Classic enthusiasts flocked to the NEC, Birmingham last weekend for the UK’s biggest indoor classic exhibition, scores on the doors say 71,000 people popped in to the NEC for this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show.
The premium dealer showcases were slightly thin on the ground this year, but here was still plenty to see, including the BLOODHOUND SSC show car that welcomed visitors to the premium hall. From Penny Farthings to a Jet-powered boat, the line-up of vehicles was the most diverse ever as the 273 exhibiting clubs celebrated the show’s Heroes and Heroines theme.
Classic Racers were well catered for with a huge presence from the Endurance Rally leaders HERO showcasing their new stand, VSCC, HSCC, PCGB, alongside 270 other enthusaists clubs and registers! Yes, you read that right it was a classic lovers mecca.
One new feature proved extremely popular, the Drive a Classic Car Experience, 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, 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 all proving very popular with visitors.
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.
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. The 1958 Lotus Elise restored by Ant Anstead for a ‘For the Love of Cars’ special to be aired on Sunday 20th November sold for £121,500, while Lancaster Insurance’s restored Mini called ‘Margo’ sold for £12,938, with all proceeds going to Prostate Cancer UK. You can read the full report on the auction here
There were big reveals with Vauxhall presenting a stunning Viva GT that has been a two-year labour of love for the restoration team, whilst Corgi UK unveiled a new model of a Sunbeam Alpine for 2017. Both the Porsche Cars UK and Jaguar Land Rover Classic stands were brimming with breath-taking restorations to delight car fans.
Sporting Bears raised £45,000, which is set to rise once they have counted all the coins. Additional to the ‘Dream Rides’, they also raffled a ride in a £2million Pagani Huayra on Saturday and Sunday. US TV star Jesse McClure also auctioned Dream Rides in his TransAm called Lilly raising £500 towards the Sporting Bears total.
