Autotron Classics will be organized again on November 5 and 6! The ideal moment to take a trip with family and friends and to enjoy the shared passion: the classic. You can look and admire, but if you are looking for parts, documentation or even want to buy a 'new old-timer', the Autotron Classics is the place to be.
It is almost impossible to misunderstand. In addition to old-timers that are often for sale, there are various stands with car parts, books and documentation, tools, accessories and miniatures. A wide range of exhibitors from home and abroad will be present in the large halls of the Autotron. Besides seeing and buying many beautiful old-timers, you can also meet other enthusiasts. Sharing knowledge and exchanging experiences is at least as important as looking around. The HAV, Historical Automobile Association, will also be present during the fair. As an association they are known for contributing to the pleasure of all classic car enthusiasts in the Netherlands. That is why the public can admire a beautiful image of the time from the past to the present at the HAV stand this year.
From Drunen to Rosmalen
Autotron Classics is one of the oldest fairs for classic cars. With the Autotron Classics, the Autotron returns to its roots for a long weekend. The Autotron was a car museum that opened in Drunen in 1972 and showed the collection of Max Lips, director of Lips Ship propellers. The collection included the first four-wheel drive car built by Spyker and the last remaining Eysink. After its opening in 1972, the Autotron gradually gained national fame, partly because of the architecture by Anton Pieck. Prominence further increased when the museum moved to its current location in Rosmalen in 1987.
A unique Spyker!
An absolute highlight at this year's show will be the 20 Spyker 28/1907 Double Phaeton in attendance. This unique car belonged to the collection of the aforementioned Max Lips and was later owned by Stijnus Schotte. In 2005 Schotte covered 16.000 kilometers with it because he drove it from Beijing to Paris. His co-pilot was Rob Spyker from New Zealand, also related to the manufacturer at the time. The start was in Beijing on May 15, 2005, and the finish was in Paris on July 13. The route passed through China and the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, Siberia and went via Moscow and St. Petersburg to Paris. It was a unique event that has not been done in the same way since then and will probably never be held again. The fact that a Dutchman experienced this adventure with a Dutch car, makes this copy so valuable. And the Spyker has covered 16.000 kilometers with minimal problems and without significant problems. That is impressive even for a modern car! Owner Stijnus Schotte passed away very sadly in 2015 and the Spyker is now in the possession of the Lips family again. There are only about twenty copies of the Spyker brand left worldwide, so seeing this piece of Dutch automotive cultural heritage is worth a visit to Autotron Classics alone!
Family outing
If you would like to bring your (grand)children to this event, there is good news. There are car-related activities for children during this fair. A fun treasure hunt is being organized in which children can do assignments and searches throughout the building, in order to increase their car knowledge. So feel free to bring the (grand) children! Autotron Classics is open on November 5 and 6 from 10:00 AM to 17:00 PM. Tickets at the door cost €13,50, via the website €12,50.
Childhood memories..
With mom and dad to Lips Autotron in Drunen for the spring or autumn fair. In my opinion (as a roughly 8 year old) huge halls in fairytale style (Anton Piek). Kale with sausage in the restaurant and then with a shuttle bus to an auction hall or something a little further away where even more scrap iron and paper were offered.
Nostalgia. The only time a year that I still come to Autotron (Rosmalen), with the Volvo classic fair at Autotron, I had the idea for years that people were ashamed of the "car museum" history and that they hid far behind all kinds of other events.