Lagos ultimate automobile show displays rare car models

In a move to attract participation in automobile shows, organiser of the Lagos ultimate motors and bikes show, Grill2Grill showcased at least 70 rare models of vehicles brands from private collectors.

Indeed, the show may also have been positioned as a platform that will enhance the status of Lagos as a vibrant megacity in the world, revving up tourism in the state.

Epoch cars such as the MG Midget, produced in 1977, Dodge Challenger, 2008 model, Lotus Elise, which was conceived in 1994, Mercedes 220 SE Coupe convertible, produced in 1965, Volkswagen Beetle are part of the cars that took most visitors off their feet.

Just like the London Classic Car Show, which started in the United Kingdom in 2015 and attracted thousands of attendees, the main bowl of Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos where the show was held recently attracted car lovers to catch glimpse of classic cars, super cars, muscle cars and motorbikes.

Away from the norms in the automotive sector, where latest vehicles are being celebrated, the show presented legendry cars and motorbikes collected from private owners in the state.

For the Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Dapo Otunla, “a well organised and coordinated automobile and bike show such as Grills2Grills can serve as an effective tool for intra- and international tourism, thereby boosting the economy of the host environment.

“The London Classic Car Show began in the United Kingdom in 2015 and attracted over 25,000 attendees. These are numbers that we believe we can challenge and exceed to contribute to the economy of Lagos State and the Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria”.

Though the initiative was lauded by most of the participant but the need to sustain the plan was a major concern. To this, Otunla said: “Nigerians should expect a quality event yearly from Grills2Grills where they will be given a unique platform to see in a collective, a variety of classic, super and muscle cars as well as motorbikes that they will not see on a day to day basis.

He said: “Being a family event, we will also be including a greater variety of instructional activities for the entire family. This year, for the first time in Nigeria, we had a car rigged up with a PS3 gaming system and a 10 square meter external screen for kids. For them, it was as close to a real life driving experience as they will have had and it was a real hit. We will continue to be innovative in similar regards”.

“Our intention is that sooner rather than later, we will see cars coming in from neighbouring countries to be shown at Grills2Grills. There will also be more instructional seminars about cars and bikes as well as greater inclusivity and partnership with others in the automobile and motorbike world,” Otunla said.

He believes that, the fact that a lot of cars have been preserved uniquely over the years clearly state that that culture of maintenance is alive and well in Nigeria.