The official photo gallery for this year's Resto Show at the NEC is now up and running! Just a few photos showing setup so far and it's already looking like our best stand yet :-)
​
Photos will be added as the show kicks off, so keep checking back for much more yet to come.

by Admin

We asked for your classics to display at the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show with Discovery at the NEC this March, and you didnt disappoint us! Quite a number of members were willing to make the considerable commitment to support us over the 3 days at the show and offered some very special motors indeed.

First and foremost - a very big and genuine thanks from the Admin team and particularly from Events Guru Gar for all the offers. We really do appreciate it - if we could, we would take every motor you offered, but of course the stand can only accommodate so many, so the sad part of all this is that we have to disappoint some of you. Please try again next time - everything offered was eminently suitable and would have done us proud.

Our selection approach was to go for the exhibits we think are most likely to attract the interest of the show-going public and to show the club in the best possible light. Secondly we felt it would be preferable to display motors we havent had on our stand before.

​So after much wailing and gnashing of teeth, here they are ...

Easy! Hall 5, beside the Sporting Bears Dream Rides Arena.

Competition is hotter than ever this year and the shortlist in our category includes some great clubs:

• ado16.info
• BMW Car Club GB
• Enthusiasts of British Motor Vehicles Built Before 1985
• Gay Classic Car Group
• Lotus Drivers Club
• MG Car Club
• National Street Rod Association
• ​The 1100 Club

Wish us luck, folks - we'll let you know how we get on when the awards are announced at this year's Resto Show at the NEC in March. The full list of categories and shortlisted clubs is here.

Thanks to our very own Energizer Bunny (aka Gar), we now have this fabulous custom-designed wristwatch available to order.

Featuring the club logo on a large 45 mm face with polished chrome surround, it has a quartz movement, genuine leather strap (up to 8" length) and comes with a 12 month manufacturer's warranty. To make it extra special, each watch comes in a presentation box that is engraved with a unique serial number and an optional personalised message.

Watches will be manufactured to order so delivery will be a minimum of 2 weeks from the date orders are placed - longer for non-UK delivery addresses.

Lancaster Car Club Manager Dave Youngs says:
​
"Lancaster offers up to 25% discount for club members and can arrange a whole range of policy extras that you'd expect such as agreed value and breakdown cover.  We  aim to take a realistic view when it comes to modifications, so do give us a try. We welcome feedback - good or bad - to help us to develop the scheme going forward

If you do try us for a quote, please use the bespoke telephone number 01480 400903 and let us know that the introduction has come from the club. Quote discount code DISC15 for an additional £15 discount on any new policy with Lancaster

​We make a payment to the club for each and every policy sold as a result of their introduction which helps keep the club going. I'll stick my head round the door every now and again and pick up any queries that crop up. If you'd like for me to arrange a callback for a quote then i'm happy to sort it - I can be contacted by email dave.youngs@lancasterinsurance.co.uk"

Official Press Release

Everyone knows that car clubs are a massive part of the classic car community. With that being said, we're excited to be inviting 170 brilliant clubs to Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery, in 2019. That's more clubs than ever, which means even more stunning classic cars on display - no enthusiast can complain at that!

The motors showcased will represent marques from all over the world so where better to see them, all in one place, as you take a wander down memory lane. Clubs joining us include (and definitely not limited to): Lotus Drivers Club (3-060), The Italian Job (3-158), The Toyota Enthusiast Club (5-495) and Ford RS Owners Club (5-640).

​Not only will members be on hand to answer your questions, many will be working on their very own restoration projects live across the weekend too. Gain that extra vision of how to maintain/restore your car, and with friendly members on hand to share their wealth of knowledge, you're guaranteed to learn a thing or two.

​Explore the wide range of car clubs and motors that will be at the show by visiting our exhibitor list page.

We asked for your best photos of your British classics to grace our 2019 club calendar, and the response was fantastic!

We realised very early on that choosing just 12 photos to illustrate the months of the year was going to be too restrictive, so we commissioned print professional, group sponsor and all-round good guy Phil Allin to come up with a way to include more of your classics. He's done us proud and no fewer than 48 of your prized motors are included in the final design.

Order now for delivery in time for Christmas - the price is £8.99 per calendar + shipping costs. As usual we will ship worldwide with the exception of South Africa - the shipping cost will be displayed after you key in your delivery address - before you commit to purchase.

We have once again been offered a club stand at next March's Restoration Show at the NEC. It is easily our largest stand to date at a whopping 142 sq mt, which means we should have room for up to 8 display vehicles. On top of that we are right next to the live action at the Sporting Bears Dream Rides in Hall 5, stand 060.

We are looking now for members' classics to display on our stand.
​Here is the deal if yours is selected:

• You must make your own arrangements to transport your vehicle to and from the NEC at your own expense
• You must be present to help set up on the Thursday and close down on Sunday
• You will be rostered to man the stand for at least one day of the show 
• You will receive 2 free entry wristbands for each day of the show
• You will receive a free parking pass for your modern vehicle (if required)
• Insurance cover for your vehicle whilst at the show (if required) is your own responsibility
• Enthusiasts of British Motor Vehicles Built Before 1985 cannot accept liability for loss or damage to your vehicle during the event however caused - participation is strictly at your own risk

We realise this is a major commitment in time, money and effort but will do our best to make you feel welcome and part of the team. Those who have displayed previously tell us it was a great experience.

​If you are happy with the terms above, please complete the form below including at least one high quality photo of your classic. Make it a good one as its likely to be "make or break" in terms of whether your classic is chosen.

ENTRIES CLOSE midnight GMT 31 December 2018

From Admin

Welcome to our first-ever End of Year Quiz - conceived, designed and created by Dominic Coleman and we think he's done a cracking job!

​Give it a go - it's harder than you think and great fun! Once you have completed the whole quiz, share your results in the group - then you can review the quiz to see all the correct answers. We were surprised how many we didn't remember!

When you have completed the quiz you will see the screen below. Here's what to do next:

​Next year’s Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery, is set to be a record breaker as it will be the biggest yet! Another hall is being added, increasing the show by 20 per cent, to provide more space for new classic car clubs and those clubs who want to do more live working at the show.

​Some 175 clubs will attend the three day event held at Birmingham’s NEC from 22-24 March 2019. Of those confirmed, 13 clubs appearing are making their spring debut at the show. 

​Acting Show Director Lee Masters said: “This is the fastest growing motor show in the UK which proves just how much interest there is, not only in the classic car market, but in owners wanting to look after their own cars. As well as advice and expertise on restoration, we aim to also provide valuable knowledge on how to maintain and service your own vehicles which can save owners time and money in the future.”

​Ford fans will be well catered for with the Ford AVO Owners Club continuing the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Escort Mexico by displaying an ex-press car that is undergoing restoration. The Mk1-5 Cortina Owners Club celebrate its 30thyear with a stand featuring a fully restored Mk 4 Cortina 2.3S believed to be the only one on UK roads.

​The Tickford Owners Club celebrates 50 years of the Ford Capri with a superb mix of project and restored cars. The RS500 Owners community pay tribute to the brilliant driver, Rudi Eggenberger, who sadly passed away this year. His exploits in the Cosworth RS500 touring car were legendary and the stand features one of his racers.

​For something a little more unusual, the Retro Caravan Club stand is a must-visit.  Displaying caravans at different stages of restoration, including a barn-find example, visitors can watch repairs being made to one during the show.

​Staying with the unusual theme, the Buckler Register enthusiastically promotes these fascinating British sports cars, and show-goers can watch members build an example from a bare chassis to a running car and admire a Buckler 90 that has never been on the road. And remember the tiny Peel P50 hailing from the Isle of Man? The Peel Owners Club will attempt to build one during the show.

​British cars are also well represented amongst the debutantes, including the MG Car Club’s Young Members Group. Highlights of the Group’s stand include an MGB GT in daily use, a barn find MGA Coupe, and an MG ZT-T in concours condition. And be sure to visit the 1100 Club which will be showcasing maintenance and restoration work alongside fascinating technical displays.

​For more Britishness, the Rover Coupe Owners Club is marking 20 years since the end of Coupe production and 30 years since the launch of the R8 platform that underpinned the stylish sports car. A very early, pre-release press car is a highlight of the stand and restoration work will begin at the show. With numerous Vauxhall anniversaries to be celebrated - including 30 years of the Calibra coupe - visitors should head to the Vauxhall Bedford Opel Association stand.

​German marques are well represented, too, with the Quattro Owners Club displaying the first ever UK model that requires restoration. Visitors to the Scirocco Register stand can enjoy the 45th anniversary of the Mk 1 model and admire one of the earliest cars in existence, a 1974 Scirocco TS.

With such a great selection of clubs making their debut, the 2019 show promises to be better than ever. For more information as well as all the ticket prices and booking details, visit www.necrestorationshow.co

Following on from the success of the Jaguar tour and by popular request the group will be making an official visit to the Morgan Motors Factory in Malvern. You will see arguably the last true British car company still employing traditional construction methods and it should be fascinating.

We have picked the 22nd February to help break up the long dark winter ahead, plus with onsite parking and restaurant it doesn't matter if the weather is poor.

Priced at a very reasonable £24.50 per adult + £1 fees and processing.

• Friday, 22 February 2019 from 11:00-13:30 GMT
• Pickersleigh Road, Great Malvern, WR14 2LL

Please note we are making a group booking, so you will not receive an individual ticket - all you will need is the confirmation email issued when you purchase your place(s).

Mike Peake brings you the "Codgers Do The Cotswolds" tour - and all members are invited. Club tours are not limited to pre-85 British motors - Pre-Millennials are also welcome, so do join us if you can!

by Admin.

Fancy winning a stunning MK1 Golf GTi? Our club sponsors Lancaster Insurance Services are offering you the chance to do just that - simply click the button below to go to the competition page, fill in your details then keep your fingers crossed!

Fresh supplies of our most popular club calendar ever are now available to order.

We are delighted to announce that the first print run of our most excellent 2019 calendar is now sold out. We have no firm plans for a 2nd print run, but will consider it if there is demand.

Who? Mike Peake aka Fatbloke, of course!

His fame is spreading as far and wide as his left left while Woolarding! Now he's only been invited onto the stage with Mike Brewer at the NEC! 

​Forming part of the Festival of Social Science, Mike has been asked to join the panel on stage in a session to be chaired by Mike Brewer titled, "Working in Classic Motoring: Revving for the future" to discuss the future of motoring enthusiast clubs.

Mike will of course represent our club, along with Amy Clements of the Jowett Car Club and Matthew Concannon of 2CVGB and they will be onstage on Saturday at 10:45 - 11:15. If you're at the show, please go along and support Mike.

by Admin

We're back! Following our successful first-ever appearance in 2017 at this most prestigious of UK classic car events, we have been invited to return for this year's show. The important dates for your diary are 9-11 November.

As usual, club discount price tickets are available and you can book now. Click here to access the special codes you need.
Club offer Ts & Cs:

1. The codes are valid for Saturday or Sunday Adult tickets and Saturday or Sunday Family tickets, only when booked in advance. 
2. Family ticket gives access for 2 x adults and up to 3 x children (aged 5-15).
3. Club discounts will be applied to on-the-door prices: Club Adult £24.50 (£30 on-the-door) and Club Family £68 (£80 on-the-door).
4. Ticket prices include a free show guide.
5. All bookings are subject to a single transaction fee of £1.95.

Congratulations to member Dave McConnell who has been drawn as the winner of our Charity Prize Draw.
Dave wins a pair of free tickets for any day of this year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery as well as a £50 voucher to be used towards a Dream Ride with the Sporting Bears.

The total amount we raised was £120, which is being donated to the Sporting Bears Motor Club. The charities benefiting from this year's Sporting Bears fundraising activities are:

• James Rennie School, in Carlisle
  
• National Deaf Children’s Society
  
• Dogs for Good
  
• JPC Community Farm
  
• Ty Gobaith (twinned with Hope House)
  
• George and the Giant Pledge (Royal Marsden Children’s Cancer Unit)
  
• Fly2Help

A sincere thank you from the Admin team to all the members who supported us in helping this very good cause, and thanks also to Lancaster Insurance and the Sporting Bears Motor Club for providing the prizes.

We are proud to announce that we have joined up with the Sporting Bears and Lancaster Insurance to support fundraising for UK children's charities at this years' Lancaster Classic Motor Show with Discovery and we have a fantastic prize worth more than £100 to give away!

​WIN a pair of free tickets valid for any day of this year's Classic Motor Show courtesy of Lancaster Insurance AND a £50 Dream Ride voucher* courtesy of the Sporting Bears Motor Club. The cost is £5 per entry and the Dream Ride is a passenger ride of approx 10 miles. 

RULES

• enter as many times as you like
• the winner will be drawn at random on 20 October 2018
• the winner will be notified by email
• no cash alternative prizes are available

All monies raised will be donated to the Sporting Bears in support of children's charities. ​

* the price of a ride varies according to the car you select - you may need to add money to the voucher value to make up the required amount

What better way is there to raise money for charity than by taking a ten-mile passenger ride in the car of your dreams?  

The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, works with the charity organisation, the Sporting Bears Motor Club to create the ‘Dream Rides’ garage – a fantastic array of between 70-100 cars that are available for visitors to enjoy a passenger ride taking them out onto the open roads surrounding Birmingham’s NEC.

‘Dream Rides’ offer visitors the opportunity to jump into and experience some of the most spectacular cars in the world and all you have to do is donate to a wonderful cause. The size of your donation depends on the car you want to be taken for a drive in – starting from as little as £10.

The Sporting Bears Motor Club members will on average undertake 1,000 rides over the three-day event, with each person giving their time, their car and covering the cost of their fuel, so every penny of your donation goes to the children’s charities that they support across the UK.

Since Dream Rides began, the Sporting Bears have raised over £2 million in donations, with the 2016 Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show raising over £50,000!

Formed in 1989, the Sporting Bears Motor Club is a dedicated group of classic car and sports car enthusiasts with the primary aim - to raise money for children's charities through its own social and touring events, and to support other charitable events. It is to the club's credit that annual subscriptions support the club overheads thus allowing all monies raised from Dream Rides and other events to be directed towards the selected charities.

In 2017, with the help of the members, the marques on offer included Cobras, Ferraris, Maseratis, Porsches, GT40s, Jags, MGs, TR’s, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins and for those of a tender age they even had Noddy’s car!
​
There is a Dream Ride for everyone!

Reflecting on this year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show theme 'Built to Last', Motor Sport Magazine's stand is set to impress with their focus on Britain’s contribution to competitive longevity.

The display features several fascinating cars – including the oldest surviving racing Bentley. Built in 1921, and with Brooklands racing pedigree, this 3 litre car has been developed as a recreation of one of the 1922 Tourist Trophy team cars, and most recently appeared in an episode of the TV show, Downton Abbey.
 
The other star exhibit is an Aston Martin DB2, which was entered for the 1950 Le Mans 24 Hours… but did not start after driver Jack Fairman suffered an accident on the public road while making his way to the event. Racing for most of its life, chalking up several notable victories in sprints and time trials, it scored yet another memorable success earlier this year when Aston Martin driver Darren Turner, won the Fordwater Cup at the Goodwood Revival Meeting.
 
Visit the Motor Sport stand (1-430) as they take great pride in uncovering these legendary classics at the show.

If you're joining us at this year's show and you're a lover of the classic Mini, you're in for a treat at this years Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery, as we'll have a very rare 'Twini' Mini on display, once owned by motoring legend and presenter of Chasing Classic Cars, Wayne Carini.

Now owned by Mini enthusiast Alan Willcox, this car has traveled far and wide, spending most of its motoring life in the US and now parked here in the UK. Based on a 1965 Mini Cooper, and built between 1995 and 2001, the MGK 848D had been filled with a pair of 1275cc Cooper S engines which together produce around 200bhp.

Although the car is driven regularly, including visits to shows and even to the pub says the owner, the NEC will mark just its third UK show appearance. It is guaranteed to be one exhibit that avid Mini fans won’t want to miss, so be sure to come and join us in November!

The entry reads:

Many vehicle clubs attending the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery are celebrating some big anniversaries. Such anniversaries cement the fact that motoring has been loved and indispensable for many years, with hundreds of clubs being part of motor shows past and present, including the previous Earls Court Motor Show, which many of our clubs have an affinity with.

The Jowett Car Club (stand 3-148) - The World’s ‘Oldest One Make’ car club -  will be bringing a bit of nostalgia to the show. In 1948 the Jowett Javelin became more readily available (it was announced in 1947) and a flavour of the "1948 Earls Court Motor Exhibition" will be recreated on their stand.

Daimler SP250 Owners Club (stand 2-728) will be launching celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the SP250. The club will be showcasing one of the two cars that appeared at the 1959 Earls Court Motor Show. There will also be an SP450, fitted with the 4.5-litre engine and a 'C' spec car - one of the last produced - in Old English White, alongside the unique SP252 (the only one in existence) which was designed by William Lyons. 

Another ten finalists have been revealed for the Autumn Final of the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership with cars coming from across the UK and even France. ​Held at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, 20 cars in total out of the 100 entered will be invited to Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 November for the Grand Final.
 
Andrew Evanson, Senior Operations Manager of Lancaster Insurance, sponsors of the Pride of Ownership, said: “At the show, there is always a real buzz surrounding the Pride of Ownership as it showcases incredible cars with some fantastic stories behind them. It’s always exciting to hear about who will be displayed and these ten cars will be a fantastic addition!”

​The oldest car in the Final is Gillian Caldicott’s 1922 Calthorpe All Weather Tourer affectionately known as Connie (above). Believed to be one of only nine examples left, Connie was built in Birmingham and was originally owned until 1928. After then, she was lost until she was discovered partly dismantled in a semi-derelict building. Lovingly restored, the Calthorpe is around 85 per cent original but was sold to Gillian as it wasn’t being used as it should

One of the youngest cars and the youngest finalist is 20-year-old Tahmid Haque and his 1989 BMW E24 M635csi, believed to be the last M635csi finished in Diamond Schwartz Metallic, and car number 508 of 524 produced.
 
Tahmid said: “I am very fortunate in only being 20 years old and having the opportunity to own and drive such rare cars. But the real happiness comes from being able to share these cars with other enthusiasts that appreciate them and I look for every opportunity to do so.”

Kevin Peck will have quite the journey to the show, given that he resides in France, but it will be worth it to see the Bugatti Type 35 Replica he purchased for just £1,000. Visiting a friend in hospital, Kevin met the then owner in the next bed who had bought the car, crashed it after eight miles on its first trip out, and not taken it out the garage since. He offered to sell it to Kevin for £1,000 complete with dent. Kevin accepted and restored the car back to its best.
 
Also travelling across the water is David Selfridge from County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and his 1938 Citroen Traction Avant Light 12. Having been parked in the garage for ten years by the previous owner, David has restored the vehicle over the past three years and will be driving it to the show.
 
Representing the 1950s, Christopher Joyce’s ’56 Daimler New Drophead Coupe and Nick Pollitt’s ’55 Triumph TR3 will add some sports car style to the proceedings. Chris’ Daimler is one of 56 built with very few in the UK, while Nick’s TR3 was retained by Standard Triumph as the press and publicity car.
 
Lucas Reynold’s 1982 Lotus Turbo Esprit was built by Lotus for the 1982 British Motor Show at the NEC so it is great to see it return some 34 years later. To make it stand out from other manufacturers, a new metallic paint colour named Iced Blue was used on all cars on the Lotus stand to catch the eye – and it certainly does that!
 
Talking of eye catching, Josh Lydiard’s 1972 Volkswagen Trekker is not something you see every day. “It’s an odd vehicle when original but mine has a unique patina with tasteful modifications and a slightly rat rod look,” explains Josh. “The car was originally used by the Luftwaffe in the 70s and still sports its original military markings which lead me to finding out it was a radar and artillery car at an airport in Germany near Munich. The car was very unique from the factory, but this example is one of a kind.”