CROWDS FLOCK TO FINAL DAY OF THE CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR SHOW

CROWDS FLOCK TO FINAL DAY OF
THE CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR SHOW

• Halls are packed as 2016 show comes to a close
• Six-wheeled Tyrrell F1 car stars again in Live Parades
• Supercar displays draw young and enthusiastic audiences
• Former touring car ace Anthony Reid among the personalities on the Live Interview Stage, presented by Goodwood Road & Racing
• Pistonheads Sunday Service takes place in Pavilion car park
• For further information go to http://www.classicandsportscarshow.com

London, October 30th 2016     

The 2016 Classic & Sports Car Show has drawn to a close with halls packed with enthusiastic visitors at Alexandra Palace in north London.

Thousands streamed past the iconic Jaguar XJ13 on display at the Palm Court entrance once the doors had opened to the public at 10am for the third and final day. They were met with a feast of classic cars to view as the cream of dealers and specialists from the UK and Europe displayed vehicles from every era of motoring history.

Exhibitors include Aston Martin specialist Desmond J Smail, DD Classics, Arthur Bechtel Classic Motors, Hexagon Classics, Gallery Aaldering, vintage Bentley expert Stanley Mann Racing and many more.

Visitors were also invited to view consignments sold the previous day at the Coys auction, the first sale to be held at The Classic & Sports Car Show. The headline sale was a Lamborghini Miura P400 S delivered new to rock star Sir Rod Stewart in 1971, which made £909,000.

Chris Routledge, CEO of Coys, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with our first-ever sale at the Classic & Sports Car Show. The room at Alexandra Palace was packed throughout and, in total we’ve achieved more than £4 million-worth of sales.” 

Outside the halls, a six-wheeled Tyrrell Formula 1 car running along the South Terrace at the head of the Live Parades continued to thrill the crowds, the blare of its Cosworth DFV engine ripping through the London fog. Driver Rob Hall of specialist preparation company Hall & Hall put on a great show in the car which was raced in 1977 by the late, great Ronnie Peterson.

The Tyrrell led a stunning collection of modern high-performance vehicles from Supercars of Essex, which drew enthusiastic interest, especially from younger visitors.

In the Pavilion car park, the Pistonheads Sunday Service offered enthusiasts not only more opportunities to view a great collection of classic cars, but also a chance to display their own.

Back in the halls, former British Touring Car Championship ace Anthony Reid joined host Henry Hope-Frost for a chat on the Live Interview Stage, presented by Goodwood Road & Racing. Sports car veteran John Fitzpatrick also returned to sign more copies of his new autobiography entitled ‘Fitz’.

James Elliott, Group Editor, Classic & Sports Car magazine, said: “We’ve enjoyed a hugely successful show over the course of three fantastic days at Alexandra Palace. It’s been great to see so many visitors enjoy both the static and moving cars that have been on display and I’d like to extend my gratitude to all the exhibitors, car owners and motoring personalities who have made the show so memorable.”

Other highlights of the show included a feature showing the restoration of a unique Jaguar XK120 by Pininfarina by Classic Motor Cars (CMC) in association with Total.

There was also a selection of premium food and wine to enjoy while looking out on the spectacular show displays in the Casablanca-themed Fine Dining Restaurant, situated under the iconic Grand Willis Organ.

Visit www.classicandsportscarshow.com for more information.

CHANNEL 4’S FOR THE LOVE OF CARS RESTORED, FIRST PRODUCTION, EARLS COURT SHOW CAR LOTUS ELITE FOR AUCTION

The very first production Lotus Elite, bought new by jazz legend Chris Barber, and recently restored for Channel 4’s ‘For the Love of Cars’, will be auctioned by Silverstone Auctions at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show Sale on 12th November at the NEC, Birmingham. The ‘For the Love of Cars’ production team will be attending the auction to film the sale as it unfolds, with the episode due to be broadcast shortly after on Channel 4.

The 1958 Lotus Elite Series I, chassis 1009, is the very first Elite produced as a proper production vehicle, unlike the previous eight examples produced as pre-production prototypes, and was used by Lotus as a display vehicle at the 1958 Earls Court Motor Show.

It was then purchased by one of Colin Chapman’s most favoured customers and personal friend, jazz musician Chris Barber, on New Year’s Eve of the same year, making it the first ever customer car, before embarking on an incredible race history. 

Barber raced the Elite extensively for five seasons in top level international sportscar racing, in both the UK and Europe. As well as competing in three consecutive Tourist Trophy races at Goodwood in 1961, 1962 and winning its class in 1963 with Mike Beckwith, the Elite raced at the Nurburgring and in the British Empire Trophy.  During this period it was also driven regularly by Sir John Whitmore, the 'Racing Baronet', who famously broke the class lap record at Spa with ‘CB 23’ while on his way to class victory in the Grand Prix GT Support Race of 1962. Other notable drivers who drove the car include Bob Olthoff. 

Today, at the age of 58 and after several years in storage, the Elite has just emerged from a top quality, exacting nut and bolt restoration by Ant Anstead’s team with assistance from top Lotus marque experts, all filmed as part of a one off Lotus special ‘For the Love of Cars’. 

Ant Anstead explains, “Every detail of this car has been restored as new using only top quality components, and with race scrutineering in mind. The result is car that is a joy to behold and a thrill to drive. I raced the car in the Tourist Trophy at this year’s Silverstone Classic and I couldn’t be more proud.” 

Ant Anstead’s restoration involved stripping the car to a bare monocoque, fitting a full, FIA approved roll cage accompanied by an FIA homologated Tillett B6F Carbon-GRP racing seat, TRS belts, bespoke fuel system avoiding the notorious “wing tank” that remains fitted. The engine was rebuilt by Coventry Climax specialist, Glyn Peacock, to his full race 'all steel' specification and a pair of weber 40 carbs, the original MGA sourced gearbox was rebuilt by well-known specialist Mike Jennings, and new wheels, from specialist MWS, were fitted with the correct Dunlop racing tyres. Every inch of this car has been accounted for. 

Presented now in stunning period UDT Green, the time has come for the car to find a new home and it will go under the hammer at the NEC estimated at between £75,000 and £100,000. 

Speaking ahead of the sale of the car, Silverstone Auctions managing director, Nick Whale, said, “This car represents a unique proposition for buyers either wanting to race in top level historic motor sport or add to a stable of historically interesting cars. Its history and provenance make this Elite one of the most famous in the world and it would be welcome at any prestigious historic race meeting or show worldwide.”

For more information on the car and Silverstone Auctions’ sale at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show please visit https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/lotus-

SOURCE: www.necclassicmotorshow.com

PANTHER CAR CLUB PAYS TRIBUTE TO ROBERT JANKEL'S UNFINISHED SYMPHONY WITH RARE J99 APPEARANCE

PANTHER CAR CLUB PAYS TRIBUTE TO ROBERT JANKEL’S UNFINISHED SYMPHONY WITH RARE J99 APPEARANCE

The Panther Car Club will pay tribute to English car designer Robert Jankel and his ‘unfinished symphony’ as part of the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show’s Heroes and Heroines theme.

A remarkable car will greet classic car enthusiasts when they visit the Panther Car Club stand in Hall 5, for the Club will be championing rarity in a big way and will showcase the last Panther model Jankel designed, the J99, which has never before been on public display. This will be an extra attraction to the J72, De Ville, Lima and Rio models already destined for the stand as part of the tribute and adding further to the Panther Car Club’s show presence.

Panther cars, originally the Surrey-based, craftsman-built creations of fashion designer Bob Jankel from the early 1970s onwards, combined 1930’s retro looks with modern Vauxhall, Ford and Jaguar mechanics. They were never produced in vast numbers, although their several hundred popular models have always attracted a keen following.

In contrast, this sporty little number, the J99, has lain dormant in storage since Jankel’s untimely death in 2005. The two-seater coupe with gull wing doors, was powered by a Ford Lincoln V8 mounted transversely to the rear of the cabin and driving the rear wheels. The front suspension has double wishbones and the car has roadster style wheel arches front and rear. The rear aspect is particularly impressive with four exposed tail silencers and a horizontal rear panel with end plates mounted low down featuring Chevrolet Corvette style round lights.

Standing at 1.7 metres wide by 3.6 metres long, it is a truly amazing car, one that only Jankel, well known for his designs, could have produced, in line with his world renowned Panther 6, which last caused a sensation at the NEC on the Club stand in 2008. Now, more than a decade on, enthusiasts will get the chance to see – up close – what might have been.

“The never manufactured J99 on show would have rekindled the Panther market and surely taken Panther’s spirit of craftsman-built and highly individual motoring to new heights, but was unfortunately not to be” said Panther Car Club spokesperson, Val Bridges. “However, this makes Panthers doubly fascinating today, and we feel sure show visitors will be sharing our great excitement at having this truly amazing car on our stand and can only thank the Jankel family for loaning the car to us and allowing us to put on an unforgettable display.” See this fantastic display and meet the Panther Car Club in Hall 5 at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show.

SOURCE: www.necclassicmotorshow.com

VETERAN AUTOMOBILES PREPARE FOR THEIR ANNUAL OUTING FROM LONDON TO BRIGHTON

] VETERAN AUTOMOBILES PREPARE FOR THEIR ANNUAL OUTING FROM LONDON TO BRIGHTON World’s biggest free-to-view motoring event gets underway at sunrise on Sunday, 6th November As dawn breaks on Sunday, 6th November, London’s Hyde Park will be full of the sights, sounds and smells of the past. From 6am, a grand total of 426 veteran cars, their drivers and their passengers – many in period costume – will be lining up to ‘putt-putt’ their way to Brighton as the annual Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox, gets underway. And just after 7am – and the traditional tearing up of the red flag – the cars will set off for the coast one-by-one. At sunrise three- and four-wheelers, mostly petrol-driven but including 14 powered by steam plus a pair of pioneering electric vehicles – and every single one built before 1905 – all will start out for the coast. Some of the makes represented, such as Renault, Peugeot, Daimler, Mercedes and Benz – will be familiar to today’s motorists. But there are plenty of long forgotten marques there, too: Mors, De Dion Bouton, Colliot, Purtian and Milwaukee to name but a few. The Run is the largest free-to-view motoring event in the world and hundreds of thousands regularly line the route to cheer on the intrepid teams. This year they will be able to spot stars such as Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and TV’s Edd China while Ross Brawn and Eddie Jordan will be swapping the high octane world of Formula 1 for a more sedate form of motoring. Jodie Kidd will be taking the wheel of Harrods’ veteran Pope Waverley, while BBC stars Chris Evans, Alex Jones and Ken Bruce will be following the Run in vintage buses, raising funds for BBC Children in Need. One four-wheeled star is Genevieve, the 1904 Darracq that was the eponymous lead in the 1953 film comedy about the Run, while this year’s event marks the 130th anniversary of the world’s first automobile, the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen, giving the Run a German theme. From Hyde Park, from where the last cars will leave at about 8.15am, the veterans head down Constitution Hill, passing Buckingham Palace and onto The Mall, before turning right onto Horse Guards Road and then left onto Birdcage Walk towards Westminster Bridge. From there, they pass Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament – where 120 years ago the Locomotives on the Highway Act was passed. This raised the speed limit for ‘light locomotives’ from 4mph to 14mph and abolished the need for the vehicles to be preceded by a man carrying a red flag. The passing of the Act was celebrated by the first ‘Emancipation Run’ when 30 cars travelled from London to Brighton. It was held on 14th November 1896, the very day the Act came into operation. Leaving London via the A23 through Lambeth, Norbury, Croydon and Redhill, the cars head towards Crawley and the official halfway halt at Honda Gatwick where the cars can be fettled and the intrepid motorists refreshed at the Harrods Stop. Although there’s no public access at the Stop, there will be ample opportunity for spectators to get close to the veterans at Crawley High Street, which is where Gatwick Airport will be providing hand warmers to hardy spectators.  The High Street will also mark the start of the Chopard Regularity Time Trial. The first car is expected at the High Street from 8.15am with the last car leaving at around 1.45pm. From Crawley the cars head over the Downs towards the finish point at Brighton’s Madeira Drive where the first cars are expected to arrive from just after 10.00am continuing until the event officially closes at 4.30pm. Robert Brooks, Chairman of Bonhams, said: “It might not sound too difficult to drive from London to Brighton, but in these pioneering automobiles it really is an adventure. I just hope my 1895 Peugeot makes the trip without a hitch… but one can never be sure!” Peter Read, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club’s Motoring Committee said: “Being part of this wonderful cavalcade these 400 plus veteran cars driving en masse from the capital to the coast is an incredibly special privilege. If you encounter us on these veterans on the road, though, please treat them with respect and remember that none of them has the braking efficiency of a modern car…” The Run is just one element of the Royal Automobile Club’s London Motor Week – a seven-day celebration of motoring, which includes an art exhibition, motoring lectures, a motoring forum and a motoring book awards evening. The penultimate event in the week is the free-to-view Regent Street Motor Show, on Saturday 5thNovember, which turns London’s premier shopping street into a motoring showcase that puts the spotlight on veterans and moderns alike. For more details of the event visit www.veterancarrun.com

Fiskens wows the crowds as it opens stunning new mews showroom and celebrates 25 years in business

Fiskens wows the crowds as it opens stunning new mews showroom and celebrates 25 years in business

• Fiskens celebrates 25 years as one of the world’s leading dealers of fine automobiles
• The company’s new, state-of-the-art, mews showroom is revealed for the first time this week
• The new facility, which features a remarkable subterranean showroom and unique hydraulic lift,  sets a new standard for a central London historic car dealership

Fiskens, one of the world’s leading specialists in fine historic automobiles, has celebrated its 25th anniversary year in style with the launch of an all-new, state-of-the-art showroom. Nestled in the famous Queens Gate Place Mews, which has been a celebrated mecca for classic car enthusiasts for many decades and the company’s long-term home.

The business, which rightly claims to be the place ‘where the world’s greatest cars come to be sold’, has cleverly integrated the stunning new, high-technology showroom seamlessly into the beautiful and traditional surroundings of the mews. The new premises is an addition to the existing showroom and creates significant new space in which cars can be displayed in a beautiful, contemporary setting. Arranged over two floors, the showroom incorporates an ingenious and unique hydraulic lift to raise and lower cars from the large subterranean display area to street level.

Gregor Fisken, the company’s founder, says: “This project has taken over 3½ years to complete from the initial planning stage, and has required some outstanding architectural, design and engineering expertise. To have the new showroom open in our 25^thanniversary year is a fantastic way to celebrate this landmark in the company’s history. I am delighted that we have successfully preserved the mews’ wonderful, traditional character and yet have created what we consider to be one of the finest modern environments in which to display historic cars.”

Approximately 14500 cubic feet of earth was excavated to create the basement showroom, which boasts an extra 1049 square feet of floor area. The hydraulic scissor lift is the ‘pièce de résistance’ of the development and is significant as it is the only one in the world to feature a detachable roof deck which becomes the ground floor. It also features unique removable posts that support the deck when in use. This incredible piece of engineering weights 8.75 tonnes and has a lifting capacity of 3 tonnes.

For more information about Fiskens and to view the current stock, please visit: www.fiskens.com

EX-SIR ROD STEWART LAMBORGHINI SELLS FOR £909,000 AT THE CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR SHOW COYS AUCTION

EX-SIR ROD STEWART LAMBORGHINI SELLS FOR £909,000
AT THE CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR SHOW COYS AUCTION

• 1971 Miura once owned by knighted rocker tops the Lots
• Aston Martin DB5 goes under the hammer for £450,000
• Steve Soper and John Fitzpatrick star on Live Interview Stage
• Jensen owners celebrate Interceptor and FF 50th anniversary in Live Parade at Alexandra Palace, north London
• The show runs until 30th October. Tickets, including Platinum experience, still available online and on the door. For further information go to http://www.classicandsportscarshow.com

London, October 29th 2016     

A Lamborghini Miura P400 S once owned by rock star Sir Rod Stewart sold for a price of £909,000 at the Coys auction that took place today at The Classic & Sports Car Show at Alexandra Palace.

The Italian supercar, which was delivered new to the Maggie May singer in 1971, topped more than 60 lots as the show hosted its first classic car sale.

Other auction highlights included a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 that boasted only one owner from new – until it sold today for £450,000. Meanwhile, a Ferrari 246 GT Dino made the all-up price of £371,000.

The sale headlined another packed day at the The Classic & Sports Car Show, as more star names from the motoring world made appearances on the Live Interview Stage, presented by Goodwood Road & Racing.

Touring car racing hero Steve Soper drew a large crowd as host Henry Hope-Frost grilled him on his life racing BMWs, Rovers, Ford Sierra RS500s and, more recently, historic saloons and GTs.

Veteran sports car driver and entrant John Fitzpatrick followed Soper on stage and kept the crowd entertained with tales of racing Porsche 935s and 956s during his illustrious endurance racing career during the 1970s and ’80s. Fitzpatrick, who was also signing copies of his new autobiography entitled ‘Fitz’, also revealed how he played a part in discovering a young Lewis Hamilton after witnessing the now three-time Formula 1 World Champion racing karts as a child.

“I recommended to McLaren’s Ron Dennis that this kid could be the Tiger Woods of motor racing,” said Fitzpatrick on stage. “When I left, apparently Ron picked up the phone to [the late karting guru] Martin Hines to find out more about this young lad named Lewis Hamilton.”

Dennis would later sign up Hamilton, who claimed his first F1 world title for McLaren in only his second season back in 2008.

Classic & Sports Car columnists Alain de Cadenet and Simon Taylor were interviewed on stage too, and the latter also took part in the three Live Parades which ran on the South Terrace past Alexandra Palace’s famous façade during the course of the day.

Taylor’s unique HWM ‘Stovebolt Special’ – once a Formula 2 car raced by Sir Stirling Moss that Simon now competes in and drives on the road – roared along in front of an impressive London cityscape, as Rob Hall returned to thrill the large crowds with powerslides in a 1977 six-wheeled Tyrrell P34 Formula 1 car. The iconic racer is appearing in London this weekend thanks to oil company Total and is due to make three more appearances tomorrow (Sunday) on the final day of the 2016 Classic & Sports Car Show.

Behind the competition cars, Jensen owners marked the 50th anniversary of the evocative Interceptor and FF with two parades, while consignments for the Coys auction were shown off during the second run of the day.

James Elliott, Group Editor, Classic & Sports Car magazine, said: “The Coys auction, our first sale at this show, was always destined to be the highlight of day two – and all eyes were on the ex-Rod Stewart Lamborghini. The atmosphere in the hall was electric as the hammer fell on lot after lot, while the Live Parades once again gave visitors a fantastic treat in the picturesque grounds of Alexandra Palace.”

Other highlights of the show included a feature showing the restoration of a unique Jaguar XK120 by Pininfarina by Classic Motor Cars (CMC) in association with Total.

Visitors who attend the third and final day on Sunday October 30th can also join in the Pistonheads Sunday Service for enthusiasts in the Pavilion car park, and are also promised a feast of classic cars to view in the halls as the cream of dealers and specialists from the UK and Europe display vehicles from every era of motoring history. Exhibitors include Aston Martin specialist Desmond J Smail, DD Classics, Arthur Bechtel Classic Motors, Hexagon Classics, Gallery Aaldering, vintage Bentley expert Stanley Mann Racing and many more.

There is also a selection of premium food and wine to enjoy while looking out on the spectacular show displays in the Casablanca-themed Fine Dining Restaurant, situated under the iconic Grand Willis Organ.

Visit www.classicandsportscarshow.com for more information. The Classic & Sports Car Show continues until Sunday 30th October and tickets, including the Platinum experience, are still available on the door.

LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.necclassicmotorshow.com

Meguiar’s are hugely excited to announce the first 13 of 16 finalists that will go through to the Meguiar’s Club Showcase at this year’s NEC Classic Motor Show, taking place throughout the 11-13th November.The showcase will once again offer classic car enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the crème de la crème of vehicles from across the UK club scene, featuring a total of 16 entrants which have all achieved top honours at their respective national shows which have been supported by Meguiar’s throughout the year.

The entrants already confirmed for this year’s show area

VolksWorld’s ‘Best In Show’ 1958 Karmann Beetle

The Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Master Class Winner’1991 300D (W124).

The Independent Porsche Enthusiast Club ‘Car of the Day’ 1986 911 Carrera Sport.

The Jaguar Enthusiasts Club ‘Car of The Day’ XK120.

The TR Register’s ‘Master Class Winning’ 1972 TR6.

The American Auto Club ‘Late Summer Season’ 2nd Place Chevy 3100.

Peterborough Hot Rod & Custom Show ‘Best Of Britain’ 1952 Ford Anglia

National Mini Owners Club ‘Best Of Show’ 1966 Morris Mini Traveler Woody

The Capri Club International’s ‘Gold Award Winning’ Mk3 Ford Capri 3.0 Ghia

Saab Owner Club ‘Best In Show’ 1964 Saab 96 Two Stroke

PLUS

MG Car Club ‘Concours Winning’ MGB V8

The Morgan Car Club ‘Concours Winner’ Morgan Plus 8

Mk1 Gold Owners Club ‘AGM Meet 2016 Winner’ Mk1 Golf

The final day of the Meguiar’s Club Showcase will see an independent judging team tasked with the challenge of selecting the ‘Meguiar’s Car of the Year’ to succeed the 2015 winner, Alexander Louden’s stunning 1939 MG TB.

TOP 10 REASONS NOT TO MISS THE CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR SHOW THIS WEEKEND

TOP 10 REASONS NOT TO MISS
THE CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR SHOW THIS WEEKEND

• Alexandra Palace to host London show on October 28th-30th
• ‘Century of Supercars’ to inspire stunning centrepiece
• Live Parades led by six-wheeled Tyrrell Formula 1 car
• Surtees and Dewis head stars for Live Interview Stage
• To buy tickets, go to http://www.classicandsportscarshow.com

  

Alexandra Palace in north London hosts The Classic & Sports Car Show this weekend (October 28th-30th). Here are 10 reasons not to miss one of the highlights of the classic car calendar.

1.  Century of Supercars

The central theme celebrates the ‘top end’ of the classic scene. The most exotic sports cars in the history of motoring will be celebrated, with 10 mouth-watering models from 10 decades forming what promises to be an unforgettable centrepiece display, estimated at a collective value of £40 million. The term ‘Supercar’ is often considered to be a relatively modern one, but can actually be traced back to the pioneering years of the automobile – which prompted Classic & Sports Car to run a global online poll to challenge the public to choose which great cars should represent each decade. The list was whittled down to a final 10, and now the votes are in to decide the single greatest supercar of the past century. The winner will be revealed at the show on Friday morning.

2. Live Parades

The Classic & Sports Car Show has more than just halls of static displays. This year, for the first time, live parades of cars will be run in the picturesque grounds of Alexandra Palace. The runs, which will take place twice a day over the course of the three-day show, will begin in the Grove area and then accelerate past the Palm Court entrance along the south terrace, in front of a stunning London cityscape. Leading the way will be an iconic six-wheeled Tyrrell P34 Formula 1 car, which will create unforgettable sights and sounds at the north London landmark. It will appear thanks to sponsor Elf, a brand of Total, and its new range of engine oil known as HTX Classic Cars.

3. Live Interview Stage

Great figures from the world of classic motoring will make guest appearances at the show. The Live Interview Stage, presented by Goodwood Road & Racing, will feature legends such as John Surtees CBE – the only man to have won world championships on two and four wheels. Legendary Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis, OBE is also lined up and will open the show on the first day.

4. Jaguar XJ13 on display

A faulty tyre led Dewis to famously wreck the original XJ13 in a MIRA proving ground crash in 1971, but the recreation of this racing car that never actually raced is always a draw wherever it appears. At Alexandra Palace, the XJ13 will greet visitors in the Palm Court area as they enter the show. Its sleek aerodynamic styling made it an instant classic when Jaguar built it in the mid-60s, but in the era of the Ford GT40 it was outdated before it even turned a wheel and the project never went beyond the test track. Still, somehow its lack of racing pedigree hasn’t stopped it from becoming a cult hero of motoring’s golden era.

5. The cream of classic dealers

Complementing the supercar display and the Jaguar XJ13, a selection of Britain and Europe’s finest classic car dealers and restorers will show off their masterpieces. The rarest Aston Martins, Ferraris and Porsches will line up beside the finest Jaguars, Mercedes and both pre- and post-war Bentleys and Rolls-Royces.

6. ‘Lost’ Jaguar restoration

A novel feature will be a display documenting the restoration of a rare Jaguar once considered lost. A team of specialists from Classic Motor Cars (CMC) will be on-stand throughout the weekend to show in great detail how they are bringing this one-of-a-kind model back to its former glory. As part of the feature, presented in association with Total, visitors will be able to view progress on the restoration, with the XK120 making its first public appearance for 40 years as the focal point of the display. The unique 1954 Jaguar XK120 features bodywork from renowned Italian design house Pininfarina and is believed to have been created for US importer Max Hoffman. It made its debut at the 1955 Geneva Motor Show and as the only XK120 produced by Pininfarina, it remains one of the rarest Jaguars in existence.

7. Fabulous motoring art

Beautiful cars have long inspired artists to create great works of varying styles, and a wide array will be on display at Alexandra Palace. Tim Layzell is one of the best known artists in the motoring world and his striking ‘pop art’ style features on the show posters this year. Other exhibitors include silk-screen printer Ella Freire who will display her collection of limited edition classic car prints, Unique & Limited with its stunning recreations of historic moments in time, Paul Pennell of Artistry in Aluminium and his handmade repoussé in metalwork pieces, and Silent Autos Diecast Model Cars with its beautifully detailed recreations of great cars.

8. Coys classic car auction

This will be dangerously tempting for show visitors. Coys will host an auction of fine classic cars on the Saturday to lure enthusiasts who might have an empty space to fill in a garage at home. Consignments include a Lamborghini Miura P400 S once owned by newly knighted singer Sir Rod Stewart and a Lamborghini Ghibli 4.9 SS that was formerly the pride and joy of U2 bassist Adam Clayton.

9. Fine Dining Restaurant

Introduced due to overwhelming demand from last year’s show visitors, the Casablanca-themed Fine Dining Restaurant is a premium eatery within the Great Hall, located underneath the historic and iconic Grand Willis Organ. Diners will also be greeted by classical music performances to set the ambiance in the surroundings.

10. Alexandra Palace itself

Completing our top 10 highlights of the Classic & Sports Car Show has to be the venue itself. Alexandra Palace remains the jewel of north London venues, offering a stunning setting and fantastic views of the city to complement the wonderful displays.

For further information about the show, and to buy tickets, please visit www.classicandsportscarshow.com