Megaphonics 2025 - 3rd August

[RufRyder]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyones going to Megaphonics this year?. 

I'm considering it as I've missed the last 2 years, not sure my mates will cough up £45 to come with me but worth it for me for some inspiration I think.
 

[hmg]

Been the last 2 years, nicely curated event but doubled in price since then and definitely wasn’t as busy last year. £45 is a bit rich IMO. 

[lindsayhbrown]

I believe the increase in cost is to cover the transport and insurance cost of the rare display cars, I did hear that the value  of the display cars was in excess of £60 million which wouldn’t surprise me

[Jonny Hart]

On 19/06/2025 at 00:04, hmg said:

£45 is a bit rich IMO. 

Compared to what?

IMO Frank has upped the game year on year.  

[Nige]

Always tempted but its always on or around our wedding anniversary so no chance of me ever attending, whatever the entry fee is.

[anglophone1]

Went last year as part of our first DDK meet.

Frankly I was sceptical but it turned out to be way better than expected - I even found Frank Cassidy and told  him so!

I would go again but not for a couple of years…..

c
 

[hmg]

On 21/06/2025 at 13:38, Jonny Hart said:

Compared to what?

IMO Frank has upped the game year on year.  

It’s a nice event and I agree it’s very well done but I personally feel £45pp is pushing it  and having been twice in a row I know it would feel a bit samey for me..Quite happy to be part of the show at £20pp which is what it was a 2 years ago.

I appreciate these things cost a fortune to stage and you will probably see some of the best aircooled cars in the country gathered both in the barns and the car park. 

[Chris T]

I agree, £45 is a bit too much….. I did attend a few years ago and was forced to queue up for best part of an hour to get in. Once at the head of the queue I showed my printed tickets but was told I’d need to download the app and show my tickets in that…!!! I may have used some expletives, no wonder the queue was SO long, I then revved the car and drove on regardless. Yesterday I attended a regular Wednesday morning meet near Wycombe. Free to get in, no booking fees, commitment or queues. 100+ interesting cars and nice coffee shop. Just sayin’ 

[Nige]

Can't comment on cost as I've never been, but comparing it to a local car meet seems a little unfair particular as there is always top drawer Porsche there that you rarely see.  Guess closer comparisons should be drawn with Classics at the Castle, NEC Classic Show, etc.  It probably still is a little spendy, but its pretty unique isn't it?

I do Circuit Des Remparts quite often and that cost about £40 for a whole weekend of racing including booked seating in the stands.  But then it costs a bit more to get there than £45.

 

[Chris T]

I don't think it's an unfair comparison. It's all about how much you enjoyed it. My local show I enjoyed greatly, zero cost, was full of cars I could conceivably afford instead of not allowed to touch. Plus, mine drew much attention amongst those attending! 

[Jonny Hart]

On 24/06/2025 at 22:59, hmg said:

Quite happy to be part of the show at £20pp which is what it was a 2 years ago.

This reminds me of the guy who always tells me what he thinks one of our CDI+ units should retail at ( in his mind it should be £200).  I point out that the cost of buying the parts alone is way more than that and the only way to solve this would be to cost reduce the product to something that effectively is a lesser product, pay staff less or have the product made overseas.  Race to the bottom.

If the show was still £20, it would be a lesser show that 2 years ago and therefore not as good and people would not go.  The endgame is that there is no show at all.

£45 is less than the parking charge for a day in most cities. 

 

[mean in green]

If the parking charge for a day in most cities was £45/head I wonder what the endgame of that would be?

 

[Phill]

4 hours ago, Jonny Hart said:

This reminds me of the guy who always tells me what he thinks one of our CDI+ units should retail at ( in his mind it should be £200).  I point out that the cost of buying the parts alone is way more than that and the only way to solve this would be to cost reduce the product to something that effectively is a lesser product, pay staff less or have the product made overseas.  Race to the bottom.

If the show was still £20, it would be a lesser show that 2 years ago and therefore not as good and people would not go.  The endgame is that there is no show at all.

£45 is less than the parking charge for a day in most cities. 

 

That makes no sense at all. As has been seen on this forum, hiking the price reduces the number of people willing to go. Players at Goodwood was £25 this year which is too much and if it goes up next year I won't be going.

TBH I've had enough at looking at cars that have been built by companies or the builder has been sponsored by a company and they didn't have to worry about cost. They are all a bit "meh" as there was no hard graft put in, no two steps forward one step back. The best cars are the ones that have been built by individuals, in sheds or garages (or tents) by blokes with oil under their fingernails who have used parts that have been sourced as cost effectively as possible.

By far the best car shows are local ones where it's cheap to get in and all the hidden gems come out for the day. They are friendly, fun and the associated stalls, food and drink are cheaper too. And, quite often it's all for charity (insert Smashie and Nicely meme here).

 

[70sThrowback]

I've got an aircooled ticket I can no longer use, so open to offers for those not willing to pay full price. DM me

[SurlySurdi]

On 13/07/2025 at 14:27, Phill said:

That makes no sense at all. As has been seen on this forum, hiking the price reduces the number of people willing to go. Players at Goodwood was £25 this year which is too much and if it goes up next year I won't be going.

TBH I've had enough at looking at cars that have been built by companies or the builder has been sponsored by a company and they didn't have to worry about cost. They are all a bit "meh" as there was no hard graft put in, no two steps forward one step back. The best cars are the ones that have been built by individuals, in sheds or garages (or tents) by blokes with oil under their fingernails who have used parts that have been sourced as cost effectively as possible.

By far the best car shows are local ones where it's cheap to get in and all the hidden gems come out for the day. They are friendly, fun and the associated stalls, food and drink are cheaper too. And, quite often it's all for charity (insert Smashie and Nicely meme here).

 

Its like a good friend of mine said, anyone can buy one of them if you have the cash, however, your car has taken 20 plus years of graft and decisions to put together not forgetting the countless hours you've put into it.

SS

[GimmeShelter]

I "get it" in terms of the complaints about the price hike, particularly the comparisons with local shows, but it's an excellent show, with cars you wouldn't otherwise see anywhere.  This year, we have visited both the Loh Collection (German national car museum) in Dietzhölztal and the French national car museum in Mulhouse.  Frank clearly puts on a world class show and if he wants/needs to charge £45 for that then I'm still willing to stump up.  And I'll probably go over to Jonny's stand and tell him his products are worth every penny!

[Jonny Hart]

I suppose my issue is that old gits like us lose track of what things cost.

A ‘bargain bucket’ from KFC costs £20 and you don’t even get the coleslaw, beans and Vienetta anymore!

Parking in any major town for a day ( my nearest town is Brighton) is £35. 

I just had a quote from a chippy to hang a single door.  £500.   Yep, just one door.   I’ll be doing that myself.

A train ticket to London from under an hour away is at least £50.

£45 doesn’t buy you much   

 

[Phill]

6 hours ago, Jonny Hart said:

I suppose my issue is that old gits like us lose track of what things cost.

A ‘bargain bucket’ from KFC costs £20 and you don’t even get the coleslaw, beans and Vienetta anymore!

Parking in any major town for a day ( my nearest town is Brighton) is £35. 

I just had a quote from a chippy to hang a single door.  £500.   Yep, just one door.   I’ll be doing that myself.

A train ticket to London from under an hour away is at least £50.

£45 doesn’t buy you much   

 

What planet are you living on?

A return train ticket to London for me (under an hour away) is £17.

Parking in Brighton for a day does not cost £35. In fact you can park for free if you are willing to walk a bit or park and get a bus.

You need to find a decent carpenter if thats what you were quoted, clearly they didn't want the job.

I've never had a KFC so I can't comment on that but I know my local fish and chips shop, for two is about £15.

It's not about losing track of what things cost but being aware of the options available, shop around, do some homework, save money 

Churchill Square shopping centre £20 for 8 hours or £28 for 24 hours.

NCP Russell Road £7.95 for 24 hours

[Jonny Hart]

The real one Phil. 🤣

Lucky old you with the train fares.   It’s actually £75 for me a the missus to get to Charing Cross from T Wells peak and cheapest is £54.   I forgot to say 2 tickets  

I would love to know where the £7.95 parking is but it isn’t any NCP in Brighton.   Luckily I have friends with visitor permits who don’t own cars.

Believe me I do not waste money but everything is so much more these days.  I built the house you came to with a budget of £100k and seven years hard graft.   20 years has passed and the same budget would not even build a modest extension.  

p.s.  had a KFC after a 20 year hiatus.   Next one will be in 2045 when it will be £45.

 

[hmg]

It will be interesting to see what the actually numbers are on footfall/tickets sales for the last 2 or 3 years given the price increases ?

I'm sure someone keeps a tally?

Good weather of course will play a part but to me it seemed quieter last year in both the car parks than the year before and it really isn’t quite large or varied enough for a full day out..more like 2 to 3 hours..

I must reiterate it’s a fine event held in a particularly nice  part of the countryside but there is a fine line on everything nowadays..especially when there seem to be more and more car related events popping up every season.

 

 

[GaryH]

"NCP Russell Road £7.95 for 24 hours,"

Russell Road is the most expensive car park in Brighton.

Think you mean £7.95 for one hour ! 😮😆

[GaryH]

Only £45 ? Peasants 😆

I'll be there 😁

[anglophone1]

A mere bagatelle 😎🥂

[SurlySurdi]

Cheap at half the price! 

SS

[anglophone1]

On 19/07/2025 at 19:48, Jonny Hart said:

I suppose my issue is that old gits like us lose track of what things cost.

A ‘bargain bucket’ from KFC costs £20 and you don’t even get the coleslaw, beans and Vienetta anymore!

Parking in any major town for a day ( my nearest town is Brighton) is £35. 

I just had a quote from a chippy to hang a single door.  £500.   Yep, just one door.   I’ll be doing that myself.

A train ticket to London from under an hour away is at least £50.

£45 doesn’t buy you much   

 

Why are many Porsche folks particularly parsimonious? 
Or maybe you get the same from old Alfa and Jag folks??

Probably not Ferrari folk???
c