London Classic Car Show
London, UK 15-18 February
Nigel MaNsell is set to have a very busy year, with appearances across the UK to mark the 25th anniversary of his World Championship win for Williams. The huge Sunday crowds that hung on his every word during the London Classic Car Show proved there is more than enough appetite to carry the celebrations through to December.
While the F1 driver was just one of the big attractions during the fourth running of the event, his stints on stage with the late Henry Hope-Frost (see News) overshadowed everything else. And that with Mansell having already done pretty much the same routine at Autosport International in January.
Of course, Mansell also took to the Grand Avenue, the event’s centrepiece quarter-mile runway on which cars can run at strictly limited speeds. Low speeds don’t necessarily mean a lack of action, though, as Mansell proved by dramatically spinning the wheels of an Eagle Speedster to make his entrance. Later in the day, the racer returned in a Ferrari 246 Dino F1 car and 1993 BenettonFord. A special display bookmarked his career with his title-winning WilliamsRenault FW14 and the 1977 Crosslé 32F with which he learned his trade.
Mansell said: ‘It’s always wonderful to see some of my old racing cars and to meet the fans – and they have been absolutely brilliant. To drive cars indoors was pretty special, too – I’ve had a lot of fun and I hope those who came to see me, and the show, enjoyed themselves as much as I did.’
The show attracted nearly 40,000 enthusiasts, according to organisers. On the Saturday the star turn was actor Philip Glenister. The For the Love of Cars lead was reunited with the red Audi Quattro from TV drama Ashes to Ashes as part of the special display he curated, dedicated to getaway cars.
Throughout the show some 700 cars worth a total of more than £300 million were on display with a selection of high-end dealers and restorers. Among the highlights was the unique 1954 Jaguar XK120 SE Pinin Farina that was displayed by Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth. Other notable cars included a McLaren P1 and the new 200+mph Lister Thunder. There were also rafts of exotic and significant machinery in the Historic Motorsport International display, as well as an expanded section showcasing club cars from the likes of the Jensen Owners’ Club, TVR Club, BMW Car Club and plenty more.
More than 50 cars could be seen on the Grand Avenue, which this year had the theme of Specials, with some drivers such as Justin Law putting on a spectacular show despite the speed limit.
‘It has been another absolutely fantastic London Classic Car Show,’ enthused Bas Bungish, event director. ‘We started with the global launch of the incredible Lister Thunder on the Thursday evening and ended with Nigel Mansell doing tyre-burning donuts on The Grand Avenue in an F1 car – could you ask for more? Even so, we are determined to keep building on what we’ve achieved and are already planning for an even bigger show in 12 months time.’