After several years of folding the cards, Antwerp welcomed another regional classic car show. Flanders Collection Cars 2024 might bear a new name, but it attends the same venue as the established Antwerp Classic and largely follows in the same footsteps.
As the former shows, Flanders Collection Cars 2024 features two thematic anniversaries with efforts from importers and specialists, as well as from collectors and museums.
The show made use of three exhibition halls and could rely on excellent infrastructure and several service providers ranging from catering to clothing.
Two thematic exhibitions: the 110th anniversary of Maserati and 75 years of Abarth
Maserati celebrates their 100th birthday in 2024, and the organisers brought together the Belgian Maserati Club and Maserati Antwerp as well as private collectors to honour the iconic Italian brand.
The second Italian brand with an anniversary in 2024 was Abarth. The racer and car maker and later Fiat’s performance division was founded 75 years ago. For this stage, Antwerp Collection Cars secured the help of the Abarth Works Museum.
In case you haven’t been there, it is probably the best place to admire the history of this sporty Italian brand.
The second hall opposite the main entrance hosted a stage featuring a selection of Porsche 911 models, from race cars to an art car decorated by Antwerp artist Bart Verheyen.
Half this hall was filled with stages arranged by car Clubs honouring a particular brand or model. This was a traditional strength of Antwerp Classic, and we were glad that Flanders Collection Cars followed this up.
The last and smallest hall offered a varied range of cars for sale. These included stylish young timers and hopeful future classics, as well as some impressive rarities.
Flanders Collection Cars was our first, but we would happily return next year. It is undoubtedly no replacement for the Techno Classica, and honestly, we would have been better off having some of these exhibitors in Essen and then meeting them in Antwerp on a different weekend.
Let’s hope that car events will be better coordinated next year. There should be enough weeks for the top 5-6 shows to avoid each other.
