This Easter weekend the first edition of the International Amsterdam Motor Show takes place at the RAI in Amsterdam. Because the RAI was also the location for the AutoRAI, the comparison quickly arises. Yet the IAMS is completely different.
When we recently met with co-organizer Sjoerd van Stokkum, he already said: 'The AutoRAI was above all very complete, a picture of everything that was on the market at a time when you didn't see that with a few mouse clicks. We want to do it differently, we mainly want to show enthusiast cars. Maybe you are in the market now, maybe in a while, or maybe you come alone to watch. But in all cases we want you to see something special. "
Original movie cars
To a large extent this has worked out quite well. The definition of 'special' is of course different for everyone. For example, we don't like the cars from The Fast & The Furious that much, but they are there. And it speaks to their advantage that they are the original movie cars, not attic room reconstruction projects. The tuned cars from Novitec are also not really for us. But it is a bit too quick to say that it is 'so' a fair full of ordinary attention organs.
Worth the effort
Even if half of the cars do not appeal to you because you think they are too new, too flashy, too ordinary or otherwise not beautiful, there is still another half left. And the other half is very worthwhile. We can't remember when we saw a Porsche 959, Carrera GT and 918 Spyder standing next to each other - and certainly not in a situation where a Ferrari 288 GTO, F40, F50 and Enzo stood a few meters away.
Cars from the Tulpenrallye were in the spotlight, but also various historic racing cars. There were special BMWs such as the M1, 507, Z8 and 3.0 CSL, but also Lamborghinis such as the Countach and LM002.
Rubber horse
Some cars on the show floor are for sale, others not. A single classic specialist, such as VSOC, has its own stand. The car importers failed (still) in that area. Due to the lack of megalomaniac stands, the RAI even seemed a bit bald. Only Tesla and Vredestein broke through by building a stand. In the case of Vredestein, it was adorned with a striking work of art, namely a horse made up of car tires.
The IAMS is clearly not a replacement for the AutoRAI. Masters of LXRY and the annual Concours d'Élégance Paleis Het Loo don't have to worry either. But you do not hear us complain if it appears that the IAMS is a keeper.
See for yourself? That is still possible up to and including April 2. Tickets can be purchased at the counter or via amsterdammotorshow.com.
Why was this exhibition named after dog and cat food…?