When it comes to the British motoring world, I’m not the biggest fan of winter.
Except in rare cases (such as piston head December Sunday Service event), the car scene disappears behind closed doors, resting and preparing for the arrival of the new year. The Porsche Club of Great Britain has decided to do the opposite, throwing an end-of-year celebration for the whole family.
After selling out in 2018 and 2019, ‘A Porsche Christmas in Bicester’ returns to the Bicester Heritage site with an eclectic collection of vehicles from various generations of Porsches. Combine that with a festive theme and it’s bound to be a great day, albeit a very cold one.
Upon arrival, I saw carefully organized rows of Porsches, all parked on glistening morning frost.
It took me almost an hour to find the main exhibit, mostly because I made multiple stops while admiring the various models and their unique specs.
A personal favorite is this red Cayman GT4 with contrasting gold accents. Against the cold backdrop, it really stands out again.
Once I finally made my way to the main exhibit area, I was reminded that this wasn’t just a car show; the event perfectly captured the festive spirit. From reindeer to seasonal market stalls and even a rather tall Grinch, organizers have an exhibit not only for oil nuts, but for their families and friends as well.
This also affected the vehicle itself, as upon entering the hanger, attendees were greeted with a gift-wrapped 992 Cabriolet GTS filled with presents.
It didn’t stop there either, because sitting next to it was a 911 SC with a fresh pine tree on the roof.
Among the many vendors selling seasonally themed gifts and treats are some incredible examples from multiple eras of Porsche. There are Turbos, Targas and RS models, just to name a few.
This Carrera RSR in Jäegermeister livery particularly surprised me. For me, it perfectly replicates a storied era of Porsche racing.
After spending too much time browsing and buying the treats inside, my phone rang: “Just to let you know, it’s snowing outside,” A friend told me about it.
If the day didn’t quite capture the spirit of the holiday season, falling snowflakes were the finishing touch. Since it was only a light rain, I figured it was worth taking full advantage of.
Upon stepping out, I immediately realized that hundreds more cars had arrived and were on display.
With my love of motorsport above all else, I was immediately drawn to another RSR, this time wearing the iconic Vaillant livery.
Another hour or so passed as I wandered around the cars on display. From the 964 and 993 to the Cayennes and Boxsters, everyone is showing something real.
This includes a stunning 917K game from ICON Engineering. I feel like they perfectly pay homage to one of the most important sports cars of all time, especially with the addition of the Gulf livery.
A final walk around the courtyard made me very grateful to Porsche Club GB for hosting such a grand event, and to the enthusiasts who came from all over the world to participate in such a grand end-of-year festival.
For me though, it’s back to hibernation now.
Bradley Ingleton
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