Classic motor show hits record high

Motoring enthusiasts flocked to the NEC, Birmingham at the weekend for the UK’s biggest indoor classic motoring celebration, setting a new record with around 71,000 people attending.

With 2,500 classic cars and motorcycles on show, spanning one million square feet, the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show offered plenty to see, from a 1869 Tasker B2 ‘Little Giant’ engine to the enormous Bloodhound SSC show car.

Event director, Daniel Nwaokolo said, ‘It has been another amazing year. The clubs continue to astound us with their valued dedication to creating the best displays year after year. Our new features proved extremely popular, especially the Drive a Classic Car Experience, and we have early reports of excellent sales from our traders and dealers. I’d like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and support, and the visitors for making this year’s show the best season finale ever.’

The Meguiar’s Club Showcase gathered 16 stunning cars from club events held across the UK for its grand finale. With an amazing mixture of marques displayed, and it was Andy Nash from Dover in the beautifully restored 1966 Mini Traveller who took the coveted title for 2016.

On the Wheeler Dealers Live Stage with Discovery Channel, host Mike Brewer was joined by Edd China, Ant Anstead, and Fuzz Townshend. There were also appearances by British Racing icon Sir Stirling Moss, Engine Addicts’ Jimmy De Ville, US reality star Jesse McClure, and Richard Noble OBE.

The Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership saw 20 finalists battle it out in a public vote. The eventual winner was James Cribb from Winsford in the 1989 Austin Metro City; second place went Stuart Turp from Barnsley in the 1969 Ford Capri Mk1, whilst Mark McClelland from Kilmarnock, Scotland, in the 1984 Vauxhall Astra GTE took third.

Richard Morley, Divisional Head for Lancaster Insurance, said, ‘This year’s show has once again blown us away and shows the dedication, pride and passion of our industry.’

Silverstone Auctions’ two-day sale delivered an 80% sale rate and total sales of £5.8million which is its best ever NEC sale if not best ever sale. The biggest seller of the auction was a 1957 Porsche 365A T1 Speedster sold for £306,563. Lancaster Insurance’s restored Mini called ‘Margo’ sold for £12,938, with all proceeds going to Prostate Cancer UK.

The 2017 Classic Motor Show will take place on 10-12 November 2017.