Old school luxury motoring celebrated at Classic Motor Show
The very best in old-school luxury motoring is on display at this year’s Footman James Classic Motor Show when it returns to Birmingham’s NEC from 12-14 November.
Recalling the days when luxury cars were renowned for their elegance, craftsmanship and appointments rather than their gadgets, the Alvis Owners Club is featuring a TD21 previously owned by Prince Philip. Classically understated, Alvis cars were favoured by those who didn’t crave the jaw-dropping attention garnered by other makes of car.
Also from the mid-‘60s but from a more mainstream maker is the Humber Imperial that’s on the Association of Rootes Owners’ Clubs display. Looking almost identical to its cheaper Super Snipe sibling, the Imperial raised the interior trim level to a higher level and was favoured by Government departments and large companies for chauffeuring their executives.
A close rival to the Humber Imperial was Rover’s P5 model in both three-litre and later, P5B V8-engined form. The Rover P5 Club is showing two examples of this highly sought-after model.
In the immediate post-war period Bristol cars went into production, and until today they have enjoyed a loyal client base with those who admire the company’s non-ostentatious design. On the Bristol Owners’ Club stand is an early example of the marque, a 401, as well as a convertible 402 which is said to have been owned by actress Jean Simmons.
Competitively-priced and offering elegance and power well above its station was the Jaguar 420G, the bigger-engined successor to the Mk10. Unashamedly large yet preserving the Coventry marque’s elegant styling cues, an example is being shown on the Jaguar Drivers’ Club’s stand/ The Club is also showing one of the 420G’s predecessors, a Mk9, which found favour because of its competitively-priced combination of looks, power and comfort.
Using Jaguar power and recalling luxury motoring from the pre-war period, Panther’s DevIlle offered luxury car buyers an interesting alternative to more ‘regular’ models. The Panther Owners Club is showing two examples of this rare and highly-prized range-topping model, in both saloon and convertible forms.
And no reference to luxury motoring would be complete without mentioning Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club has examples from down the decades of these two fine marques: alongside a ‘30s ‘Derby’ Bentley and ‘50s Silver Dawn – the first Rolls-Royce that really catered for the owner-driver – there is an ‘80s Silver Spur from Hong Kong’s Peninsula Hotel.
The Classic Motor Show is open from 10am until 7pm on Friday, 9.30am until 7pm on Saturday, and 9.30am until 5.30pm on Sunday. Ticket prices range from £17.50 when purchased in advance. For more information on the Classic Motor Show, visit necclassicmotorshow.com. For information on Footman James, visit footmanjames.co.uk.
