Classic Car Snobbery!

We all love a classic car show. A sunny Sunday, an early start, sandwiches made and in the cool box, even though we’ll all end up queuing for an overpriced bacon roll regardless. Walking along the rows of classics, stopping to chat to the owners, who are always happy to talk about their cars, normally beaming with pride that someone has taken an interest in their car. It’s what nature intended when summer was created.

What I don’t like is the way expensive cars are given priority over everything else. Why should the owner of a 1970s Ferrari get pride of place parking in the centre after arriving at 11am? When the owner of the immaculate Vauxhall Viva, who was here when the gates opened, is pushed to under the trees at the back or near the Portaloos?

Classic car snobbery is nothing new but in this era of 1980s Fords and Vauxhalls breaking auction records perhaps its time to question the status quo?

A pal of mine recently bought a 1979 MGB, rubber bumper model. It’s not concourse but a presentable classic far more suited to the Sunday gathering than a 2014 Ferrari 458 that rumbles in late and gets parked at the front.

I’m not anti-supercar, they all have their place in the hobby, but who is more important to the hobby? The enthusiast who sought out and maintains their car or the rich guy who bought a Ferrari because he could.

Don’t get me wrong there are lots of genuine enthusiasts who happen to be wealthy and attend for the same reasons we do. What I’m saying is all attendees should be treated equally. We all love our cars, that’s why we’re giving up our Sunday lay in to come along in the first place.

I’m writing this in the first week of April 2026. Have a great show season everyone.

Maximilian James

Maximilian James is a Carcadia contributor, podcaster, Youtuber and collector of classic cars