'Seoul Classic Car Show' wraps up with crowds, engines and live music

The Korea Classic Car Association announced Monday that the 2026 Seoul Classic Car Show concluded successfully after a three-day run from Friday through Sunday at the COEX east lawn in Samseong-dong, Seoul.

Co-hosted by the Korea Classic Car Association and COEX and organized by Autocar Korea, the event drew steady crowds throughout the weekend following its opening ceremony on Friday. Visitors ranged from car enthusiasts to couples, families and foreign tourists.

Among the standout exhibits, a 1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet turned heads with its sweeping lines, its elegance undiminished after more than 90 years. The Cord L-29, which pioneered front-wheel drive at a time when the technology was virtually unheard of, drew admiring looks for its combination of engineering originality and sculptural beauty.

The show offered more than just viewing. A 1962 Ford Thunderbird Roadster gave visitors a rare chance to sit behind the wheel of an American classic convertible, and long queues formed as people waited to climb in for a photograph.

A live engine startup of a 1974 Porsche 911 RSR also generated considerable excitement. As the engine roared to life with a thunderous exhaust note, crowds pressed in around the car.

A Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing drew similarly strong interest, its upward-opening doors and graceful proportions cementing its reputation as one of the most iconic sports cars in automotive history. Rounding out the lineup were a Ford Model A, a Chevrolet Corvette Callaway, a Porsche 356A Speedster and an Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS — a cross-section of eras and nationalities that traced the evolution of automotive design and technology.

On the weekend, a brass band and a jazz ensemble performed on the lawn. A "My Classic Car" exhibition, in which private owners introduced their vehicles and the stories behind them, also drew attention.

This year's Seoul Classic Car Show expanded its scope to include academic and policy discussions. On the opening day, Friday, the country's first classic car academic forum was held at COEX Summit Hall, where experts exchanged views on automotive design, restoration, preservation and regulatory challenges, exploring a path forward for classic car culture in Korea.

Meanwhile, the Korea Classic Car Association recently signed an MOU with the Korea Automotive Journalists Association, COEX and Samsung Fire Mobility Museum to promote classic car culture in Korea.