Purists may disagree but I believe the most interesting classic car shows are those that include other forms of vintage transport. Perhaps the best among them is the annual Geneva Classics at PalExpo in Geneva, Switzerland. In case you're not familiar with the name, I should explain that PalExpo is the giant display hall where the Geneva Auto Show is held each year. It is superbly located adjacent to the international airport and enjoys fast rail transport into town from the station underneath. (We North Americans should be so fortunate!) This year's Geneva Classics celebrated five forms of historic transport: cars, motorcycles, aircraft, boats, and trains. Okay, there was just one of the latter but the arrival of an historic railway train at the PalExpo station made it complete. Classic Driver magazine has a lovely story about the event.

Editor Steve Wakefield writes that "the display of Bugattis, for example (and we're talking real Bugattis here - Types 35, 35B, 35/51 and 43 Grand Sport), all retained the red and white livery of Switzerland in which they competed. The racing boats, dotted throughout the hall, have competed on various lakes in Switzerland. Most imposing of these was the 'Lady Trix', a 100-year-old racing sailboat with a mast 11m high, towering above the automotive exhibits. The aircraft, spread between the hall and the adjoining airport tarmac, also provided dramatic contrast, and included a 1919 Blériot, 1934 de Havilland Moth Major, 1937 Lockheed Electra (having recently completed its role in the film 'Amelia', the story of Amelia Earhart), 1939 L-12 Electra Junior and 1951 D.H.C. T.Mk20 Chipmunk." Steve also reminds the fortunate few of how easy it is for Londoners to fly into Geneva from Luton, spend a few hours at the show, take the tram into town from the PalExpo station, enjoy a great dinner, then fly back, all in one day.

[Photo of Lockheed Electra: Classic Driver]