Interclassics Brussels 2024 took place from 15 to 17 November at the Expo in Brussels. This successful classiccar event is now in its ninth edition.
When the gates opened at 10am on Friday, it was already drumming to get in. This last major indoor event of the year shows that interest in the ‘oldtimer’ has not waned. On the contrary, because every year Interclassics Brussels attracts more visitors. This year, no fewer than 23,000 classic-car enthusiasts found their way to Brussels.
Remarkable sales
Let’s go straight to the point. Interclassics runs to some extent on classiccar sales. Of course, this is not the only thing that counts, but the many exhibitors do not come here just to show their beautiful cars to the general public. Each time, they hope to find some interested parties. This is how their booth fees are repaid.
And we think most will be back next year. Never before have more cars changed hands during Interclassics Brussels than in 2024. The large number of ‘sold’ signs was therefore striking. This trade provides oxygen that ensures the survival of Interclassics.
110 years of Maserati
A birthday has to be celebrated, and this December Maserati got to blow out 110 candles. Interclassics is highlighting this anniversary by bringing together more than 20 exclusive models from the Italian manufacturer at the Heysel Palaces.
The cars come from various museums and international private collections, so there are many millions here together.
That Maserati has a sporting DNA we probably shouldn’t say anymore. Though we are happy to list some of their important victories. For instance, Maserati took victories in Formula 1, the Targa Florio, the Indy 500and more recently in FIA GT1 and electric Formula E.
With these victories, they gained visibility that also benefited street-legal cars. In 1963 they launched the Quattroporte, a four-door sporty sedan at that level had not been seen before.
The mythical MC12 that entered the market in 2004 can be called one of the most desirable supercars to this day. With twelve racing versions and only 50 street-legal versions built, it remains an exceptionally rare car that you don’t often get to see.
The expo has come about partly thanks to a close collaboration with the ‘Maserati Owners Club Belgium’ This collaboration allows Interclassics Brussels to show some Maserati’s never before presented to the public. The rather small club has a packed calendar every year. For instance, they maintain a strong connection with the Maserati factory in Modena and regularly organise trips abroad every year.
Autoworld Brussels
Autoworld Brussels draws a presence every year during Interclassics Brussels. They unpacked this stunning Maserati A6GCS/53, which was presented at the Turin Salon in 1954. Now 70 years later, this is still one of the most beautiful Maserati’s ever made. And even the judges noticed this by awarding the car the title of ‘Best of show’.
This year was a great opportunity for Autoworld Brussels to highlight the 110 years of Maserati expo that runs from 19 December to 23 February 2025. You will soon be able to read our report on this on our blog.
Automotive art
There is always plenty of space during Interclassics for car-related art. The largest selection can be found among wall decorations such as paintings and photographs. Sometimes hyper-realistic and sometimes very stylised.
So there is something for everyone. Even if you are looking more for furniture, this is the place to be. Looking for a coffee table with a V12 engine as its base, no problem it can be found.
Automemorabilia
Like art, there is always a nice selection of books, magazines and fun gadgets for sale at these kinds of events. Not infrequently, interest in a particular car starts through a book. Informing yourself well in advance about your dream car can ensure that it remains a dream car and does not become a nightmare.
Apollo Spyder GT 5000
In this year’s ranks of curiosities, we could spot the Apollo Spyder GT 5000. A completely unknown brand to us with yet strikingly beautiful body lines. So this required additional explanation.
And we got that explanation at length on the Mistral Classics stand.
This is an American car that looks like an Italian…. The story goes like this. In the early 1960s, there was a young American engineer called Milt Brown. Milt dreamed of one day building an American sports car that could compete with the big names from Europe like Ferrari, Maserati & Aston Martin.
He moved across the ocean and went to work for the Bristol car manufacturer Connaught. For work, he travelled to Monaco in 1961 for the Grand Prix and got talking to Frank Reisner. Reisner had set up a tuning company called Costruzione Automobili Intermeccanica.
Brown explained his plans to Reisner, who went all in.
Brown designed a tubular sprung chassis while his friend Ron Plescia drew the initial designs for the bodywork. Ron had just graduated from Pasadena’s elite Art Center College of Design. Ron drew inspiration from Ferrari and other Italian sports car manufacturers.
The engine is a primal American Buick V8 that was used in both 3.5 and 4.9 litre versions in the Apollo.
This Spyder is one of 11 Spyders ever produced. Built in 1966, the car’s bodywork was drawn by Franco Scaglione and built at Intermeccanica. A total of five examples are said to still exist, this one features the 4.9-litre engine. The car was restored to the last bolt by Mistral Classics and deservedly walked away with the award for best restoration.
Sim racing
Fancy a tour of the Spa Francorchamps circuit or rather Monza? With the various Sim racing installations, you get an almost real track experience. Consequently, most of the seats were permanently occupied.
Watches by Atelier Jalaper
Timepieces and cars, many of us know it’s a perfect match. Atelier Jalaper consists of two young guys who launched a special project a few years back.
After years of research, they had reached this point, the timepiece should always have a direct link to a mythical car. The first design bears the name ‘Collection DB5’ and was created in 2019 after a crowdfunding to raise funds to start the first production. Four limited runs of 600 pieces each were made, almost all of which, incidentally, were sold in advance. A new watch brand was born ‘Atelier Jalaper’
The second collection bears the name ‘Collection Miura’. That name will ring a bell with any car enthusiast. With the DB5 collection, the dial is made from the bonnet of a DB5. With the Miura collection, it is slightly less specified but comes with 100% guarantee from a Lamborghini Miura.
Our watch specialist Wesley already wrote a detailed article about this timepiece and its makers. You can find more about it via THIS LINK.
Christine Beckers
Women are always heavily outnumbered in motor racing. Sometimes this is completely unjustified and Christine Beckers has proved that over many years. During our visit, Christine was at a stand where the Arrows A8 F1 car was on display. This Arrows belonged to Thiery Boutsen at the time.
And it was not just the Arrows but also the Chevron B23 with which she won the 2-litre class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 50 years ago. The Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV she raced in the Heritage Cup races at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, among others, was also on the stand.
This year, Christine broke the record for being the oldest woman ever (Christine is past 80) to drive a Formula 1 car. This put her in the Guinness Book of records.
During the Interclassics fair, she is also promoting her book ‘La course ou la vie’.
Clubs
At most indoor classiccar events, the brand clubs are numerous. It is no different during this edition of Interclassics.
What did stand out was that the BMW Bavaria Club Belgium pulled out all the stops. The collection of BMW pearls from the thirties you brought with you is not something you see together every day.
So we saw the BMW 328 Roadster, the BMW 327 Cabriolet and the BMW 335 Cabriolet together on the stand.
The BMW 319 Drauz Cabriolet even went on to win ‘Best car of show’ for the clubs. And if that was not enough, they were also voted the most beautiful stand at the clubs.
Behva
The Belgian Historic Vehicle Association or Behva for short is a recognised organisation that aims to preserve, protect and promote historic vehicles, as well as the culture that can be linked to them. They are therefore always present at important classic car events in our country. If you own a classic car yourself, be sure to take a look at their website. Your membership gets you discounts on insurance, among other things.
Racing machines
Every year there is a nice array of race cars to admire during Interclassics. This year, Officina Caira was present with a strikingly beautiful stand featuring four F1 cars. And even though they still look very new, the SAUBER C17-02 shown above is already 26 years old.
The company Officina Caira was founded in 2015 by the two Belgo-Italian brothers Sebastiano and Silvano Caira. Based in the Brussels outskirts, they specialise in restoring F1 cars to their original state and preparing them back for historic races.
Announcement Interclassics Maastricht
Did you miss Interclassics Brussels? Then you will soon get a second chance with Interclassics Maastricht. They have an anniversary edition as it is the 30th edition. Book your tickets now and enjoy the early bird discount.
Conclusion
Actually, we can just copy last year’s conclusion. Interclassics Brussels is in its ninth edition and is a tried and tested concept. Take a few themes that are important enough to attract a lot of people. Get top classic car dealers who are eager to show off their finest cars and success is guaranteed! On to the tenth edition!
