The History of the British Motor Show
 Britain led the way in production of luxury cars 01 February 2008 The early days Britain’s first official motor show took place at London’s Crystal Palace, in 1903. The show was the brainchild of Frederick R Simms, who went on to found the Royal Automobile Club (RAC). A respectable 10,000 people attended, even though the car was still a rare sight and few could have afforded one. It was regarded as a spectacle at the cutting edge of technology. In 1905 the show moved across London to Olympia, where it would reside once a year until war broke out. Contrary to what you might expect, there were a huge number of car makers at this time – many of which have long since fallen by the wayside. Names like Alvis, Lanchester and Morris. Shows were cancelled from 1914-18 as the country concentrated on the war effort. The worldwide Great Depression gave organisers low expectations for the motor show’s historical Earls Court preview in 1937. A lack of money had taken its toll on the motor car. As the economy slowly improved, interest in the shows grew again. While 233,463 people attended the 1938 Earls Court show 562,968 flocked to it in 1948. Fantastic fifties and swinging sixties When the British International Motor Show resumed after World War Two it positively boomed. While the economy suffered during the war, engineering prowess and the importance of the motor car were on the up. In 1954 no less than forty new cars made their debut at the show, including the contemporary Jensen 541 with an all plastic body and ability to, “clock a good 100mph,” according to Pathe News. Cars like the Jaguar S-Type with ‘Grace, pace and space’ were central to the success of the British motor industry. And Britain led the way in production of luxury cars. “In the world of cars, the Rolls Royce Phantom 5 is indisputably number one,” says a 1963 Pathe News presenter. The show became a cultural phenomenon, riding a tidal wave of public spending and interest in cars. The move to the Midlands When the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) was completed in the West Midlands, it was deemed the perfect place for the show in a new biennial format. It had huge halls, and was situated with ideal transport links by motorway, train and aeroplane - right in the centre of the nation. And in 1978, when the NEC hosted the British International Motor Show for the first time, the response was overwhelming as nearly one million visitors broke all previous attendance records. Back to London The groundbreaking decision to move back to the capital was made for the 2006 show, after more than 25 years in the Midlands. It took place at the new Excel exhibition centre in London’s Docklands and attracted 415,000 guests. The debut of the BMW M6 Convertible, Aston Martin Rapide concept car and the Jaguar XKR were among its many highlights. There was a strong emphasis on audience enjoyment and participation too, with a specially built ‘Adventure Land’ 4x4 course you could try out yourself, a paddock displaying the latest automotive exotica and even a ‘Dock Rock’ concert featuring live bands. The British International Motor Show 2008 And this year at Excel the show will be carry on the tradition of great British motor shows. As 60 marques and 600 new cars vie for your attention don’t miss the Heritage Parade, Kidz Car Zone, Drift School, Supercar paddock, 4x4 Experience, Motor Theatre and the Motor Show Music Festival. We can also tell you exclusively the Vauxhall Insignia, Lotus Eagle and latest Mazda RX-8 are hotly tipped to be launched at the show. It takes place from July 24th to August 3rd and tickets are now on sale. Click here to visit the British International Motor Show website |
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