Korea will finally host a large-scale classic car exhibition.
The 2025 Seoul Classic Car Show, jointly hosted by the Korea Classic Car Association and COEX and organized by Autocar Korea, will be held Oct. 24-26 at the outdoor lawn plaza of COEX.
Titled "Cars in history meet Seoul," it is the nation's first large-scale classic car exhibition that revisits the history and culture of automobiles through notable and rare models by era.
For this exhibition, on Oct. 13 the Korea Classic Car Association (KCCA, chairman Jeong Jae-shin), an official member country member of the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA), signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with COEX Co. (COEX, CEO Cho Sang-hyun) and the Korea Automobile Journalists Association (KAJA, chairman Choi Dae-yeol) to promote classic car culture in Korea.
The three organizations agreed to work together to carry out various projects, including planning and operating classic car exhibitions and cultural events, expanding domestic and international network exchanges, and preservation, research and data discovery.
Legendary models from global automakers head toward downtown Seoul.
A 1937 Cadillac V12 Series 85 Town Cabriolet represents the golden age of American luxury cars, and a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster, the successor to the gullwing coupe, remains an iconic presence in the classic sports car market.
The 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL, which established BMW's high-performance image and won the European touring car championship six times, is nicknamed the "Batmobile," and the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray is an American sports car icon notable for its uniquely applied "split window" rear glass.
The 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750SS, with Zagato bodywork and a supercharged engine, shows the essence of Italian sports cars, and the 1967 Citroën DS 20, named the "goddess," symbolizes French pride with its graceful design and innovative suspension.
Memorable domestic classic models will also be featured. The Hyundai Pony wagon is a derivative that expanded the practicality of the Pony, the first indigenous car model, and symbolizes Korea's automobile export legend. The Kia Brisa S-1000 was a leading figure of the 1970s compact car era, appeared in the film Taxi Driver and remains in the public's memory, and the Saehan Gemini, a product of the World Car Project, carries both rarity and historical significance. The Ssangyong Callista is also a valuable model as the country's first two-seat roadster, with only 78 units produced.
This exhibition goes beyond showing past notable cars and also introduces forward-looking efforts.
Spigen, a company specializing in imported car maintenance and sales, will exhibit a "restomod" showcasing ways to use classic cars in the electrified era. Restomods, which combine classic bodies with modern powertrains and electric systems, present new possibilities where the aesthetic value of classic cars coexists with contemporary technology. The exhibition was planned to serve as a bridge connecting the past, present and future.
In addition, classic motorbikes such as the FN 285T, Harley-Davidson WLA and Monet-Goyon Starlette will be displayed in variety, creating a "living automobile museum" in downtown Seoul. The exhibition will include a total of 19 vehicles: 15 cars and 4 motorbikes.
Song Mi-young, planning director of the Korea Classic Car Association, said, "This event shines a light on the technologies and designs implemented by cars of different eras and the historical values they contain. Classic cars, which hold stories of people and industry of their time, can be regarded as artistic heritage that fully captures the evolution of technology and emotion. We hope this exhibition becomes a catalyst that draws an open perspective and interest in automobile culture among future generations."
As the exhibition takes place on the COEX outdoor lawn plaza in the heart of K-culture, it can be remembered as a special cultural experience not only for car enthusiasts but also for general visitors and families.
The Seoul Classic Car Show opening ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 24 (Fri), and exhibition viewing is free every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the event period.
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