was full of his cars.

I was hoping for more stands selling stainless fasteners and products for keeping your classics on the road, tools etc, but this Show was not the place for any of that so after a couple of hours came away with money still in my pocket. My son hated the show and was really board. We never knew the Boat show was on until we got to Excel!

Don't think I will bother going again.

The prices these Exhibition centers charge are simply a massive rip off (That includes the NEC too)

Edited by fatboy18 on Sunday 18th January 22:02

[iva cosworth]

I spotted a free layby not far away from the Excel.

Will try and use that if there's a next time.

[fatboy18]

Received an email from Excel this morning raving on what a success the show had been, bigger and better next year and all that! 18th -21st February 2016

[Bo_apex]

fatboy18 said:

My son hated the show and was really board.

That's a shame. Our boys enjoyed looking at all the rare cars, and hearing some proper noisy F1 engines. They even showed their appreciation on Monday by volunteering to wash two of my cars

Think we'll take them to Goodwood this year

[fatboy18]

Bo_apex said:

fatboy18 said:

My son hated the show and was really board.

That's a shame. Our boys enjoyed looking at all the rare cars, and hearing some proper noisy F1 engines. They even showed their appreciation on Monday by volunteering to wash two of my cars

Think we'll take them to Goodwood this year

With many young drivers now owning a Korean or Japanese box as a first car, they look more towards a Max power type show, bit like the scene portrayed in the Fast and Furious films. He did like the Audi Bentley in the lemans car section but that was about it
Goodwood Festival of Speed is a completely different class of event to this, My Son Loves that one.

[MrHorsepower]

fatboy18 said:

ith many young drivers now owning a Korean or Japanese box as a first car, they look more towards a Max power type show, bit like the scene portrayed in the Fast and Furious films. He did like the Audi Bentley in the lemans car section but that was about it

If that's what your son's into, surely he'll be bored at most static classic car shows?

[fatboy18]

MrHorsepower said:

fatboy18 said:

ith many young drivers now owning a Korean or Japanese box as a first car, they look more towards a Max power type show, bit like the scene portrayed in the Fast and Furious films. He did like the Audi Bentley in the lemans car section but that was about it

If that's what your son's into, surely he'll be bored at most static classic car shows?

He's at that difficult age, he used to like older cars but now he's driving he moved off in a slightly different direction. Kids!
Thing was he had no choice, I'm off work with a broken arm and cant drive so I needed a Taxi