C&SC is calling on enthusiasts to help to oppose London Mayor Boris Johnson's proposal to ban classic cars from the centre of the capital. Not only would the Ultra Low Emissions Zone exclude classics from the Congestion Charge Zone, it could spell disaster for events such as the Regent Street Motor Show.
As it stands no exemptions to the draft proposal have been hinted at or confirmed and there are fears that classic cars could bear the brunt of legislation aimed at other vehicles.
Classic & Sports Car's Group Editor James Elliott said: "When we revealed the threat a few days ago, it was greeted with outcry from enthusiasts so we are taking positive action.
"Even though there are some 800,000 pre-1981 classic cars in the UK, their contribution to pollution is so tiny it is virtually immeasurable yet they will be just as affected by this as the heavily polluting diesel vehicles that this is intending to curb.
"Classic cars constitute a £4.5billion business employing nearly 30,000 people in the UK and there are many dealers and support industries within the proposed area that could be driven out of business, as well as owners living within the zone who would find driving their own cherished car outlawed overnight. We are not talking about old bangers here, but pieces of history that have been lovingly preserved for generations.
"Plus, the prospect of an event such as the Brighton Run, immortalised in the film Genevieve, being stopped completely or forced to find an alternative start point after more than a century is unthinkable.
