This August, Royal Tunbridge Wells will once again cement its place in motoring history as it plays host to a truly special celebration—130 years after the UK’s very first motor show was held in the picturesque Kent town. Taking centre stage at this milestone event will be a standout from Mazda UK’s heritage fleet: the legendary 1969 Mazda Cosmo.
Held over the weekend of Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd August, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Festival of Motoring will transform the elegant Georgian promenade of The Pantiles into a living timeline of automotive excellence. More than 20 hand-picked classic cars will be on display, curated in partnership with renowned restorers, specialist collectors, and historic racing teams. The event pays homage to the pioneering spirit of the 1895 Royal Tunbridge Wells Horseless Carriage Exhibition, the first motor show ever held on British soil—a full nine years before London’s Olympia Motor Show.
Among the jewels in the festival’s crown, the Mazda Cosmo stands as a beacon of innovation and Japanese automotive design. First introduced in 1967 and produced in limited numbers until 1972, the Cosmo was Mazda’s first rotary-powered car and a bold statement of engineering ambition. The 1969 example set to appear in Tunbridge Wells is a pristine and rare second-series model, featuring the upgraded 128bhp twin-rotor engine and 5-speed gearbox—cutting-edge technology in its day and still revered by collectors today.
Mazda’s inclusion in this landmark event is especially fitting given the brand’s deep-rooted ties to the Kent town. Long before the formation of Mazda UK in 2001, the company’s national importer operated from Tunbridge Wells throughout the latter part of the 20th century. Today, that legacy endures through Mazda UK’s heritage fleet, which is housed and maintained in the town. This connection was further strengthened earlier this year when local dealership Hendy Group opened a new Mazda showroom at Kingstanding Business Park—bringing the brand’s presence full circle.
Presented in association with Octane Magazine, the festival promises an atmospheric weekend of automotive admiration and local pride. The Pantiles, with its tree-lined walkways and vibrant community backdrop, offers the ideal setting for a celebration of mechanical artistry and motoring milestones. From rare British classics to groundbreaking international icons like the Cosmo, the event is a fitting tribute to 130 years of progress since Tunbridge Wells first welcomed curious onlookers to witness the dawn of the motor age.
For enthusiasts and families alike, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Festival of Motoring offers an unmissable opportunity to reflect on the past, admire the present, and celebrate a town that helped ignite the UK’s passion for the automobile.
Event Dates:
Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd August 2025
Location: The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Special Feature: 1969 Mazda Cosmo from Mazda UK’s heritage fleet
