A pride of prowling Jaguars will be one of the many highlights at next month’s Illinois Route 66 Regent Street Motor Show in central London on Saturday 3 November. Instagram
The presence of iconic models from one of Britain’s most loved automotive marques is sure to be a huge crowd-pleaser at the country’s most popular free-to-view motor show, a Royal Automobile Club event which last year drew more than half a million visitors to the capital’s famous thoroughfare, pedestrianised between Piccadilly and Oxford Circuses.
Organised by the ever-enthusiastic Jaguar Drivers’ Club, the special display will showcase some major milestones in Jaguar’s illustrious history with an eye-catching collection of the company’s significant models from bygone eras.
It is exactly 70 years since the seminal XK120 sportscar was first launched at the British Motor Show at Earl’s Court – just a stone’s throw from Regent Street. With an affordable price tag, stunning drop-top styling plus Jaguar’s all-new six-cylinder engine endowing the two-seater roadster with a fantastic turn of speed, the trailblazing XK120 put Jaguar on the world map.
It was clearly a busy year for the Coventry Cats at the famous Browns Lane factory as the Mark V was also introduced at Earl’s Court in 1948 – a four-door executive saloon which immediately proved popular with businessmen and even heads of state. Like the XK120, it similarly boasted a sporting pedigree, notably when scoring a Monte Carlo Rally podium in 1951.
Dazzling examples of both septuagenarians will be on Regent Street to mark their respective sapphire anniversaries, where they will be rubbing bumpers with a number of XJ saloons. First unveiled 50 years ago in 1968, the XJ has been Jaguar’s flagship model for the past five decades, offering a wonderful mix of performance, space, style and luxury. Models illustrating the XJ’s long-running evolution will add yet another head-turning dimension to this very special showcase.
Now firmly established as one of the must-attend highlights on the calendars of both car fans and Londoners, the esteemed Illinois Route 66 Regent Street Motor Show takes place on the eve of the annual Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox and provides visitors with the rare opportunity to see the full kaleidoscope of automotive history.
From the dawn of motoring, the show includes more than 100 of the remarkable pre-1905 horseless carriages as they prepare for their pilgrimage from capital to coast. Adding to the pageant, many of the drivers and passengers appear in period dress. The presence of the Jaguar anniversary collection will be one of the many features on the closed street, bringing the motoring story more up-to-date. Others include state-of-the-art electric cars from Renault, a display of modern day supercars and the latest motorbikes from Triumph.
The Illinois Route 66 Regent Street Motor Show – open from 10:30 to 16:00 – is a key event in the week-long London Motor Week run by the Royal Automobile Club.
Editor’s Notes:
About the Regent Street Motor Show:
The annual Regent Street Motor Show is a unique free-to-view London motor show held from 10.30am to 4pm on Saturday 3 November, previewing the famous Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox with the Veteran Car Concours d’Elegance. The event takes place on a pedestrianised Regent Street from Piccadilly to Oxford Circuses and attracted an unprecedented 524,382 visitors in 2017.
For more details and all the latest news, visit the official Regent Street Motor Show website: www.regentstreetmotorshow.com
About London Motor Week:
The Regent Street Motor Show is an integral part of the Royal Automobile Club’s London Motor Week, which in 2018 will incorporate the following events:
- The Royal Automobile Club Motoring Lectures
- The Art of Motoring exhibition at the Royal Automobile Club
- Dewar Trophy Presentation Lunch
- Motoring Book of the Year Awards
- Royal Automobile Club Motoring Forum
- Illinois Route 66 Regent Street Motor Show
- Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox
About Regent Street:
London’s premier lifestyle destination, Regent Street and its adjoining streets stand out as the home of flagships and firsts. From global retailers such as Burberry, Coach, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Kate Spade and Tory Burch, to the very best in beauty, wellbeing and fitness from Kiehl’s and DryBy to Psycle and Asics. Some of the city’s most coveted food and drink destinations can be found on Regent Street and nearby, including dining hot spots Heddon Street and Swallow Street. From Gordon Ramsay’s Heddon Street Kitchen and exclusive three Michelin star The Araki, to fine dining Italian at Frescobaldi, casual dining at Thomas’s Cafe at Burberry and British small plates at Magpie.
Visit RegentStreetOnline.com for more information.
About Illinois:
The state of Illinois lies in the heart of America’s Midwest and offers visitors a true taste of Americana. Famous for the cosmopolitan city of Chicago, which is the start of iconic Route 66, Illinois is a diverse state offering visitors incredible travel opportunities. For those venturing beyond the gateway of Chicago, must-sees include Presidential Springfield for its Abraham Lincoln heritage and the quaint river town of Galena, famous for its winery, Galena Cellars, and its brick-fronted boutique shopping.
Visitors journeying along Route 66 into southern Illinois should take a detour into the Shawnee National Forest which is home to hiking trails, ziplines, horseback tours and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail that features 11 award-winning wineries spread along 25 miles of scenic highway.
Throughout the state, Illinois Made produce is available for visitors to sample. In Galena, stop by the Blaum Bros Distillery Co to try a range of fine spirits, while in Springfield, visit the Incredibly Delicious bakery and café which is set in a 19th-century mansion. Along the Great River Road lie the picturesque Mississippi Riverside towns of Grafton and Alton where you can taste Illinois’ only 100% certified organic craft beer at Old Bakery Beer.
Direct flights from London to Chicago operate 450+ per week with airlines including British Airways, American Airlines and Norwegian. Book through tour operators including Trailfinders (www.trailfinders.com), TravelPlanners (www.travelplanners.co.uk) and My America Holiday (www.myamericaholiday.co.uk).
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism manages industry efforts that result in sustainable and significant economic and quality-of-life benefits for Illinois residents.
SOURCE: Jaguar