Birmingham, 11 – 13 January 2008
The Piston Heads show was run alongside the Autosport International show between 11 – 13 January,
occupying halls 11 and 12 of the exhibition centre, with visitors to either show getting free access to the
other. Although it was on a much smaller scale than the main racing car show, it offered a fine selection
of unusual and exotic cars for enthusiasts to appreciate.
Autocar magazine, the oldest motoring magazine in the world, presented the Supercar paddock, with an
extensive display of exotic machinery rarely seen on the road. Amongst the offerings were a Ford GT, a
number of Ferraris including a 612 Scaglietti, a 575 SuperAmerica and an Enzo, a Koenigsegg, and a
Lamborghini Gallardo. Other stands around the halls featured further exotica, like an Audi R8, a
Mercedes McLaren SLR, A Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, a lurid orange Pagani Zonda and a bright yellow
Porsche Carrera GT.
There were also displays dedicated to track day cars, of both the type for track use only, and of those that
can be driven to and from the track, whilst still providing an exhilarating experience on the circuit, and to
performance tuned road cars, featuring highly modified Porsches, high end Japanese market GT cars
and the like. A further area was dedicated to the Piston Heads members car market and display, where
a variety of performance cars were offered for sale, where visitors could view a prospective purchase
without having to trek across the country only to find that the object of their desire was “not quite as
described”.
The after market accessory and modification aspect of the hobby was not forgotten, with the likes of
Kahn with their bespoke service of individualising prestigious vehicles to provide clients with their own
unique form of transport. Apart from their “Project Kahn” interpretations on vehicles like Aston Martin,
Bentley, Ferrari Mercedes McLaren SLR and range Rover, they also offer a wide range of Italian made
alloy wheels to suit Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, and Range Rover, to
name but a few. Manufacturers were also represented by Lotus, and Lamborghini through the local
dealer with an impressive stand, plus BMW through the national car club. All in all, the show provided a
truly eclectic range of offerings for the performance car enthusiast.
Keith Bluemel
01/2008
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