If you didn’t get over to Alexander Palace last week for the inaugural Classic and Sports Car Show here is a quick round-up of what you missed.

The Show was well attended and spread across three halls at the historic north London Alexandra Palace. All the main London Classic dealers were in attendance; Hexagon Modern Classics; JD Classics; DD Classics amongst others with HR Owen  launching their new Classic car division but it was The Gallery Brummen from the Netherlands who stole the show with their monster stand huge collection of shiny classics.

For me, highlights were the wonderful Motorbike exhibition walking through the motorbike classics from the 1900’s very beginning to the 60’s, with bikes borrowed from the British Museum.

Of the cars on display the Stirling Moss British single seater celebration was great to see; The Cooper Mk IV that Moss took to victory in the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix in the flesh, plus his Lotus and Vanwall F1 cars.

The centre position of the low presentation stage gave the event a personal feel and offered visitors the chance to get up close and personal and listen to Henry Hope-Frost expertly compare interviews to racers; Mike Wilds, (ex Sports car champion and F1 driver) David Brabham (triple Le Mans winner) and Sir John Egan (ex-chairman of Jaguar Cars), Stuart Turner (ex British Rally Navigator) and others. The informal friendly interviews gathered large crowds as visitors gathered round to listen. Some seating would be good for this feature in future perhaps –  Haymarket?

Legendary Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis  was also on stage talking about his high-speed career and was reunited with the very car he drove to the Swiss show back in 1961, ’77 RW’, which is now the oldest surviving E-type roadster on display at the show. This was nice touch and a very special car.

As a creative type I was delighted to browse all the Motorsport Artists; Paul Smith; Richard Wade; Robin Bark; Christie Jensen, and my favourite Klaus Wagger. I was looking forward to the LAT Photographic display but a bit disappointed I was hoping for some amazing classic racing action shots not a sales pitch.

If you are in London for the London Motor Week it is worth the effort for the £25.00 entry fee, especially as half-term meant the traffic was on side and parking was FREE. Plus you do get rewarded with some spectacular views across London at Wood Green.

Report : Sarah Bennett-Baggs, Editor