DESPITE the cost of living crisis and values of classic cars on a downward trend the numbers attending the Classic Car & Restoration Show at Birmingham’s NEC were up again this year.
Some 72,738 petrol heads – including yours truly and a few like-minded pals – attended the three-day Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show where many of the 330-plus clubs on display did live restoration work on their vehicles.
Some fantastically restored examples were on display from Austin Allegros to vintage Rolls Royce cars plus film and TV star vehicles.
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. 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 the car himself.
With visitors voting for their favourite out of the 20 cars on the hallowed carpet, 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 amazing cars come under the expert judges’ scrutiny. 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.
Other show highlights included the new Military Vehicle Trust Commemorative Showcase and Pipercross Modified Car Display.
The ‘Dad Cars’ 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 panel discussions and interviews with car design legend Ian Callum, TV’s Richard Hammond, Tiff Needell and Frank Stephenson. Tributes were also paid to TV motoring presenter Quentin Willson who died recently.
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 www.necclassicmotorshow.com for the latest updates.
By Motoring Editor Steve Howarth
