The Car That Changed The World: it’s a debate that rages whenever a few petrol-heads get together…
There are dozens of pretenders to the throne, all with merit. But the London Classic Car Show – taking place at ExCeL in London’s Docklands from 8-11 January 2015 – might just have the definitive answer.
A special exhibit at the show, curated by Top Gear star James May, will reveal no fewer than 13 cars that he believes had a profound effect on the motor car as we know it today.
Those staking a claim for top honours will be found in what James calls the ‘Hall of Obviousness’. Here there will be half a dozen significant cars including a Mini and a Model T Ford, a Beetle and the Benz Patent Motorwagen, the world’s first car from 1885.
More controversially, James adds a Ford Mustang and a Toyota Prius to that list, pointing out that the Mustang was the original muscle car while the Toyota was the car that led the hybrid revolution.
The next half dozen are more controversial still. The ‘Corridors of Bloody Mindedness’ will include some obscure and some not so obscure cars that were all real pioneers.
“The Hall of Obviousness is exactly that, significant cars that most people would expect to be on a list of cars that changed the world,” said James. “The cars in the Corridors of Bloody Mindedness, on the other hand, are designed to make people think again.
“It’s amazing to think that the car has always been future proof – even the earliest cars, whether powered by petrol, steam or electricity, are still running today.
“Of course, all the cars on show are my choices and are just as likely to start an argument as end one. I’ve already had a complaint from someone that the Austin Seven hasn’t been included. It’s a point of view not without merit, but… tough.”
Tickets are now available from the show’s official website – www.thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk – where early bird discounts reduce the on-the-door standard entry price from £25 to just £22.
Also available are family and group tickets, premium entry packages and tickets to the Preview Evening on the opening night, Thursday 8th January. Premium Tickets, which have limited availability, will give visitors access to The Grand Avenue’s premium enclosure, a drink, complimentary cloakroom, plus a free copy of Octane magazine and the official event handbook.
Leave a Reply