InterClassics Brussels 2025 opened its gates on 14 November (Friday), marking the 10th edition of Belgium’s premium classic car event. The show ran until Sunday, 16 November, offering all the usual spectacles for fans of classic and exotic cars.
The show encompassed three halls, offering about the same surface areas as last year, though less than the golden times before Covid. Such a compact format will not help InterClassics to climb higher among car shows, as others have recovered better by now. The three have still offered several hours of spectacle. As usual at classic car shows, the stages are small but diverse, so you get more wow factor per square meter than at modern car shows.
This year, the organisers celebrated the 10th anniversary of InterClassics Brussels by honouring the most iconic engine configuration of all time: the V12. Over the years, many car manufacturers have chosen the twelve-cylinder configuration as the pinnacle within their line-up. Even if the V12 can be considered as an endangered species these days, automotive history offers an ample range of uses from racing to flagship models.
The organisers did their homework in offering the most complete recollection of V12 history, as the selection covered pre-war mastodons, post-war classics, race cars and modern hypercars. Where they possibly overslept was the scene setting. They used the expression “shining the spotlight” in the invitation, but in fact, lighting is what we missed. Apologies for the photos, we can assure you the spectacle was there with an unforgettable selection of cars you will enjoy more than our cameras… : )
Visitors don’t just get to admire the V12 Supercars, but also drive them virtually. The simracing experience was set up in the same hall, allowing guests to take the virtual steering wheel of the showcased cars and feel the excitement and thrill of these legendary machines.
Officina Caira is a recurring exhibitor at InterClassics, which offered one of the prime spectacles. They run a workshop dedicated to the afterlife of Formula One cars, specialising in recent models and in contact with the racing teams. They also provide a comprehensive set of services encompassing restoration, technical assistance and authenticity certificates to owners of retired Formula One classics.
Their stage is always a highlight, combining the flair of international car shows with classic car racing. This year, the stage celebrated 75 Years of Formula 1, enlisting several early specimens, some familiar from the Dutch racing classics exhibition from InterClassics Maastricht 2023.
The organisers managed to secure the participation of some brands, even if not at the manufacturer level, only via the importer. This is an essential difference from high-end classic car shows, as manufacturer participation ensures exhibits from factory museums as well as decorations that are both expensive and impressive.
InterClassics Brussels never really reached the peak levels of the major classic car shows at their pre-pandemic peak, like the factory stages at 2019 Techno Classica and Retromobile, and we got even less here. Nevertheless, the brand-specific stage of the Volkswagen Group’s importer and national industrialist d’Ieteren usually outshines all others at InterClassic.
This year, local hero D’Ieteren arranged the participation of Porsche, VW, and Skoda, with a pairing of classics with contemporary models, surrounded by traders offering classics from these brands (well, mainly Porsche, of course). Škoda showcased two race cars from two very different eras. Next to them, Volkswagen and the Belgian VW Club honoured the 50th anniversary of the VW Polo. The six specimens exposed evoke the 50 years of history of VW’s iconic small car, one for each generation.
The selection included a Polo L from 1975, a Polo G40 from the second generation, the multicolour Harlekin representing the 3rd generation, the Polo 4 Bluemotion, the Polo R WRC that brought Ogier and his copilot Ingrassia their first four WRC titles and finally the Polo Edition 50 to conclude the timeline.
We also found corners dedicated to the Lotus and Donkervoort brands, represented at the importer level. A few other brands were represented at club level, including Peugeot, which brought along a presidential limo that also won one of the best-of-show prizes.
InterClassic usually secures the participation of museums, and the Belgian national car museum Autoworld is a recurring contributor to the InterClassic events. This year, Autoworld’s stage announced its upcoming winter exhibition, dedicated to Mercedes-Benz – The Story of the Star. After their current exhibition dedicated to classic German tuners, the Mercedes exhibition will last from 19 December 2025 to 22 February 2026.
Autoworld’s stand featured two memorable Mercedes models to illustrate the incoming theme. The Mercedes-Benz 190 EVO II and its DTM version will be part of their next exhibition.
In addition, we spotted the Squadra Abarth & Rally Collection stage, the brand-new museum that showcases the cars of the Abarth Works Museum. The new building was also a candidate for the Museum of the Year award at this year’s Historic Motoring Awards.
This year, Zoute GP and Artcurial also rented a stage. Zoute is a strong contender for the best car event of the year in our books, and its 2022 edition actually won the prestigious Historic Motoring Awards. Artcurial announced its upcoming Renault auction, selling off a few dozen exclusive specimens from the Renault Classic vault.
The event also offered art dealers and simulator corners. The Art Area showcased art pieces inspired by the automotive industry. The artworks are diverse, ranging from paintings to model cars and from visual artworks to car-inspired furniture. Beyond the usual companions of trade fairs, the show introduced a technical programme in which driving schools and students worked on vintage cars live.
As usual, the largest share of cars arrived courtesy of traders. Their stages are usually loaded with impressive classics and exotics, and we encountered plenty of head-turners.
From the hundreds of cars and exhibitors, the event’s 12-member expert jury selected the most beautiful and original cars.
Best Pre-war: 1930 Lagonda 2-litre. Historic Competition Services
Best of 40s & 50s: 1948 Lancia Aprilia, Dockx Rental N.V.
Best of the Sixties: 1967 Toyota 2000GT, Colombo & Co
Best of the Seventies: 1975 Renault Alpine A110 1300, Alphons Ruyl Fine Classic Cars
Best of the Eighties: 1984 Ferrari 328 Spider, Drivecity Sales by Automeetic
Best Youngtimer: 2009 Honda S2000 Ultimate Edition, S200 Parts Europe
BEHVA Best of Show: Peugeot 604
BEHVA Best stand presentation: Jaguar Drivers Club Belgian Section
Best of Show: 1973 Ferrari 365 GTS/4, Gipimotor
Special award from the jury: c
Best Restoration: Jaguar E-type S1, AnMark Classics
Best stand presentation: Officina Caira – 75 years F1
Best motorcycle: 1949 Norton International model 30, Henri’s Classics
Looking at the numbers, the 10th edition of InterClassics Brussels was a resounding success. On Friday, the show recorded its best opening day ever, and in the end, it welcomed nearly 30,000 visitors, representing a 29% increase over last year and a 10% increase over the previous record. The organisers brought together over 800 cars and more than 300 exhibitors at Brussels Expo. Despite a smaller exhibition area, the visitor statistics and the showcased vehicles indicate that the Belgian classic car scene is still going strong.
