The London Classic Car Show 2015 at ExCeL Review
The London Classic Car Show
ExCeL, London
8-11 January 2015
www.thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk
Reviewed by Lee Johmston
The London Classic Car show is the place to be, if you are passionate about the history of what we today take for granted today, the motor car. On exhibition are the humble beginnings to what we now call classic cars, 1900’s to 1990’s.
The venue is the ExCel in London which has easy access via all modes of transport and close to City Airport too for those traveling from further afield! Staff were helpful guiding the public to the right desk for ticket collection. There were other shows at the same time at the ExCel.
On arrival to the hall, all I can say is ‘wow’. I have not been to a car show which has a Grand Avenue spanning the length and down the centre of the hall.
There was a fantastic feature of 40 cars parked along the Grand Avenue, and there was a chance to see the cars in action within two shows, one mid-morning and the other in the afternoon. The cars were driven up and down the Grand Avenue under commentary, including a formula one racing car – you can imagine the engine noise! The only downside was the ventilation was not great so the exhaust fumes could cause discomfort for some. Commentary of the history of the cars was great, together with music. All the cars driven along the Grand Avenue were also listed in the Official Handbook (at a cost of £5).
Around the Grand Avenue are many exhibitors from car / parts dealers, show cars, restoration specialists as well as come ancillary exhibitors selling their wares such as sculptures made from car parts. At the four corners of the hall were very informative exhibits from James May’s cars that changed the world , Adrian Newey’s biograph, ionic cars from Le Mans 24 Hour Race, together with James Martin providing an eatery at the Classic Cafe.
Premier ticket holders had access to a cordon off area with 2 red double decker London buses, one open top and the other converted to a bar. Seating area was provided with in the open top to enjoy a better vantage point of the Grand Avenue.
If you enjoy classic cars, then this is definitely something for you. For me, it was to find my childhood dream car, Aston Martin DB5 (Bond fanatic and to find more than 4 DB5s under one roof!) and to see the Ferrari 250GT California Spider once owed by James Coburn.
All in all, a great day out!
Rating: 5/5 
The London Classic Car show is back 18th-21st February 2016. For more information or to sign up for the newsletter to get the latest updates visit www.thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk.
