THE CLASSIC SIX NATIONS: WHICH CAR PRODUCING COUNTRY WILL COME OUT ON TOP?

THE CLASSIC SIX NATIONS: WHICH CAR PRODUCING COUNTRY WILL COME OUT ON TOP?   Grand Avenue announces Six Nations theme as classics from Italy, France, the UK and US, Germany and Japan battle for national honours   Italian beauty or America muscle? British tradition or French quirk? German efficiency or Japanese technology? Ten hand-picked classic cars from each of the world’s six top car producing nations – 60 classics in all – will bring the 2016 London Classic Car Show (18-21 February) to life as they parade up and down the show’s centrepiece: The Grand Avenue. Unique to the London Classic Car Show, The Grand Avenue is a highway that runs through the centre of the exhibition and along which some of the world’s finest classic cars are driven. The Grand Avenue turns the Show from a static exhibition to a moving feast, allowing visitors to see andhear their favourite cars in action. At last year’s inaugural show, The Grand Avenue played host to a wide variety of 40 classic cars with highlights including a Maserati 250F once raced by Stirling Moss and one of James Hunt’s iconic Marlboro McLarens. But like the rest of the show – which is almost doubling in size ­– The Grand Avenue will be significantly longer in 2016, providing space for more classics to parade at the same time. “Everyone has a favourite classic, whether it’s a Italian thoroughbred from Ferrari, a futuristic Citroen DS from France or a brawny V8-powered Mustang from the US. “By assembling ten of the finest classic cars from each of the Six Nations and parading them along The Grand Avenue, we can ask show-goers to decide for themselves what’s their favourite car making country,” said Event Director Bas Bungish. Although the final list of cars has yet to be confirmed, among the marques promised are Ferrari and Lamborghini from Italy, Ford and Chevrolet from the US, Bentley and Jaguar (UK), Bugatti and Citroën (France), Mercedes and BMW (Germany) and Datsun and Toyota from Japan. Expect road cars and competition cars with plenty of rarities thrown in for good measure. Attracting more than 25,000 visitors to the ExCeL centre in London’s docklands, the first London Classic Car Show was deemed such a success that even before the Show closed its doors, more space had been secured and dates confirmed for the 2016 event. Tickets are on sale now and start at £23 (including booking fee) for single adult entry on Friday, Saturday or Sunday and rise to £65 for entry to Thursday’s Premium Preview Evening. This includes fast track entry, the best views of The Grand Avenue at the Turning Circle Viewing Platform, access to the exclusive Premium Lounge, a Show Handbook and even a glass of Joseph Perrier fizz. Tickets are available at the click of a mouse from the Show’s website atwww.thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk. Those seeking the perfect Christmas gift can order before 14 December, click the ‘gift ticket’ option at the checkout and the tickets will be dispatched in a special presentation wallet… so you don’t even need wrapping paper. Crammed with innovative features, mouth-watering classic cars and a long list of celebrity visitors, the London Classic Car Show is the one that’s setting the standards. It is staged by Brand Events, the company behind the hugely successful Top Gear Live and CarFest festivals. New for 2016 is an entire hall inspired by a 1960s British Motor Show which will be full of privately owned prestige and performance classics representing the country’s leading car clubs. The result will form an entire show within a show. The hall’s retro vibe will be enhanced by period entertainment and there will also be stands from leading classic car dealers. To keep up-to-date with all the news from the London Classic Car Show visit the dedicated website – www.thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk – or go to the show’s interactive Facebook page. Just search ‘London Classic Car Show’ from your own page and 2016 show news and 2015 highlights are there to be enjoyed.