Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) -The car event ‘Antwerp Classic Car Event’ returns to Antwerp city centre after its lengthy absence for its 13th run. Thousands of vintage vehicles can be seen this weekend at the Cockerillkaai parking lot while the city tour remains available to visitors. The organisers expect more than 15,000 people to attend these events.
The Antwerp Classic Car Event returned to the city centre in its 13th edition after being absent for many years. At Cockerillkaai, visitors can see more than 1,000 classic cars alongside antique and luxurious vehicles that take part in the city tour. The event will draw approximately 15,000 attendees throughout the weekend period.
The Antwerp Classic Car Event moved its location to a site outside Antwerp because of Low Emission Zone (LEZ) rules until changes in regulations enabled it to return to the city centre where vintage cars older than 30 years could access.
“The rules within the Low Emission Zone have been adjusted so that Classics of at least 30 years old are welcome in the city centre again. We are very happy about that,”
Says organizer Marc Reijntjes.
There is an exhibition where car enthusiasts can find inspiration.
“There are more than 1,000 classic cars to admire. There are also many car brands that come to present their latest models and high-tech gadgets. And there is also a market with car-related articles.”
There is also an Antwerp tour.
“170 vintage cars and exclusive sports cars will participate in the 9th Antwerp Classic & GT Tour, a day tour on Saturday or Sunday.”
“The cars will be loaded onto 40 trucks here, which will take them to Vienna,”
Reijntjes continues.
“From there, the 640 participants will start a trip to Saint-Tropez with stops in Ljubljana, San Marino, Lake Como, Portofino and Monaco. That tour is different every year and we come everywhere, in different parts of the world.”
Josse Smeets is one of the participants in the Tour Amical.
“This year I’m participating with my Mercedes from 1985. I’ve been participating for a few years because I enjoy it so much. It’s become my regular group of friends,”
He says.
What is the history of the Antwerp Classic Car event and its relocation?
Every year, in the beginning, the Antwerp Classic Car Event showcased vintage and classic cars inside Antwerp city centre as part of its annual celebration. The 2016 edition was the last one staged in the city centre before organisers moved it because Antwerp established a Low Emission Zone that restricted classic cars which didn’t meet contemporary environmental standards. Organisers redirected the event to Brasschaat before establishing it in Kapellen after many classic cars received entry restrictions at that point.
The authorities failed to grant exemptions to historic vehicles within the framework of their LEZ policy designed to fight air pollution. Vehicle owners and event directors criticised the restrictions since classic cars remain mostly parked on display while maintaining cultural value.
