Specially themed hall harks back to London Motor Shows of the past at the ExCeL

Specially themed hall harks back to London Motor Shows of the past

Whether it’s Berkeley, Leicester, Sloane or, indeed, good old Albert from the EastEnders soap opera, London is famous for its Squares. Now the capital’s premier classic car celebration – the eagerly anticipated 2016 London Classic Car Show – will, too, boast its very own special Square.

As a central part of a massive expansion following a hugely successful first show at ExCeL in Docklands 12 months ago, the second London Classic Car Show (18-21 February) is incorporating ‘Car Club Square’.

Located in a dedicated hall adjoining the main exhibition area, the new Car Club Square will be filled with the country’s best single-marque classic car clubs. Clubs already confirmed include Aston Martin Owners Club, BMW Car Club, Jensen Owners’ Club and Mercedes-Benz Owners Club with many more to be confirmed shortly. Porsche Club Great Britain is another to be out in force at the Show.

Harking back to evocative London Motor Shows from the past, Car Club Square will also feature stands from relevant classic car dealers. Adding further to the Square’s retro vibe, visitors will be treated to period entertainment in the retro bar and café.

“Everybody loved the first London Classic Car Show and wanted even more,” enthused Event Director, Bas Bungish. “Car Club Square is very much part of that expansion. What’s more, it not only will add yet another must-see dimension to a show that’s going to be nearly twice as big as the original but it will also provide visitors with a fabulous opportunity to buy affordable classics as well as the rare and valuable premium cars that proved so popular at the first show.”   

Bringing another popular London landmark to ExCeL, Car Club Square will also be home to one more of the Show’s new innovations. Speakers’ Corner will provide show-goers with an open forum where guest speakers and VIPs will talk about classic cars as investments, about the pleasure derived from classic car ownership and offer advice about buying and selling at auction.

One familiar face holding talks and discussions will be Chris Routledge of Coys Auctions. He was one of the presenters on the recent The Classic Car Show programme on Channel 5. Experts from insurance specialist Hagerty International will also be on the soap box forecasting the key cars to watch in 2016 and the next best buy.

Car Club Corner and Speakers’ Corner are just two of the major additions to a thriving show that’s nearly doubled in size since its introduction to rave reviews at the start of 2015.

Among the other key elements that are being enlarged in 2016 is the event’s centrepiece, ‘The Grand Avenue’, a highway running through the middle of the show and along which many iconic classics are driven.

No fewer than 60 legendary machines representing England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States have been selected under the ‘Six Nations’ theme. They will all be paraded up and down The Grand Avenue, not only bringing the show to life but also allowing visitors to decide which of the six nations is the world’s greatest car building country.

Although the 2016 show is almost twice as big as before, ticket prices remain very affordable and give access to all areas, including Car Club Square. The standard adult entry ticket costs £23 (children £17) with family tickets available at £65. Premium access to the glittering premiere evening costs £65 each, for which tickets will be strictly limited.