Every year, classic car enthusiasts can look forward to a host of events, where they can see the best cars of bygone times and meet like-minded people. There’s plenty to get excited about this year, as it’s the first full season of classic car events following two years of pandemic disruption.
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Le Mans Classic
The 2022 Le Mans Classic takes place from 30th June to 3rd July and promises to conjure up the spirit of the great historic races of years gone by. The Classic was launched in 2002 to celebrate the history of the gruelling Le Mans 24-Hour endurance race that began in 1923.
On the Circuit de la Sarthe at Pays de la Loire, France; the Le Mans Classic is held every two years and has become a successful gathering for historic sports racing cars. Each rally attracts hundreds of cars and more than 100,000 fans.
Classic car enthusiasts are looking further ahead to 2023, when a special 100th-anniversary event will be celebrated at the Le Mans Classic Centenary Edition. The event organiser, Patrick Peter, has seen the number of fans attending grow from 30,000 in 2003. He describes the event as “a dream” for drivers, cars and spectators.
Salon Privé
The Salon Privé and Concours of Elegance meeting takes place from 31st August to 4th September. Classic car enthusiasts gather at Blenheim Palace and the Royal Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace estate in the London borough of Richmond upon Thames.
Celebrating 17 years of the Concours d’Elégance, the show offers classic car owners and spectators a unique and traditionally British experience. The South Lawn hosts the finest collection of classic and historic automobiles and motorcycles in the UK, with prizes for the winners of the most stunning vehicles.
Members of the public can enjoy the UK’s finest hospitality including dining in the exclusive Pavilions, luncheon on the lawn or a luxury five-course dinner in The Glass House. Visitors can enjoy a second-to-none culinary experience and feast their eyes on hundreds of vintage and classic cars at this exclusive automobile show.
Goodwood Revival
From 16th to 18th September, the Goodwood Revival is the only motor sporting event to be staged entirely in a period theme. The roar of the racing cars and the famous Spitfire engines take the crowd back to a thrilling era of high-octane action on the circuit.
To add to the feeling of nostalgia; spectators are invited to dress in vintage style, from the glamour of the 1940s and ’50s to the swinging ’60s. You can even book an appointment at Betty’s Salon at the course, where hairdressers will give you that perfect hairstyle to match your outfit!
As well as adults racing hundreds of classic cars from bygone times, the Settrington Cup Race invites children to race in their own miniature pedal-powered Austin J40 cars.
Thrilling bumper-to-bumper racing of some of the most iconic cars of the 20th century is promised, as entrants compete for the coveted motorsport trophies.
London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
As the world’s most historic motoring event, the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run returns on Sunday 6th November for its 126th gathering -British and overseas cars built before 1905 can compete.
Known as the Emancipation Run, the first race took place in 1896 to celebrate the new Locomotives on Highways Act. New laws relaxed speed limits and the earlier strict rules imposed on motor vehicles in the UK.
The race takes place every year, with breaks only during World War II due to petrol rationing and in 2020 because of the Covid pandemic.
In 1968, royal participants included Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco in their 1903 De Dion-Bouton; Queen Elizabeth II was a passenger in a 1900 Daimler in 1971; and Prince Michael of Kent is a regular competitor.
The 2022 60-mile car run begins in Serpentine Road, Hyde Park, London and ends at Madeira Drive, Brighton. Make the most of these thrilling classic car events that are back in full force after two years of Covid disruption and see some of the greatest vintage cars ever to grace the roads.
Value of classic cars
In these challenging times, classic cars are holding their own in investment terms. As the owner of a vintage car, if you need money urgently, you might consider applying for a logbook loan secured on your vehicle. You can carry on motoring while you repay the loan, so you won’t miss out on the pleasure of driving your classic car.
Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help go to moneyhelper.org.uk.
