PistonHeads Annual Service - Display car thread

[AB]

Amazing mix of cars and people you don't get at any other events.

Met some cool people, had some good conversations, ogled some amazing cars.

[blue al]

Entry more streamlined far less queuing

[fantheman80]

moneypits said:

Met some really good people and had lots of chats around the Skyline.

Was yours the top secret blue one?

[Spinakerr]

Top day, and agree with a lot of comments here on this being the best one!

The central hanger had a great arrangement to manage the traffic, and top adjustments from the team for managing incoming traffic.

Having been lucky to have displayed a car at every Annual service so far, this was by far the easiest - top job by the PH team, let's do it all again next year!

[fantheman80]

Glenn63 said:

and the Vectra ST200 has to be one of the rarest cars.

It looked really great didnt it!

[TheAngryDog]

I'm going to buck the trend, I was a bit underwhelmed. I was originally going to display but something came up last minute which meant I couldn't (I emailed Ben but not sure if he got it?). I arrived just before 10am and I left before midday.

I know I have fallen out of love with cars which doesn't help and I've not been feeling well recently, but a car show usually raises my spirits.

I realise that this is probably a me problem, though I did hear others making similar comments when I was walking around about it being better last year, and for me it was.

[zsdom]

I missed last years event but this year was cracking, such an incredible variety of cars, I went with a non car guy & he commented on how good a day it was

Only feedback comment from me was (imho of course) the owners groups were a bit unecessary, they didnt bring anything to the show

[blue al]

zsdom said:

I missed last years event but this year was cracking, such an incredible variety of cars, I went with a non car guy & he commented on how good a day it was

Only feedback comment from me was (imho of course) the owners groups were a bit unecessary, they didnt bring anything to the show

Apart from their cars....
I liked it as a good place to go window shopping, and meet owners who know the issues of their machines

[fantheman80]

blue al said:

zsdom said:

I missed last years event but this year was cracking, such an incredible variety of cars, I went with a non car guy & he commented on how good a day it was

Only feedback comment from me was (imho of course) the owners groups were a bit unecessary, they didnt bring anything to the show

Apart from their cars....
I liked it as a good place to go window shopping, and meet owners who know the issues of their machines

I enjoyed looking at the bmw owners club, alpine, NSX and s2000 but caterhams don’t do a lot for me (no offence owners!), but if you like the model or thinking of buying one what could be better! I don’t think they are attractions of the show as such, it’s just a cool place to meet for these clubs and there is the space so why not

[markiii]

I preferred when we had no clubs and the car park was totally random what you might find

[fantheman80]

markiii said:

I preferred when we had no clubs and the car park was totally random what you might find

But you still have that, it’s just behind the car clubs no? Not fun walking further in the heat granted but the car parks were still there

[Pizzaeatingking]

I enjoyed it, probably one of the best shows I've been to. Well organised, plenty of nice cars on display a good variety too. Everyone I spoke to were friendly, nice vibe to the even. I enjoyed the owners clubs, it was a show of three parts for me almost, the display cars, the owners clubs and the car park. Enjoyed every bit tbh, I'd see no advantage to removing the owners club stands.

[Volare]

Great show again this year, very easy to get in and out. Although I have to admit, 2025 was better for variety and truely special stuff. It would have been nice to have had some water stations dotted around too, was very hot and I begrudge spending £3 on bottles of water.

[The Rotrex Kid]

TheAngryDog said:

I'm going to buck the trend, I was a bit underwhelmed. I was originally going to display but something came up last minute which meant I couldn't (I emailed Ben but not sure if he got it?). I arrived just before 10am and I left before midday.

I know I have fallen out of love with cars which doesn't help and I've not been feeling well recently, but a car show usually raises my spirits.

I realise that this is probably a me problem, though I did hear others making similar comments when I was walking around about it being better last year, and for me it was.

Genuinely surprised. I bought 4 friends with me and a couple are not ‘car people’ but they had a great time, I don’t think there’s anywhere else that you would find such a variety of cars, literally something for everyone. We spent at least an hour wandering around the car park and I was pointing out the cars that were so incredibly rare and just say in a field (R5 GTT in black, Citroen BX GTI, many others!)

[The Rotrex Kid]

And I made a photo thread if anyone wants to stick anything on there

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[tallpaul26]

Great show. I mean, I d seen two absolute hero cars just walking from our parking spot before even entering the actual event (Tommi Makinen Evo and a fully liveried Celica GT4). Oh, and then I found the HF Integrale Evo lurking at the far side of the show.

I had to bail before the 25 anniversary MINI talk on the main stage. Is there a recording anywhere perchance?

Edited by tallpaul26 on Sunday 9th August 21:59

[markiii]

biggest annoyance, it states showcars must be there til 4pm, so many disappear well before then

[AB]

There was also too many cars driving too quickly along the main stretch between the supercar parking area and the general parking, well after opening.

[Samjeev]

AB said:

There was also too many cars driving too quickly along the main stretch between the supercar parking area and the general parking, well after opening.

I unfortunately see this at every car show at Bicester

[ziggy328]

markiii said:

biggest annoyance, it states showcars must be there til 4pm, so many disappear well before then

Yeah, We stayed right until the 4pm close as my car was blocked in by the PH Auction display. By the time we left is was nearly empty.