Classic Car Shows Around the World
If you’re a classic car enthusiast like many of us here at Searles are, you’ve likely attended or shown off your ride at more than one classic car show on Vancouver Island. The Father’s Day Seaside Cruizers Show ‘n’ Shine in Parksville, the Brits on the Beach Car Show in Ladysmith, and the Rock & Roll for Little Souls Car Show in Saanich always bring out huge crowds of car lovers and their families.
While we love checking out what the locals own, venturing to other parts of the world to see what everyone else is into when it comes to classic cars is always a fascinating adventure.
6 of the Biggest and Best Classic Car Shows Around the World:
- Ponoma Swap Meet and Classic Car Show
Southern California, United States
October 18, 2015
The Ponoma Swap Meet and Classic Car Show is a one-day-only event hosted by George Cross & Sons and is known as the West Coast’s largest antique auto, Corvette, Porsche, street rod and Volkswagen swap meet and classic car show. We can’t argue with that. Event organizers for this show, where many of the restored classic vehicles on display are for sale, say you have got to get there early to experience it all. Bring some good walking shoes!
- Retromobile
Paris, France
February 3-7, 2016
While most people visit Paris for its rich history, many culinary delights, and the Eifel Tower, we visit this cultural city for the cars! Retromobile is a huge international event in Paris that keeps growing year after year. Along with more than 500 cars on display, you’ll be able to meet art gallery owners, international car club organizers, scale model vendors, bodywork restorers and coachbuilders. It’s not the largest show on the list, but, hey, it’s Paris!
- Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show
Birmingham, United Kingdom
November 13-15, 2015
This huge show in the UK offers the perfect mix of current classics, and the “youngtimers” that event organizers consider to be the next generation of classic motors. Prepare to debate what makes a classic a classic, where the definition blurs in Birmingham. At the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, you’ll find a wide range of “traditional British classics, vintage motors, historic motorsport, European exotica, and American muscle.” What does that mean? Bold beauties such as the Ferrari 250 GT SWB or the Alfa Romeo Spider, along with everything from Austins, Astons, Maseratis, Porsches, Lamborghinis, and more.
- Power Big Meet
Västerås, Sweden
July 7-9, 2016
Who would have thought the “Biggest, Baddest American Car Show on the Planet” would be held in Sweden? The Power Big Meet, now in its 39th year, is a three-day event that draws 20,000 vehicles and visitors from approximately 50 countries. To get a feel for how large this show actually is, just take a look at the aerial views of the show grounds at the Johannisberg Airfield. Power Big Meet is your long-distance chance to see thousands of American classics in one area, including street rods, cruisers, muscle cars, Corvettes, Mustangs, Camaros, and more.
- Woodward Dream Cruise
Detroit, Michigan, United States
August 20, 2016
Taking it back to North America, it actually does get bigger than the Power Big Meet with the Woodward Dream Cruise classic car event. With attendance exceeding 1 million people and more than 40,000 cars involved, this show can safely call itself the world’s largest one-day automotive show. Yep, one day, folks! This event is more of a parade than a show for fans of rare, exotic rides, but the energy here is always huge.
- Fleetwood Country Cruize-In
London, Ontario, Canada
July 2016
The Fleetwood Country Cruize-In is one of Canada’s largest outdoor car shows that draws proud classic car owners from far and wide. Last year, more than 12,000 car owners participated and celebrated their rides. The founder of the show, Steve Plunkett, who collects Cadillacs, is happy to host this show on his personal property. Now that’s passion!
Canadian Automotive Museum
Oshawa, Ontario
Year-round
For an honourable mention, we wanted to highlight the fact that beyond breathtaking classic car shows around the world, many beauties are permanently on display in classic car museums, offering tons of info and a quieter, less-crowded viewing area for car enthusiasts who have a couple of hours to kill during their next family reunion.
The Canadian Automotive Museum is located just east of Toronto and is home to the “most significant collection of Canadian cars in the world.” Highlights include a 1983 DeLorean DMC-12 (a classic in many people’s eyes) and a 1909 Ford Model T, perhaps almost too old to be a classic?
These are just some of the best classic car shows around the world that come to mind. We’d love to hear about the classic car shows you’ve attended. And if any of them led to you owning a classic of your own, feel free to bring it down to the shop. Our Classic Car Department LOVE to check it out! Thinking about exhibiting at an upcoming show? Give us a call to learn how Searles can help get your car into show ‘n’ shine condition!
