08.02.2010 ALFA ROMEO'S CENTENARY HONOURED AT INTERCLASSICS & TOPMOBIEL IN MAASTRICT

INTERCLASSICS & TOPMOBIEL 2010 - ALFA ROMEO
INTERCLASSICS & TOPMOBIEL 2010 - ALFA ROMEO
INTERCLASSICS & TOPMOBIEL 2010 - ALFA ROMEO

This year's edition of the InterClassics & TopMobiel vintage car event took place at the MECC in Maastricht. The event was a major success, with over 16,000 visitors. Car lovers from the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium visited the exhibition and congress centre in Maastricht. The main theme this year – 100 years of Alfa Romeo - was greatly appreciated by both visitors and exhibitors alike.

Around 70 Alfa Romeos were displayed on a red carpet over 300 metres long that covered the entire length of the exhibition space. This very special collection of Alfa models, which was put together in collaboration with the Alfa Romeo Owners Club of the Netherlands (SCARB), was the common theme of the InterClassics & TopMobiel exhibition. Visitors commented that the exhibition was very unique. "It is almost impossible to find an exhibition like this anywhere, certainly in the Netherlands; it is quite special that they managed to gather all these Alfa Romeo models together," were amongst the retorts. Visitors and exhibitors also had very positive things to say about the installation and implementation of the fair. "The installation is at an international level and the quality is improving every year," summed up the spontaneous reactions of numerous visitors.

The Topshops pavilion at TopMobiel added that extra cachet to the fair. Renowned couturiers were commissioned to design a creation inspired by an exclusive car. These dream cars and the accompanying magnificent creations were exhibited in the Topshops pavilion. There were also various fashion shows that presented the creations of the Topshops participants with flair.

In addition to the various expositions, at which visitors were able to daydream about the cars, clothes and other lifestyle products that were beyond many people’s budgets, there were also plenty of opportunities for purchasing affordable vintage and vintage-related products. Besides the automobiles themselves, a range of new and used parts, model cars, clothing, accessories, books, magazines and many more items were also sold at the fair.

The vintage clubs were also well represented. Like every other year, the FEHAC once again assembled a jury to choose "The Best Club Stand of Show" and "The Best Club Car of Show." The jury, which included Wolter Gratema, Peter Wilbers, Jean-Marie Schmit, John Pronker, Bert Pronk and Cees Peereboom, came to the unanimous decision that the Limburgse Oldtimer Tref’s stand had the best installation. A well-earned second place was awarded to the Austin Healey club, while the third place this year went to Ivac, which took home the first-place prize last year.

As for "The Best Club Car of Show," the jury members also reached a unanimous decision: the first place was awarded to the Panhard Dyna Junior from 1953; in second place was the Simca 8 convertible from 1953 and the third prize went to the Ford 12 M coupé from 1965. Once again this year, the jury expressed its appreciation for the increasing trend in the quality of the fair and the dedication with which the club stands had been installed.
 

Report & Photos: Interclassics & Topmobiel / © 2010 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed