MotoFest Coventry’s Car Weekend’s mix of classic, retro and modern vehicles drives 2021 event success

MotoFest Coventry’s Car Weekend saw hundreds of classic cars on display across the city as this year’s new month-long format was hailed a ‘success’ by organisers of the festival.

For Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th August, the Broadgate area in the centre of the city became a showcase for classic Bentleys, Daimlers, Lotuses and many more famous marques, including some fine examples of the city’s most iconic motoring marvel – the Jaguar e-type.

The car clubs and individual enthusiasts had driven from as far afield as Manchester and the South of England, all drawn to Coventry by the clarion call of MotoFest’s annual homage to the city’s motoring heritage. 

Just a short stroll from the city centre display, those attending the Car Weekend were further rewarded as Coventry marque Riley celebrated its 125-year anniversary with a display of vehicles that showcased its own rich automotive history.

With the city’s iconic Coventry Cathedral providing a wonderfully atmospheric backdrop, the city’s University Square was filled with an array of the coupes, tourers and saloons that help shape Riley’s reputation as one of the city’s most famous car and bike manufacturers.

James Noble, MotoFest Coventry Festival Director, said: “We are delighted to have rounded off this year’s new month-long format with the Car Weekend, a great success and a fitting finale to the festival programme.

“It’s amazing to see so many people travelling from all over the country to visit MotoFest Coventry. One such example is a gentleman from the Gay Classic Car Club, who travelled down from Manchester in his Bentley turbo R on Saturday morning and drove home Saturday evening. He enjoyed the day so much he drove back to Coventry again the next day!

“That’s the attraction of MotoFest Coventry, even in a Covid disrupted year people still make the effort to attend the festival and we thank all of them for their support.

“It’s been a difficult event to stage this year due to the challenging circumstances but our incredible MotoFest team, the City Council and all our sponsors and supporters have helped make it a great success. We will return bigger and better next year, with the Ring Road Sprint Circuit and various arenas all set to return, with new elements to the show that will continue to celebrate the city’s rich, automotive heritage.”

Alongside the classic metal on display in the city, there was also plenty of high octane, turbo charged car fun for the modern, motoring enthusiasts. The Modern Modified, modern classics and modified cars under 30 years old, took part in a Modern Modified Show and Shine competition and the ‘MotoFest Underground’ evening display.

On Sunday, MotoFest celebrated local unsung heroes of the pandemic, as 15 individuals chosen through a public nomination process, took part in a special ‘Heroes Hour’ vehicle parade. The community heroes were taken on a tour of Coventry in a vehicle parade featuring Ecto1 the famous converted American ambulance from the Ghostbusters film escorted by an array of American Police cars and a military vehicle of the type featured in Ghostbusters.  

Following the parade, Ecto1, the American Police cars and military vehicle all parked up as part of the Modern Modified Car display.

MotoFest Coventry is dedicated to the city’s motoring heritage, taking place in 2021 across three weekends in July and August as part of the new MotoFest Month 2021 schedule.

As the largest free motoring festival in the UK, it brings live motorsport, including dynamic motorsport displays, classic and modern vehicles, and the cutting edge of automotive innovation right into the heart of the UK’s Motor City, free for everyone to enjoy across three weekends.