UK show scene: Churchil to McRae

• 
• 

While Paris is brimming with classic car enthusiasts, the UK is making up itself for two major shows on the islands. They are the London Classic Car Show, which takes place from February 15 to 18 and the Race Retro Show in Coventry from February 23 to 25. What to expect? We like the homage on ‘getaway cars’ that will be held by actor Philip Glenister in London. In the organizer’s words: “An evocative tribute to those vehicles made famous in film or used in headline-grabbing real-life robberies and getaways. Famous for ‘firing up’ his Audi quattro when acting as DCI Gene Hunt in Ashes to Ashes – Glenister will be maximising his insider knowledge to bring together this showcase of cars.” “Cars need to be quick, handle well and, of course, have lots of room in the back” added Glenister.

Also on display in London is a rare. Daimler DB18 Drophead Coupe. It’s believed to be one of just three survivors, but this is also the very one used by Winston Churchil for his political campaigns between 1944 and 1949. Churchill toured the country in this car, sitting on the rear deck and addressing the crowds via a loud speaker system fitted on top of the car’s bonnet. Despite a 120,000 pounds restoration, the loud speaker appears to be missing, though.

Coventry, the next weekend, will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the ground-effects era. On display will be the Lotus 79 that is considered to be the first car to take on this technology back in 1978. With Mario Andretti in the driver’s seat it became the world championship winning car of that year. Furthermore some 80 Group B and –C rally cars will be seen in action on the 'Live Rally Stage’, among them a Ford that was driven by rally master Colin McRae, who tragically died in a helicopter accident in 2007, while another of his cars will be sold in auction.

(Words editor, pictures courtesy London Classic Car Show / Race Retro)

Aggiunga un commento...