The Classic Motor Show returned to the NEC in Birmingham on November 8–10 with a bang as it celebrated its 40th anniversary
The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show attracted 71,520 visitors over the weekend of 8-10 November, 2024 in a welcome display of continued enthusiasm for classic cars as the show celebrated its 40th anniversary.
A record-setting 338 car clubs formed the enthusiast-centric backbone of the show, bolstered by the usual vast array of exhibitors, car dealers and trade stands throughout the expansive halls of the NEC in Birmingham.
Famous faces, experts and commenters — including the Classics World team — were on hand to discuss the industry and offer advice at the Meet the Experts Theatre, while the returning Pride of Ownership and Meguiars Club Showcase stands saw huge interest and interaction from keen enthusiasts.
Passenger rides in various exciting classics and supercars came courtesy of the Sporting Bears Motor Club, with all proceeds going to children’s charities.
The next Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show will be held at Birmingham’s NEC on 7–9 November, 2025.
Here’s what else you missed!
Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership
Intended as an annual celebration of the connection between classic cars and their owners, the Pride of Ownership contest reached its conclusion at the show as per tradition. Finalists included two-time winner Paul Clappison and his 2002 Porsche Boxster S, 2023 winner Tahmid Haque and his 1986 Koenig BMW 635, and stunt driver Russ Swift with his 1937 SS Jaguar 100.
Clive Thompson brought his 1977 MG Midget – complete with accompanying story of long-lost love and a happy reunion – while Ed Straw’s 1972 ADD Nova brought some drama to the stand. Nick Loizou had the oldest car in the competition, a 1930 Austin 16/6 Pass and Joyce Coupe – the only surviving example of its kind.
John Hemming took us back to the 1990s with his Dimma-kitted Renault Clio 16v, while the 1980s were ably represented by a pair of stunning Fords – Stuart Turp’s 1983 Capri 2.0S and Carl Evanson’s 1984 Orion Ghia. A 1985 Lotus Esprit, fully restored over four years and owned by Dr Nathan Manghat joined the 80s contingent at the sportier end of the spectrum.
Ashley Moulds’ 1994 Peugeot 106 Rallye was among the best we’d ever seen, while the 2003 BMW 530d of Ship Dudley was the newest modern classic in the running.
Other finalists included Simon Adams with his 1969 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600S, Roy Gaskill’s 1959 Vauxhall PA Cresta, Stephen Berry’s 1967 Autobianchi van, Jim Angliss’ 1963 Ford Anglia, a modified Volvo 240DL owned by Thomas Staniforth and the fantastic 1976 Rolls-Royce Camargue of Stephen Prevett.
After votes from show visitors were counted, the winner was Richard Stacey and his immaculate 1967 Ford Mustang, its restoration the product of 3500 hours of labour. Richard was presented with his trophy by Wheeler Dealers’ Mike Brewer in a ceremony at the end of the weekend. Second place went to Paul Clappinson and third to Tahmid Haque.
Lancaster Insurance Hall of Fame
Incorporated into the show for the first time in celebration of its 40th anniversary, the Hall of Fame recognised the people, clubs and cars that have made their mark on the show and its community over the years. Organisers revealed a list of potential inductees before the show for two of four categories, with the other two confirmed revealed in Hall 2 at the show.
The first-ever Motoring Club category saw four organisations shortlisted according to strict criteria, with the Jowett Car Club earning its spot thanks in part to its status as the world’s oldest single-marque car club at 101 years old.
The Classic Car category also had its nominees revealed before the show, focusing on models that have made a significant contribution to motoring, either in design, functional ingenuity, technical advancement, cultural impact, motorsport achievements or longevity in the industry. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was the iconic Jaguar E-type that took the honours.
David Whale of the FBHVC was recognised as Industry Ambassador, with Mike Brewer joining him as the Hall of Fame’s first-ever Community Ambassador.
Meguiars Club Showcase
Another staple of the show, the Meguiars Club Showcase brings together 14 winners from regional competitions to compete in a best-of-the-best final at the show in Hall 1. Unlike a traditional concours competition, owners are encouraged to use and enjoy their cars – but standards remain high.
This year’s winner was Andrew Nash, whose 1958 Fiat Nuova 500N wowed the crowds and judges alike. Imported from Portugal in a sorry state but with matching numbers, Andrew unlocked his car’s potential with a detailed restoration that included trips to Italy to source parts.
Other finalists included Karen Simpson-Brown and her 1972 Ford Capri, James and Susan Thetherton’s 1996 Jaguar XJS Celebration and a 1981 Austin Mini Metro Base owned by Colin Corke.
Our highlights
The incredible condition of this 1984 Honda Prelude is explained by a former life in rust-free South Africa and a mileage of just 42,000. It could be yours for £9950 from dealer Red 7
It’s a fair bet that this many C5s haven’t been seen together in one place since the mid 1980s. The 40th anniversary display by the Sinclair C5 Owners’ Club included a coin-operated C5 and a Lotus prototype
Another South African import was this unusually solid 1983 Sierra, the non-UK ‘GLE’ spec providing Cologne 2.3 V6 and automatic box
Jaguar purists had better look away but Graham Slater’s custom Mk7 was beautifully done. Modifications included conversion to two-door, roof chop and a 490bhp supercharged Jaguar V8 with seven-speed automatic
Mitsubishi may be gone from the UK but the enthusiasm is as strong as ever and the Colt Car Club displayed this superb Celeste alongside an equally mint Galant
The MR2 Drivers’ Club put on a great display of all four generations of the MR2
What are the chances of finding these rare Granada parts to complete that restoration? The autojumble never fails to surprise
The Nissan 300C club has rebranded itself as the Datsun Nissan Classic Car Club but still put on a great display of 300C and Laurel models. This is Andrew Davis’s 1986 300C which unbelievably was bought for just £200 back in 2008 after it had spent 10 years in storage
Pete Whitford’s modified Chevette saloon will polarise opinion for sure but with a Lotus twin cam it must be great fun
Corsair pedal car was a great touch on the roof of… what else but a Corsair?
No, it’s not a car but it is fascinating… Dodge Spacevan TV detector van still had the original triangulation equipment inside. Owner Martin Maltas has completely restored the vehicle since acquiring it back in 2004
Another commercial which caught our eye was this Sherpa – or rather, Freight Rover 200. The owner added the Birmingham Post & Mail livery as his father used to drive these vans for the paper back in the day
The Citroën Car Club showed this early flat twin Visa…
…complete with the wacky original ‘pod’ dashboard controls
Paul Filbey’s Matra Murena, an unusually sharp example of the three-abreast coupe which was converted to right-hand drive when new
Morris Traveller’s travel-stained appearance is explained by the California plates. One of very few Minors sold in the USA in the 1950s, it’s owned by Tom Rymes of New Hampshire and has already completed a tour of Germany and the Netherlands while visiting Europe
A fitting exhibit for this year’s 50th anniversary of the Golf, Jon Leonard’s striking 1975 LS
