MCH Group, the successful organiser behind Baselworld and Art Basel is launching a global salon for the world’s most significant collector cars next year. Named Grand Basel, the automobile fair aims to be “the first global salon for the world’s most important and valuable collector cars of the past, present and future.” With the cars presented in the cultural context of design, architecture and art, Grand Basel addresses not only car collectors but also the general public who are interested automobile aesthetics, technological sophistication, arts and culture.

An avant-garde premiere and media presentation were held in Basel last week, showcasing a few exceptional automotive designs that demonstrate the essence of Grand Basel. Car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro brought his legendary 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Testudo to the venue, joining Andrea Zagato and his Zagato Iso Rivolta Vision Gran Turismo concept to be revealed in the PlayStation game Gran Turismo Sport in October. Designer Rem D. Koolhaas showed his new Lo Res car abstractly re-designed to convert the Lamborghini Countach into a minimalist wedge. Also on display was a 1935 Avions Voisin C25 Aérodyne, in front of a backdrop of Le Corbusier’s “Plan Voisin”.

The first Grand Basel will take place in Basel in September 2018, with further events planned for Miami and Hong Kong.