It’s nearly that time again! Here’s all you need to know about the 2026 Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham
The big one is back! The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show takes place at Birmingham’s NEC on November 13-15, and will once again see the classic car world gather for its end-of-season party.
Making up the UK’s biggest indoor classic car show, seven halls will host more than 3000 cars and bikes – enough to cover 16 football pitches. Add more than 320 clubs, 450-plus specialist traders and around 600 vehicles for sale, and you have a show that rewards anyone willing to wear comfortable shoes.
With so much to see, it pays to pick your priorities: Saturday for auction? Friday for the trade stands? Any day for simply getting lost among the club stand? However you plan it, this is the classic car calendar’s grand finale – join us as we reveal the must-see highlights.
Meet the debutants
Clubs are the heart of the Classic Motor Show, and 2026 will be no exception. A whopping 320 will be present – the world’s largest gathering of vehicle clubs under one roof. Whatever badge gets your engine going, you’ll find it on proud display, and the owners standing alongside are usually delighted to share restoration stories and ownership tips. This year, they’ll also be going all out to satisfy the ‘Debutants’ theme of this year’s event, which challenges clubs to display vehicles that have never appeared at the show before.
Expect some cracking displays, including Maserati Club UK marking 100 years since the Tipo 26 won its class on its very first outing in 1926 with a special showcase of the marque’s racing heritage. Elsewhere, the Jaguar Drivers’ Club will celebrate the XK8 and mighty XJ220, while the Cortina Mk3 Club will host an all-GXL line-up. The Land Rover Series 2 Club is set to arrive with seven debutants, and Club Audi celebrates three anniversaries with cars that are all new to the show. In addition, the 750 Motor Club adds competition-inspired classics, including a BMW E30 M3.
But it’s not just clubs. The Debutants theme will start at the very front of Hall 5, with a curated display of cars never seen at the show before, including the Hillman Avenger Tiger and Rover Mini Cooper Sport press cars. There will also be extremely rare cars such as the Hotchkiss-Grégoire Chapron Berline, and 1937 Ford V8 boat tail racer imported from Argentina. They will be joined by other firsts including Dr Ed Barsley who is attempting to become the first person to circumnavigate the globe in an electric classic car. He has converted his father’s 1955 Series 1 Land Rover to fully electric in readiness for the challenge.
YouTube Village and Modifed Zone
Two brand-new features show how the classic scene is evolving. The YouTube Village brings five very different corners of classic car YouTube to the NEC: JayEmm on Cars, Tasty Classics, Driven by Meg, Garage of Luke and idriveaclassic. Expect barn finds, rescued scrappers, questionable purchases and plenty of enthusiasm – plus the chance to meet the creators in person.
Meanwhile, the Zircotec Modified Zone takes over Hall 5 with 15 standout builds, all based on cars made before 2006. Highlights include Chris Denn’s ‘Purist’ modified classic Mini, Arran Newman’s 175bhp 1994 Peugeot 106, Andy Cowley’s HKS-liveried 1983 Chevrolet C10 and Andy Murrell’s custom Ford Consul. Aftermarket specialists will also be on hand for anyone inspired to start a project of their own.
Meet the experts
Wheeler Dealers’ Mike Brewer marks his 20th visit to the show by lifting the lid on the classic car trade and sharing tips on bagging the best deal. He will be joined by fellow small screen stars such as Derek Matthewson from Bangers & Cash and Big Irv from Classic Car Kings, plus Dream Car Fixers’ Will Trickett and Sheldon Nichols. Trickett will also be joined by his Flipping Bangers co-star, Gus Gregory.
They will all be interviewed in the Meet the Experts Theatre, which will also host plenty of panels over the weekend, and will also involve the Classics World team. Topics covered will include High Mileage Heroes, Motoring Guilty Pleasures, what is a classic car in 2026, and which marques should be brought back from the dead! There’s plenty of opportunities for visitors to ask questions, get an autograph, buy some merchandise and grab a selfie.
Restoration Workshop
If you need some hands-on advice from top mechanics and restorers, then the Restoration Workshop is the ideal place if your own project has stalled. The experts from Gilbert Michaelson will hold regular demonstrations on lead loading, paint correction and body panels, as well as giving you the chance to ask for advice and tips.
Podcast Cafe
Making a return after two successful years is the Podcast Lounge, where visitors can watch live recordings of their favourite motoring podcasts. Grab a brew and front-row seats to live recordings of your favourite motoring podcasts. Regulars such as Car Chum, My Dad’s Car, Classic World, Classic Car Weekly, and Passenger Seat are joined by newcomers Wheels and Deals, The PodCars-T, and Flipping Bangers.
The Sporting Bears
Don’t miss the Sporting Bears’ Dream Rides Garage, a show favourite hosted by the club renowned for its charity fundraising. Over 100 cars will be available for visitors to secure a 10-mile passenger ride in exchange for a donation to one of the club’s deserving charities. From traditional British classics to supercars, the hardest part will be picking which car to go in!
Family Zone
Younger visitors aren’t forgotten. The Family Zone keeps children entertained with classic car colouring and treasure hunts – a fun way to fuel the next generation’s passion for motoring. Smaller enthusiasts can get behind the wheel with the Mini Rovers, while petrolheads of all ages can trying their luck on the giant Scalextric track. Plus, to celebrate the anniversary of Pixar’s Cars movie, expect to see a version of ‘Lightening McQueen’ you’ve never seen before.
Meguiars Club Showcase
For the best of the best, head to the Meguiar’s Club Showcase, which shines a spotlight on the cream of the UK club scene over the past year. Each finalist arrives having already achieved something special, representing the very best of their club and the wider motoring community.
The result is an extraordinary collection of vehicles, each with its own character, history and story to tell. Highlights span decades and marques, from a 1949 Jaguar MkV saloon and 1960 Triumph Italia 2000 to a 1959 Edsel Ranger and 1964 Saab Short Nose. British favourites include a late MGB, a 1998 Mini Paul Smith Edition and a 2005 MG ZS, while a 1983 Ford Escort RS1600i, a 1987 Ferrari 328 GTB and a 1997 Mazda MX-5 1.8iS also feature. Completing the line up is German trip comprising a 2002 BMW E46 M3, a 1993 Mercedes-Benz SL280 and a 1970 Volkswagen Beetle. The winner will be revealed at 12pm on Sunday.
Pride of Ownership
Look out for the 20 first-timers in the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership Autumn Final, with each owner hoping their car will win your vote. The cars range from the 1940s to the 2000s, with plenty in between.
British classics are well represented, including Nigel Codd’s 1966 Morris Minor, Pete Crompton’s 1962 Hillman Super Minx and Nick Seaton’s 1977 Triumph Dolomite Sprint, alongside two very different Minis: Rod Martin’s 1968 Mini Sprint and Gary Price’s 2003 MINI Cooper. Sporting highlights include Tony Lamb’s 1972 Datsun 240Z, Rav Dhuna’s 1973 Ford Capri MkIII 3.1 GXL, Martin Smith’s 1969 Dodge Charger, Simon Spurrell’s 1982 Jaguar XJ-S Lister and Andy Elkin’s 1990 Renault 5 GT Turbo.
Franc Gregori’s 1982 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole is another potential star, while Japanese cars will be showcased by Dave Swallow’s 2002 Subaru Impreza and Stacey Clark’s 1989 Japanese-import Mazda MX-5 NS. The BMW contingent will include Heath Ellis’s 2005 Z4 MkI Roadster and Verity Leadner’s 2005 E46 330Ci Convertible M Sport, and there’s a fellow German in the shape of Richard Hodnett’s 1990 Volkswagen Golf Mk2.
Rounding out the varied line-up are Gary Mitchell’s 1948 Jaguar MkIV, Jacek Pawlikowski’s 1956 Renault Juvaquatre Break R1200, Nick Simpson’s 1975 Land Rover Series III fire engine and Steve Taylor’s modified 1986 Sherpa Freight Rover.
The winner and two runners-up will be announced at 2.30pm on Sunday by Wheeler Dealers presenter Mike Brewer.
Iconic Auctioneers
Iconic Auctioneers returns for its 15th year as official auction partner with a Super Sale of more than 500 vehicles, plus motorcycles and automobilia. Even if you’re not bidding, the auction hall offers some of the best theatre at the show.
The Iconic Sale on Saturday 14 November includes three no-reserve cars from Jeremy Clarkson’s personal collection: the 1982 Lancia Montecarlo Spider he drove in the final episode of The Grand Tour, the 1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 from the ‘Well Aged Scotch’ episode and the 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V from ‘Lochdown’. Other lots include Harry Metcalfe’s Jaguar XE SV Project 8, a 1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante that is one of just three bespoke examples (estimated at £350,000–£400,000), and a Ford Focus RS Red Edition showing just nine delivery miles.
The Classic Sale follows on Sunday, and will also include an eclectic mix of classics, with more than 130 entries set to cross the block.
Hall of Fame
Launched to mark the show’s 40th anniversary in 2024, the Hall of Fame honours an industry ambassador, a community ambassador, a classic car and a motoring club each year. Previous inductees include the Jaguar E-Type, the Ford Escort, Wheeler Dealers’ Mike Brewer and the Jowett Car Club. This year’s classic car shortlist pits the Lotus Esprit against the Ferrari F40 and the Jensen Interceptor – a debate guaranteed to fuel plenty of conversations – while the nominees for industry ambassador include our very own Phil Weeden.
NEC Classic Motor Show essential information
The event takes place at Birmingham’s NEC (B40 1NT) from November 13-15. Ticket prices range from £37.25 to £86.25, with multi-day and family options available, and parking can be pre-booked. Birmingham International station sits right next to the venue.
You can purchase advance tickets online before midnight on Thursday November 12, 2026. See necclassicmotorshow.com
Opening hours:
Friday November 13: 10.00am – 6.00pm
Saturday November 14: 9.00am – 6.00pm
Sunday November 15: 9.00am – 5.00pm
