Press release: InterClassics Maastricht presents 'best of the best' during its 30th-anniversary edition

The organization showcases a fan-selected lineup, featuring iconic vehicles

From Thursday, January 16, to Sunday, January 19, 2025, MECC Maastricht will once again serve as the hub for classic car enthusiasts in the Benelux. Over 800 classic cars, youngtimers, and supercars will be displayed across 35,000 square meters of exhibition space. This year’s edition promises to be extra special, featuring a lineup of over 20 rare cars chosen by fans themselves. Last summer, more than 4,000 people voted for their favorite cars from the past 30 years. Through two rounds of voting, fans selected from over 100 exclusive classic and supercars. The Ferrari 250 SWB emerged as the ultimate favorite. These vehicles come from various museums and private collections. For fans of racing simulators, the Sim Expo adds a unique (digital) dimension to the InterClassics experience. This event has become the leading exhibition for sim racers in the Netherlands, showcasing more than 60 professional simulators from top manufacturers demonstrating the latest hardware and software. Attendees can enjoy live demo

30 Years of InterClassics Maastricht

It’s impossible for classic car enthusiasts to miss: this year marks the 30th anniversary of InterClassics Maastricht. To celebrate, the organization launched two voting rounds last summer, inviting visitors to vote for their favorite cars from past editions. The response was overwhelming, with no less than 4,000 submissions determining a lineup of 21 cars. Among them, the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB was crowned the public’s absolute favorite, garnering 56% of the votes and surpassing the Ford GT40, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, and Amilcar Type C6. This car was also chosen as the event’s poster car, depicted with Maastricht’s Vrijthof in the background.

The exhibition boasts a diverse lineup, including the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ1. With only 112 examples of this lightweight 1964 racing car ever built, it remains one of the most coveted Alfa Romeos. Other racing cars are also featured, such as the Le Mans-winning Jaguar D-Type from the Louwman Museum and an official works Aston Martin DB3. The latter was driven to 16th place by Peter Collins in the 1953 Mille Miglia. Also on display is an ochre-yellow Ford GT40, once raced by Ecurie Belge and active in Le Mans.

Classics Triumph Over Modern Models

The organization noted that, despite the popularity of younger models on the exhibition floor, most votes went to classic cars. For example, the Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder (1957) received 20% more votes than the LaFerrari hypercar (2013–2016). Similarly, the Aston Martin DB5, famously driven by James Bond in Goldfinger, outshined newer models like the Valkyrie and Victor. This trend extended to other brands as well, with the Porsche 911 2.7 RS, Bugatti Type 35, and Mercedes-Benz 300SL winning over their more modern counterparts. All featured cars can be viewed on the InterClassics website.

Sim Expo

For the fifth consecutive year, the Sim Expo will be hosted during InterClassics by Sim Formula Europe. Sim racing gained mainstream attention when professional drivers like Max Verstappen demonstrated that the digital world closely parallels real-life racing. This year’s Sim Expo offers live demonstrations, the chance to test the latest hardware and software, and hands-on driving experiences. Visitors can also attend seminars to learn about the latest developments in sim racing. The program caters to professional sim racers as well as amateurs and beginners. A highlight is the chance to win prizes: every day, a ticket holder will win, culminating on Sunday with the grand prize—a full simulator worth €10,000.

Practical Information
InterClassics Maastricht will take place from Thursday, January 16, to Sunday, January 19, 2025, at MECC Maastricht. The classic car show traditionally attracts over 35,000 buyers and enthusiasts. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased online. Adult tickets are €22 online, compared to €25 at the box office. Children under 8 years old enter for free, while those aged 8 to 15 pay €12.50 at the box office. Prices exclude service fees. For more information, visit www.interclassics.events.