British motor show
Discussion
Did anyone else go the British motor show and think it wasn’t as good as it has been in the past?
Went a couple of years ago and thought it was decent but had last year out and thought this year it would be even better. But was a little disappointed as there seemed to be less cars there, hardly any manufacturers and very few actual car accessory stalls. The outside area wasn’t as full as it had been either.
Don’t know wether it was because this time I went on the Friday instead of the usual Saturday but won’t be in a rush to go again.
Went a couple of years ago and thought it was decent but had last year out and thought this year it would be even better. But was a little disappointed as there seemed to be less cars there, hardly any manufacturers and very few actual car accessory stalls. The outside area wasn’t as full as it had been either.
Don’t know wether it was because this time I went on the Friday instead of the usual Saturday but won’t be in a rush to go again.
Sebring440 said:
Geffg said:
Did anyone else go the British motor show and think it wasn’t as good as it has been in the past?
Are you comparing the current "event" with the proper British International Motor Show that was held at the NEC?I went to the Farnborough one a few years ago but it left me underwhelmed.
Mr Tidy said:
IMHO the proper British Motor Show was held at Earls Court!
I went to the Farnborough one a few years ago but it left me underwhelmed.
Can't disagree with that. Earls Court was such a historic and atmospheric venue, but logistics, difficult parking, etc, made the NEC so much better.I went to the Farnborough one a few years ago but it left me underwhelmed.
1999, last one at Earls Court? Was there on the Jensen stand.
I cannot believe this Farnborough event can call itself "The British Motor Show"...
Sebring440 said:
Geffg said:
Did anyone else go the British motor show and think it wasn’t as good as it has been in the past?
Are you comparing the current "event" with the proper British International Motor Show that was held at the NEC?When the show was in Birmingham years ago it was good with all the manufacturers etc but now doesn’t seem like anyone wants to show off their cars. Not that there’s an amazing selection of decent ones anymore as I’m not into suv type but still like to see what’s on offer by various ones.
I used to enjoy wandering round the stalls looking at bits for cars but none of that about really.
Although if I wanted dog food, cat food, conservatory, donate to charity, beauty products, I’d of been ok.
AddyT. said:
Used to go to the show ar the NEC with my dad when I was a kid some 30 years ago. Loved going, was a great day out.
Went to the NEC show in 2001/02 and spent the whole day there and came back with a reel of photos. Went to the Farnborough show a couple of years back and after a few hours (and a handful of photos) were ready to leave (only staying for the Russ Swift display!). I hear from friends it has gone down hill since then!Chris
Edited by ScoobyChris on Thursday 21st August 11:41
Mr Tidy said:
CDP said:
Mr Tidy said:
IMHO the proper British Motor Show was held at Earls Court!
I went to the Farnborough one a few years ago but it left me underwhelmed.
Why did they pick somewhere so far from anywhere? I went to the Farnborough one a few years ago but it left me underwhelmed.
I went to every single NEC Motor Show, right from the first one in 1978. Started as a family outing, then a teenage day out with friends and on from there.
In 1978 all the cars were in Hall 5 and it became dangerously crowded, especially around the Porsche stand where the new 928 was being shown off.
I seem to recall that the main International Motor Show was held on alternate, even numbered years, with a smaller Motor Fair in London in the odd numbered years. I went to a few of those as well.
When I think of the cars that displayed at those earlier shows (proper Alfa Romeo, Lancia, air cooled Porsche, Jaguar XJS, Aston Martin V8, Lotus Esprit, etc, etc) the current crop of anodyne SUVs would make an extremely dull exhibition in comparison. I always go the NEC Classic Motor Show now and will likely have my Alvis on the Alvis Owner Club stand this year.
In 1978 all the cars were in Hall 5 and it became dangerously crowded, especially around the Porsche stand where the new 928 was being shown off.
I seem to recall that the main International Motor Show was held on alternate, even numbered years, with a smaller Motor Fair in London in the odd numbered years. I went to a few of those as well.
When I think of the cars that displayed at those earlier shows (proper Alfa Romeo, Lancia, air cooled Porsche, Jaguar XJS, Aston Martin V8, Lotus Esprit, etc, etc) the current crop of anodyne SUVs would make an extremely dull exhibition in comparison. I always go the NEC Classic Motor Show now and will likely have my Alvis on the Alvis Owner Club stand this year.
It was for many years at the NEC, then moved to the Excel Centre at the Royal Docks in London, for 2006 and the last one in 2008. The Focus RS was shown to the public at that show. Most manufacturers bar Rover and BMW were there if I recall.
It then stopped and I think a smaller show in London took up the mantle although was mainly supported by Dealers not the manufacturers (but I am prepared to be corrected on that one). I wonder whether this was a spin off/evolution of that event to the British Motorshow at Farnborough.
I would be surprised if it has any lineage back to the Excel/NEC/Earls Court days.
It then stopped and I think a smaller show in London took up the mantle although was mainly supported by Dealers not the manufacturers (but I am prepared to be corrected on that one). I wonder whether this was a spin off/evolution of that event to the British Motorshow at Farnborough.
I would be surprised if it has any lineage back to the Excel/NEC/Earls Court days.
It's simply not a motor show any more... A motor show should have multiple brands represented, even if it is by dealers rather than manufacturers. The early events at Farnborough had HR Owen there with JLR and Ferrari, McLaren Ascot had a stand, and there were plenty of others.
I went this year, only because I was given a ticket, and my office is 200 yards from the venue. If I'd paid to get in, I would have been quite disappointed with what you got. I spent the grand total of 1hr45mins in there, and I don't think I missed anything.
The main hall had a big Draper tools stand, a big Lego stand, some Chinese SUV EV's, a few BMW/MINI's, some trade stands and then the Cardusio wrapping lot down the end.
There used to be the Premier GT Supercar paddock at the end of the hall (I used to enter my McLaren into the outdoor display) and they had the trinity of the LaFerrari, 918 and P1 indoors roped off, but that's all gone. There were a few nice cars, a 12Cilindri, but to be honest you can see more special things walking round a high end showroom.
The car clubs outside you could see at any classic car show, and the modified Max Power stuff in the other hall had no interest for me whatsoever.
It also felt much smaller than previous years, much more 'empty' space outside.
I'll be surprised if it returns to be honest...
I went this year, only because I was given a ticket, and my office is 200 yards from the venue. If I'd paid to get in, I would have been quite disappointed with what you got. I spent the grand total of 1hr45mins in there, and I don't think I missed anything.
The main hall had a big Draper tools stand, a big Lego stand, some Chinese SUV EV's, a few BMW/MINI's, some trade stands and then the Cardusio wrapping lot down the end.
There used to be the Premier GT Supercar paddock at the end of the hall (I used to enter my McLaren into the outdoor display) and they had the trinity of the LaFerrari, 918 and P1 indoors roped off, but that's all gone. There were a few nice cars, a 12Cilindri, but to be honest you can see more special things walking round a high end showroom.
The car clubs outside you could see at any classic car show, and the modified Max Power stuff in the other hall had no interest for me whatsoever.
It also felt much smaller than previous years, much more 'empty' space outside.
I'll be surprised if it returns to be honest...
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