Classics and supercars combine for first sold-out Scramble of 2024

Bicester Heritage kickstarted 2024 with a spectacular sell-out Scramble on Sunday 7 January, as more than 6500 braved the cold for the first major event of the year.

The latest supercars and hypercars rubbed shoulders with century old classics in true Scramble style, from Aston Martin Valkyries to Model Ts and Austin Sevens.

The ‘High Smileage Club’ formed the central display, featuring drivers’ cars from the history of the car. A vast, very original 1929 Bentley 6½ litre Sedanca De Ville settled in beside an early Lotus Elise, while two Land Rover Series shared the lawn with two Austin Sevens. Other main display cars included rally icons such as a Lancia Integrale and Subaru Impreza, an original Mini and Mazda MX-5, plus new machinery from BMW UK and Porsche UK in the shape of an M3 CS and 911 Dakar.

Elsewhere, in the Motor Transport Yard two Gordon Murray Automotive T.50s took centre stage with Sports Purpose, and Singer Vehicle Design presented the stunning Turbo Study at the Tanker Sheds.

Alpine’s partnership with Bicester Motion brought four examples of the acclaimed sports car, allowing attendees to try the model for size, while Collecting Cars introduced its Private Sales platform with a Grand Prix-winning Williams FW13B and Footman James put the spotlight on an Aston Martin DB9.

Polestar gave the Synergy design concept a UK public bow and two of the three finalists in the Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards ‘Restoration’ returned to the scene of their judging. The eventual winner, the Bugatti Type 57S owned by Lord Bamford and restored by Clark & Carter Restorations and Ivan Dutton Ltd, was joined by the Amilcar by Walter Heale Historic Motor Car Workshop.

Liz Pilling, director of events at Bicester Motion, said: “There is something very special about a Scramble in January and this event was no different. We could hardly have wished for a better way to start the year, with a great crowd of hardy enthusiasts and their families. The sheer variety on show was remarkable.

“It was our biggest January event since 2021, with an increased attendance of around 10%, and the hard work has already begun for the next on Sunday 21 April.”

Tickets the Scramble on Sunday 21 April are available now, and more than half have sold in the first 24 hours of being on sale. Click here to book