Before you can even consider whether your cars are worthy of the world stage, you have to be able to ask yourself some really hard questions.
You have to be critical of your own collection. You have to have done your homework, and you have to be able to stand up and be counted amongst the world’s great collectors.
Let me preface this article by saying that there is no requirement whatsoever for you to have to spend inordinate amounts of money in order to have a car of significance. The beautiful thing about the classic car world is that there are marques which pique the interest, have stunning history, provenance, desirability and originality, and do not cost the earth.
If you do want to compete on the world stage though, you have to be prepared to face the scrutiny that comes with such a prestigious undertaking. When you are ready to do so, then you can begin the process of applying to be part of world-class events. Should you be accepted, you can then enjoy being part of an exclusive and rarefied club of car owners who are able to show off or compete on an unprecedented level.
Scrutiny
Part and parcel of being on the world stage is being prepared for your vehicle to be under world-class scrutiny. Far from being a pressurised situation, this is actually a wonderful opportunity for you to rub shoulders with hundreds of like-minded individuals who will all be taking a keen interest in your car.
It is a chance for you to flex your classic-car muscles and field questions that will range from a general interest in you personally and your journey into this world, as well as the examination of minute details on your automobile that you can answer with all the integrity and honesty that you can.
The relationships that you can forge at these events are second to none. You will be in the shop window as it were, as a collector of some significance with a car that is worthy of the scrutiny. Fellow enthusiasts (as well as the judging panel or scrutineers) will pose questions about authenticity, performance, procurement, restoration and as many other car-related questions as you can possibly imagine.
Cost
There are, of course, some costs involved in bringing your car to a world-class event.
Not least, your transportation costs could be significant, as these are international events and it certainly will not be possible to drive your classic car door-to-door. You may also have to pay for accommodation and getting your car show/race ready. There could also be additional, unforeseen expenses here and there.
These costs are not supposed to be prohibitive; however, as a classic car owner, you should understand that this is the world stage and not a local turn-up-and-stand-around event. You may want to invest in some additional media to complement your car as you do not want all and sundry rifling through the history, and you may not have time to present your car to every single onlooker.
Subsequently, you could have some pamphlets or postcards made that provide the public with some more information on the story of your car.
Not Just Ferraris, Porsches and Rolls….
The world of motoring history, and now classic cars, is littered with extraordinary cars that do not cost a fortune. Perfectly formed examples from the likes of Ford, Alfa Romeo, Fiat or Volkswagen, as well as domestic cars from the world over, can all be contenders on the world stage.
The key to these cars lies in the combination of originality and rarity as well as unusual history or provenance. I have seen examples at almost every show I have been to. Furthermore, world-class shows are always on the look-out for cars like this to help round off exhibits and broaden the horizons of collectors and the visiting public.
There may well be specific criteria that a show is looking for. There may be an anniversary being celebrated, which opens the doors to a host of new classic marques that can enter. There may be a specific time period that is of interest at a particular show, or there might just be a category or class that the show deems worthy of further exploration and exhibits.
Keeping an eye on entry requirements and categories is something that I love to do as shows begin their planning. It is a great way to whet the appetite for a show and to see if any of my network are interested in participating.
