London Classic Car Show 2018: Our 10 favourite cars

Our pick from this weekend's motoring extravaganza

The London Classic Car Show took over London’s Docklands this weekend (16-18 February), with a selection of incredible classics carrying out demonstration runs along the event’s Grand Avenue.

And that wasn’t all – club stands and dealer displays were bursting with stunning machines, with more than 700 on show throughout the event.

Here, in no particular order, is a list of the cars that caught our attention.

1. Triumph TR2 record car

The TR Register showed off one of the most historically significant TR2s, the recently restored Jabbeke record car, which set a speed record along the famed Belgian highway in 1953.

2. Gumpert Apollo

It may not be the most expensive car at the show, but this 2007 Gumpert Apollo was certainly one of the rarest.

The model shot to fame after beating the Bugatti Veyron and Pagani Zonda around the Top Gear test track; no surprise, given its 700bhp power output and sprint time 0-60mph in just 3 seconds.

3. Ford Fiesta RS Turbo

Old-school classic car fans may sniff at a Ford Fiesta, but this RS Turbo converted most disbelievers once they got up close.

To say it was clean would be a massive understatement – this diminutive hatch must have been one of the most period-correct exhibits at the show.

4. Lotus Cortina

A Lotus Cortina is a special car at the best of times, but this star of the Philip Glenister-curated Getaway Cars feature at the London Classic Car Show is more remarkable still.

Why? Well it was the very car used by Bruce Reynolds while he was casing the Great Train Robbery.

5. Subaru Impreza WRC

Rally fans went mad for ‘P12 WRC’, Colin McRae’s Prodrive-developed 1997 rally car.

The Scot campaigned the Impreza at the Acropolis Rally and 1000 Lakes before winning the Network Q RAC Rally. It was to be his final Rally GB win.

6. Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ Spider

Even among the many beautiful Ferraris on display, this 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ Spider from London dealer Joe Macari stood out.

As well as being a stunning example of the breed, it also had movie provenance, having played a role in The Gumball Rally.

7. Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth

The 60th anniversary of the British Touring Car Championship was celebrated in fine style with the showing of Peter Sturgeon’s Bastos-liveried 1988 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth.

The car was raced in period by Gianfranco Brancatelli, who scored podium finishes with it at the Nürburgring and Dijon.

8. Jaguar XJ220

The Jaguar XJ220 still has the power to captivate, as this example proved throughout the course of the event.

Originally supplied to Japan before returning to the UK unused, it has just 3600 miles on the clock as a result and is one of just 69 configured in right-hand drive.

It duly took centre stage on the Duncan Hamilton stand, where its condition wowed the crowds.

9. Williams-Renault FW14B

Despite all the priceless coach-built beauties and rare modern classics on show, our inner 10-year-old was most excited by the sight of Nigel Mansell’s Championship-winning Williams-Renault FW14B.

The car was the star turn in a display dedicated to the racer’s life behind the wheel, which also included the Williams-Honda FW11 that he campaigned throughout the 1987 season.

10. Aston Martin DB6

How refreshing to see an Aston Martin DB6 finished in something other than DB5-aping Silver Birch!

This stunning Bahama Yellow Vantage saloon took pride of place on the Aston Martin Works stand alongside a ’63 DB5.

You’d have to have deep pockets though: it was being advertised for £695,000.