Excel Classic Car Show

[richard btype]

I wonder whether any were able to attend the Classic Car show this weekend at the Excel Centre in London and what they thought of it?

I was there helping out my friends on the BMW Car Club stand in full view of Eagle E types display. Whether one supports the idea of 'recreations' is perhaps another subject (bentley continental type R, MG b, Eagle, Alfa all evident) but without seeing in the flesh the level of engineering would not have appreciated just how good they are? In particular the Linder/Nocker example recently released and well publicised in the motoring press is a work of great desire...

That aside it also left me thinking what a shame Lotus with the Elan and Jaguar with the E type did not continue with development of the models in just the way Porsche have with the 911 (mind you the latest is probably a model too far - so big!).

[Heuer]

Lotus did with the Elan - it is just they handed the concept over to Mazda and we have the MX5 still going strong 40 years later. Opportunity missed!

[SESH]

I went on the Saturday. Fortunately I had a free ticket from some friends who had a stand there. However, I think if I had paid the full price I would have been a bit disappointed. It was a lot of money for the amount on show. I think Birmingham was probably three times the size and about the same cost of admission. The car park was ?15.00 and the drinks and food ridiculous. ?14.00 for four small coffees and ?14.50 for two pork baps! The James May cars that made a difference was also disappointing. Lots of top end cars there at top end prices but less of the classic clubs and affordable classics. Just my thoughts!

[andrewh]

Yes I went on the opening night and had the pleasure of Chris Evans, David Coulthard and various other Well known automotive characters which served to illustrate the these sort of characters can find their way East of Trafalgar Square.
I enjoyed it and would hope it becomes a success. Something was missing, not quite sure what, perhaps the buying public which would ensure exhibitors go back for a second bite. I reckon it would have to be a three year program to build it to critical mass but that requires investment from everyone, exhibitors, public , organisers and Excell themselves .

What was there was very good, high quality and pretty aspirational. Well worth going in spite of ?8.50 for a pulled pork bap with Apple sauce and crackling, even without the crackling which had all gone!

[timhum]

I travelled their on Friday by train and really enjoyed it. There was a very friendly atmosphere with people on the stands very available to talk. It wasn't too crowded and when compared with Birmingham more manageable because it wasn't so huge; I do find Birmingham exhausting. As has been said mostly high-end cars and dealers who seemed to be looking to attract wealthy London purchasers. Some of the workmanship on display was absolutely superb. The various collections of historic racers were really great, many really interesting cars. Food and drink prices were high but that's the pleasure of London. I hope the organisers see it as a success and it continues with more car clubs and examples of the not quite so expensive classics.

[richard btype]

I enjoyed the 'Grand Avenue' idea - which for those who did not visit. They created a central avenue with cars ranging from the dawn of motoring upto the 80's? and had representative cars from each decade but iconic models like the Rolls Royce Ghost, Bugatti 35, C type, Landrover, E type, Mercedes Gullwing, Citroen DS also including race cars like the Maserati 250F and Camel Lotus Turbo F1 to name but a very few.

The central avenue was perhaps 200 metres in length with a turning circle at each end, I believe it was 3 times a day the cars were driven down the Avenue with a commentary on their significance - that was an impressive display lasting about 30 mins and nice to see the cars on the move, as you can imagine the F1 Cars were ear splitting. I'm surprised that the H & S guys allowed it but well done for doing so?.

If I had the necessary funds the Linder/Nocker Eagle recreation in colour Gunmetal would find a space in my garage without a second thought?.

[Heuer]

Make the most of it! http://tinyurl.com/q397e4t

[Simon P]

A good selection of E-type photos from the show:

http://www.monocoque-metalworks.com/mai ... -car-show/