It was a weekend of celebrations at this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show as 72,738 enthusiasts gathered to share their passion for all things classic motoring.
I have to say it was a very enjoyable show and it certainly seemed busier than ever. I was surprised to find some cars that were too new to be considered classics but when I did my sums, they did indeed qualify. Clearly it is me that is getting old. A good example are the RS Fords which I didn’t think about being classics but they are and it is important that we remember that these owners are the future of the classic car movement.
Having attended a few of these shows over the years there are a few trends that are worth noting. Most obvious is the increasing presence of modern classics from the 90’s and a good thing too as it brings in the classic car enthusiasts of the future.
Another trend has been the rise of the total restoration/recreations and restomods. Most obvious were the Mini’s but there was a tasty Peugeot 1.9GTI and a few Escorts and Subaru Imprezza’s.
So here is a quick summary of the show, with individual features coming up in the next few months.
Marking ten years of the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership competition, the show kicked off by revealing the winner of the ‘Best of the Best’ competition which had been voted for by the public in the lead up to the show. Out of all the previous winners, it was Colin Fidler and his 1956 Austin A35 that lifted the trophy.
Colin, who won the spring final in 2024, had restored the Austin nicknamed ‘Rusty’ with his dad and brothers in memory of their late uncle who had discovered the car and never got chance to work on it himself.
Whilst previous Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership winners were being recognised, the competition in the autumn final was fiercer than ever. With visitors voting for their favourite out of the 20 cars, it was David Wootton’s 2004 Vauxhall Astra GSi 2.0 Turbo that was crowned winner. Second place went to Mark George’s 2009 Ford Focus RS MkII and Will Willson’s 1964 Ford Cortina MkI came third.
Celebrating 20 years at the NEC, the Meguiar’s Club Showcase saw 14 breathtaking cars come under the expert judges’ scrutiny as every inch was inspected with white gloves. Awarding the highest mark ever given in the competition’s history, it was Stephen Hill’s 1970 Ford Cortina 1600 that received the prestigious title and the crystal trophy.
The Sporting Bears Motor Club raised £44,000 from its popular Dream Rides. The ‘Bears’ gave ten-mile passenger rides to visitors in exchange for a charitable donation. The charities benefiting from this year’s show include Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, Libby Mae’s Little Angels, Caudwell Children, and Jasmine’s Legacy of Dream.
Other show highlights included the new Military Vehicle Trust Commemorative Showcase and Pipercross Modified Car Display. The DadCars Family Zone and Podcast Café returned alongside the Meet the Experts Theatre, hosted by Mike Brewer and YouTubers Mike Fernie, Garage of Luke and I drive a classic, with lively panel discussions and interviews with the likes of car design legend Ian Callum, Richard Hammond, Tiff Needell and Frank Stephenson.
The next Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show will be held at Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 November 2026. Check the website http://www.necclassicmotorshow.com for the latest updates.