A new year is upon us, and it’s time to get your calender ready for some of the most anticipated classic car events to look forward to this year. From sleek automotive showcases to historic high-octane motorsport extravaganzas, here’s a shortlist of some of the absolute best…
Rétromobile (7-11 Feb)
Held at the prestigious Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre in Paris, Rétromobile is the season-opening classic car show spectacular. Heritage and history meet in a sea of spotlights, red carpet and polished lacquer. A huge exhibition space opens up to visitors from all over the world, ready to take in up to 500 classic cars on show, with over 100 clubs in attendance.
The event is jam packed with everything a classic car fan could ask for, from car makers and automobilia vendors, to auction houses and car art galleries. There is truly something for everyone.
Tour Auto 2000 Optic (23-28 April)
Traditionally starting at the Grand Palais in Paris and continuing along French roads and circuits, the Tour Auto sees over 230 classic cars brought together for five days of adventurous exploration and competition.
As usual the final destination, circuits and stage towns have been kept under-wraps and will be revealed later in the year. The event always honours a particular manufacturer or type of car that has been involved in the history of the Tour de France Automobile. For 2018 the spotlight will be focused on Italian models that are no longer produced, including Autobianchi, De Tomaso and Osca.
It will be the 27th edition of the Peter Auto organised event this year, and spectators will be lining up along the route to once again witness a sensational slipstreamed sight.
Grand Prix de Monaco Historique (11-13 May)
Held biennially, the tenth edition of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique will see quintessential classic cars go head-to-head around the iconic Monte Carlo circuit. It’s said to be one of the most thrilling events in contemporary motorsport, and fans can come from far and wide to enjoy the challenging competition, with the most sought after view being the balcony of the Fairmont Hotel.
The event kicks off at the same locale as the F1 Grand Prix, which starts two weeks later, and historic cars ranging from the pre-war classic Bugatti to 1970 classic Formula One machinery all line up for some high-speed action.
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este (25-27 May)
Suave, sophisticated ladies and gentlemen come together, with glamourous classic cars on the terrace of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este on Lake Como. The Concorso d’Eleganza offers visitors the opportunity to admire beautifully presented historic cars built between the 1920s and 1980s. It’s an iconic event full of glistening sheen and eccentric elegance.
