We report back from the NEC in Birmingham as the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show returned for its 41st year
A record turnout of classic fans attended the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show over the weekend of November 7-9, with 72,738 visitors heading to Birmingham’s NEC to check out 3000 classic vehicles spread across hundreds of stands. In truth it felt like more, with the show packed with enthusiasts all weekend amid a wonderful atmosphere.
Over 310 car clubs set out their typically varied stands, with an array of exhibitors, car dealers, industry organisations and traders joining in on the fun. The Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership competition took its usual place as a headline exhibit, and to celebrate the competition’s 10th anniversary, there was also a standalone Best of the Best competition featuring some very special winners from previous years.
Meanwhile, the show staple Meguiar’s Club Showcase competition celebrated 20 years with a collection of some of the shiniest cars at the show, each vying for the trophy after winning regional heats across the country.
The fan-favourite Meet the Experts Theatre saw the Classics World team and various other industry figures take to the stage, while famous faces from YouTube and beyond were on hand to dispense advice and meet fans. And of course, charity passenger rides in exciting cars were provided by the Sporting Bears Motor Club.
This year saw the second-ever round of inductees to the Classic Motor Show’s Hall of Fame, whose separate categories recognise individuals, clubs and cars.
Iconic Auctioneers took up even more of Hall 2 than usual with hundreds of cars spread across two main sales – its Iconic Sale on Saturday and more accessible Classic Sale on Sunday. You can find our highlights on pages 9 and 10.
The next Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show will be held at Birmingham’s NEC on November 6-8, 2026.
Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership
A celebration of the connection between classic cars and their owners, the Pride of Ownership contest saw strong competition from the 20 finalists. Votes were cast by show visitors, with the top three cars announced by Mike Brewer on the Sunday of the show.
Dave Wootton’s 2004 Vauxhall Astra GSi Turbo – the final one built – was rebuilt on his driveway as therapy after losing his grandad, who loved Saturday rides in it. Now pushing 336bhp and featuring show-stopping detailing, the immaculate hatch was voted the winner of this year’s contest
Mark George bought a totally standard 2009 Focus RS after failing to find an Escort Cosworth, then spent years perfecting it. Health setbacks for both Mark and son Alex slowed the build, but the concours-winning 350bhp hatch is now back on the show scene and clinched a second-place finish
Will Wilson bought a 1964 Mk1 Cortina at auction while awaiting his daughter’s birth, the car’s registration coincidentally bearing her initials. Restored to factory spec, it debuted at the 2024 show, won awards, served as Will’s wedding car – and it’s now being kept for his daughter’s big day having won third place
Definitely worth a mention is Jordan Fenton’s 1983 Ford Fiesta ‘Lil Awy’. Bought with teenage savings, it was stripped for a joint Isle of Wight dream with his mum Julie until her cancer diagnosis halted work; after she died in November 2022, Jordan vowed a show-standard tribute. He single-handedly completed a full nut-and-bolt rebuild before unveiling the concours-condition Fiesta at a charity Cars & Coffee event that raised funds for her hospice
Lancaster Insurance Hall of Fame
Introduced last year to celebrate the show’s 40th anniversary, the Hall of Fame returned in 2025 to recognise the people, clubs and cars that have made an impact on the show and the wider classic car world.
This year’s individual inductees were designer Peter Stevens, recognised in the Industry Ambassador category and motoring journalist Danny Hopkins, who earned his place in the Community Ambassador category.
While the Jaguar E-Type was last year’s inaugural entry to the Classic Car category in the Hall of Fame, it was the turn of the Ford Escort in 2025. A prime example was joined by a 4.5-litre Bentley on the Hall of Fame stand – a representative for the Midland Automobile Club that was deservedly recognised in the Motoring Club category.
Best of the Best
Celebrating a decade of the Pride of Ownership contest, the Best of the Best saw five former winners chosen as finalists via thousands of votes to feature pride of place in Hall 1, with the lucky winner crowned on the Saturday.
A March 2024 winner, Colin Fidler came out on top once more with his 1956 Austin A35 once rescued from a front garden by his uncle Robin, and restored in his memory. Clin had made a seven-hour trip from Ayrshire to bring the car to the event.
Meguiar’s Club Showcase
Another returning favourite, the Meguiar’s Club Showcase brought together 14 winners from regional competitions to compete in a final. The standard of the assembled cars was as lofty as ever, making the judges’ job particularly difficult.
This year’s winner was Steve and his 1970 Ford Cortina 1600E (pictured). One of the last examples to roll off the production line, the car was treated to a full restoration after 20 years in storage and the result was enough to claim the trophy – plus plenty of Meguiar’s goodies.
Other finalists included Darren Green and his revived 1994 Jaguar XJS, Scott Turner’s Mini Cooper S, Can Bitrim’s 1970 Ferrari 365/GTB-4 in rare Pino Verde, and a glorious 1981 Morris Ital 1.3 L owned by Brian and Trevor Ford.
Classic American Car of the Year
Now part of the same publishing stable as Classics World, Classic American magazine is a cornerstone of the US car scene in the UK. Its prestigious Car of the Year award was awarded at the show, with six finalists assembled on a stand big enough to accommodate their imposing machines.
The winner, announced on Sunday afternoon, was the 1961 Chrysler Newport of Geoff and Jan Mitchell. Restored to a fine standard and still sporting its original interior, it looked fantastic in the metal.
