Posted on 1st November 2016
The second annual Classic & Sports Car Show held yet again at the fabulous Alexandra Palace was a delight.
Alexandra Palace is one of London and the UK's most iconic buildings. Built as the 'People’s Palace' in 1873, this remarkable seven-acre Grade II listed historic entertainment destination is surrounded by 196 acres of North London parkland and offered unprecedented views of the city even on the misty day that greeted us.
Legendary Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis opened this year's show to an eager crowd, beside the iconic XJ13 racing car that sat proudly on display throughout the weekend at the Palm Court entrance of the show.
John Surtees CBE, celebrated World Champion on both two wheels and four, also drew crowds to the stage after revealing the supercar of the century voted for by the public on Classic & Sports Car's website. Surtees took the covers off an iconic McLaren F1 which beat other greats such as the Mecedes 300SL, Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Miura and McLaren P1 and Ferrari F40
The show housed in two main halls allows visitors to browse some stunning cars at leisure, with plenty of circulation space and opportunities to stop and chat to fellow enthusiasts. It was great to meet up with some of our Tour Operators as well as Tim Layzell the motorsport artist who produced the stunning poster for this and last year's event.
Coys auction at The Classic & Sports Car Show was held on the Saturday and a Lamborghini Miura P400 S once owned by rock star Sir Rod Stewart sold for a price of £909,000. 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.
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.
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.
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.
On Sunday the car parks were full of some stunning machinery as Pistonheads Sunday was held at the show.
Once again, an excellent show weekend with plenty to see and do, all in a fantastic setting. We will hopefuly return next year.
