Events : Report – InterClassics & TopMobiel Maastricht 2018

Alexander Boucke brings us the the best cars from the first big European classic car show in 2018. What’s your favourite car from Maastricht?

There was no particularly themed special exhibition this year, but instead the central area was devoted to the highlights of the past 24 shows, such as the original Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger, lent by the Louwman Collection.
There was no particularly themed special exhibition this year, but instead the central area was devoted to the highlights of the past 24 shows, such as the original Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger, lent by the Louwman Collection.

The 25th annual InterClassics show in Maastricht marked an early start to the new classic car season for AROnline. Admirers and collectors from BeNeLux and western parts of Germany like this show held in the cosy heated convention centre in Maastricht. From very humble beginnings, a fine show soon emerged, drawing close to 30,000 visitors in recent years.

Sunny and relatively mild weather saw quite a few classic cars hit the road towards the show. Compared to the ugly weather from last year, an increase in visitor numbers was no surprise, but the organisers reported a solid increase of over 10% from the best year, recording close to 34,000 visitors over the long weekend.

The exhibition centre in Maastricht is not of the size of the NEC so, across four halls, a not too large, but usually exquisite display from clubs and dealers can be seen. While most dealers strive to show rare models or cars in outstanding condition, there was something for everyone. Starting at around €8000 for a nicely preserved Simca 1100 or Alfasud, the top end was well into seven figures with cars like Ferrari F40 Competizione or Pininfarina Sergio.

European classic car market watch in Maastricht

While there was no (further) big price hikes noticeable at the top end, it has to be noted that the market for 1970s and ’80s saloon cars is finally leaving the rock bottom, with some commanding prices that finally make restorations viable. Not that many of the offerings on display were in much need of restoration – the amount of unrestored, very low mileage cars of all ages was astonishing and clearly shows the strong trend towards more authentic, unrestored cars being valued more than fresh restorations.

One of our favourites was a 1977 Mini 1000 - featuring AP's great 4-speed autobox and unmarked, all original brown paintwork, yours for around €9000.
One of our favourites was a 1977 Mini 1000 – featuring AP’s great 4-speed autobox and unmarked, all original brown paintwork, yours for around €9000.

Traditional British sports cars like MGB or Triumph TR and Spitfire seem to have fallen out of favour with continental buyers recently, making them very good value for money for those looking to buy one. Is an Austin Healey 3000 really worth four times the money of an MGC in similar condition?

Over €32,000 for a Jaguar XJ40 4 Litre seems rather steep, but considering the example on sale had just covered a mere 4,500km in sunny Italy, comes with a full dealer logbook and just about looked like a brand new car from every angle, it does not seem too unreasonable - if you are really desperate for a brand new XJ40.
Over €32,000 for a Jaguar XJ40 4 Litre seems rather steep, but considering the example on sale had just covered a mere 4,500km in sunny Italy, comes with a full dealer logbook and just about looked like a brand new car from every angle, it does not seem too unreasonable – if you are really desperate for a brand new XJ40.
In the club area, Frits Spiering from Rijkevoort (NL) and his unrestored 1939 Opel Kapitän had just won the best preserved car award of the show. While looking for a wood gasifier at an auto jumble in Oslo, Norway, he was tipped off about the Kapitän being for sale in 1995. Since then, Frits has regularly used the car for short runs in summer and the engine, which has not yet needed a rebuild, is still running smooth and strong.
In the club area, Frits Spiering from Rijkevoort (NL) and his unrestored 1939 Opel Kapitän had just won the best preserved car award of the show. While looking for a wood gasifier at an auto jumble in Oslo, Norway, he was tipped off about the Kapitän being for sale in 1995. Since then, Frits has regularly used the car for short runs in summer and the engine, which has not yet needed a rebuild, is still running smooth and strong.
Alexander Boucke

4 Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing these pictures with us Alexander. I particularly like the Taunus 1.3 coupe (similar to the MK3 Cortina). I remember seeing the odd one of these in the UK many years ago. Also like the brown Mini (I think the colour might be Russet brown but I could be wrong)

      • Yes Dave. I once drove a 1.3 Cortina MkV / 80 Hire car on Shetland and it felt underpowered compared to the 1.6’s I was used to. The Taunus 1.3 Coupe would fit the “sheep in Wolf’s clothes” tag

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