Events during the COVID-19 pandemic

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We are interested in finding out how various classic car businesses around the world have been adapting to the current situation and whether they expect some of the changes they have implemented will be permanent. Classics at the Palace is an event company that organises the Concours d’Elegance at the Royal Paleis Soestdijk in the Netherlands. The pictures show the 2019 edition. Everything was ready for this year’s event which unfortunately had to be cancelled. Jan-Peter Nijmeijers, one of the owners of the company and organiser gave an insight into the business and told us about the alternatives.

“Because of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic we had to cancel the 2nd Concours d’Elegance Paleis Soestdijk which was planned for the last weekend of August. As a result of this, we sadly had to terminate the contract of two staff members. We came up with an alternative event and are now organising a Tour d’Elegance with a royal picnic on the lawn of the Paleis Soestdijk. It will be a closed event. Only 65 places are available – to allow the event to take place.

We have many ideas for other events but not all of them are achievable. At this moment we are also organising another smaller event - the revival of the Spykerrit of 1920 and working on a book about the history of Concours d ’Elegances in the Netherlands.

Looking at the long term, we hope to organise the Concours d ’Elegance on the 28th and 29th of August 2021. The event site is at a large park of 100.000m2, with plenty of save meters for all the beautiful cars and visitors!”

We also asked Jan-Peter what he thinks about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the classic car industry as a whole? He answered “This is a really difficult question; I think there will be a good market for original and high-class automobiles! Prices will get lower…. But if you do your marketing well and ask the right price, then there will be business.” And concluded “For most of the people classic cars are a very enjoyable hobby, so forget the COVID misery, drive your car on the wonderful roads and don’t forget to visit classic car events….”

We would very much like to thank Jan-Peter Nijmeijers for his cooperation.

Would you also like to tell us about your classic car company (auction house, classic car dealer, car museum, parts seller, workshop etc) during the current COVID-19 pandemic? Please send an e-mail to office@prewarcar.com and we will get in contact with you.

See here the article about The restoration and maintenance of vintage and veteran cars - during the COVID-19 pandemic and the article about Classic Car Clubs - during the COVID-19 pandemic that we published earlier.

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