We invited offers of British classics to exhibit on our club stand at this year's Lancaster Classic Motor Show with Discovery and you didn't disappoint!

More than 20 fantastic motors were offered by their proud owners and it's no word of a lie to say we would have been proud to display all of them - but of course we have to work with the space we have been allocated by the show organisers which has room for just 5 cars, so some very difficult choices have had to be made.

So firstly, the Admin team wants to say a very big thank you to everyone who took part - we really do appreciate it and wish we could have taken every motor put forward. Please try again next time.

So here we are - the 5 magnificent beasties selected for this year's stand are:

Read more about James' story and tell us of your memories of the show too. Whether it's about your first visit to the NEC Classic Motor Show, if you displayed a car one year, or a story of a car you wished you never let go - we'd love to hear it!

PRESS RELEASE

As 2019 marks the 35th anniversary of the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, the organisers have chosen to theme Hall 8 as ‘From 1984 - The 35th Anniversary Hall’. Held at Birmingham’s NEC from 8-10 November, this part of the show is dedicated to marques, models and clubs that have appeared since 1984.
 
More than forty clubs are already confirmed for the Anniversary Hall, joining the other 260 that will be spread across the other six halls of the show. When it comes to the classics on display, there really is something for everyone from family models and sports car to heroes from the world of motorsport.
 
Amongst the Anniversary Hall highlights are some great Japanese classics. The UK S2000 Owners Club will be saluting 20 years of Honda’s terrific drop-top sports car. The 300ZX Owners Club celebrates 30 years since the launch of the Z32 300ZX and also 50 years since the arrival of the famed Z Car range. 
 
Other clubs celebrating earlier Japanese models include the Honda S800 Sports Car Club celebrating half a century since the Honda N600 was launched onto the UK market, the Classic Z Register who plan to show iconic Datsun 240Z to celebrate its 50th and the Toyota Enthusiasts Club celebrating 40 years of the Celica 40 series second generation.
 
There are plenty more sporting classics to enjoy too, and Ford enthusiasts will certainly want to help mark 20 years since of the launch of the Racing Puma. And no one will want to miss the Peugeot Sport Club UK stand as the brilliant 205 GTi reaches its 35th birthday.
 
Rover fans also have plenty to celebrate, including 20 years since the official sales launch of the 75, while the Rover 800 Club will mark two decades since the last 800 was made. Another family classic that has reached a special milestone is the Mk2 Vauxhall Astra, the Owners Club for the model marking 35 years since its launch.

​When it comes to motorsport, the awesome MG Metro 6R4 rally car is always guaranteed to draw a crowd, and with 2019 being 35 years since its official launch both 6R4.net and Rallying History will be displaying some great examples.
 
A number of clubs also have anniversaries of their own and you can be sure they will be ready to celebrate in style. It is 20 years since the Maestro & Montego Owners Club was formed plus 35 years of the Montego itself. The Naylor Car Club has reached its silver jubilee, the Middlebridge Enthusiasts Scimitar Set is 30 years old, while Audi Owners Club celebrates 21 years of the Audi TT.
 
Event Director Lee Masters said: “With the show’s own 35th anniversary and a wealth of classic car celebrations to enjoy, Hall 8 is going to be very special. Following its successful introduction last year, it is all set to welcome plenty of enthusiastic visitors once again.”
 
Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery. For more information including a full list of the attending clubs, ticket options and booking details, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com. 

This year's Lancaster Classic Motor Show will be held once again at the NEC between 8-10 November 2019 and we will have a stand in a fantastic position in Hall 5 - just a short distance from the Live Stage where all the action will be happening.

​A stand is nothing without some stunning motor vehicles to look at, so we are inviting offers from members willing to display their pride and joy for 3 days at the NEC. Only the very best will be selected. Everyone who has taken part in previous years told us it was a fantastic experience so don't be shy!
IMPORTANT: Entries close at midnight GMT on 31 July 2019

​Welcoming back the world's largest gathering of classic vehicle clubs, the show opens its doors to a community of passionate enthusiasts.

​Being the heart of the show, clubs will join together to spread their love and wisdom for motors. Whether they're celebrating historic milestones or have a rare model taking centre stage, a wide range of marques and models will be represented as we present to you 300 clubs from around the country.

With outstanding car displays all trying to out do one-another, meet some of the world's most knowledgeable car collectors and enthusiasts who are ready to welcome you in to our motoring world!

Check out which clubs will be joining us 8-10 November.

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.

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!
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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.”

The Standard-Triumph Forum is an umbrella group for all clubs connected to Standard or Triumph cars, who meet to exchange ideas and facilitate inter-club cooperation, they also organise an annual gathering – the Standard Triumph Marque Day – for all owners irrespective of their club affiliation!
 
Joining us at this year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery, the individual Standard and Triumph clubs will present imaginative and eye-catching displays in Hall 4, whilst the Standard-Triumph Forum's stand nearby in the brand new Hall 8 will complement these displays by presenting an exciting snapshot of the entire history of both marques with a timeline that cuts across club boundaries.
 
Squeezing an impressive 12 cars onto the stand, discover timeless classics from the pre-WWI era right through to the last Triumphs of the 1980s. See how the marques evolved and models changed as technology progressed and customer tastes developed. It promises to be a fascinating at-a-glance overview of how the British motor industry grew and matured across eight decades.

Interested in finding out more? Visit their stand at the show, 8-320.

The brand new hall 8 added to this year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, will feature our own club stand (not sure why we are a "special display" but heck, we'll take it!) plus our friends the Boston Classic Car Club (same comments apply) and a number of ‘Special Displays’ bringing together a rich selection of amazing classics with around 40 clubs in total exhibiting in this area, including 15 making their show debut.

Impressive displays will be on show from the likes of Historic Marathon Rally Group promising a mouth-watering selection of rally cars that took part in the 1968 London to Sydney Rally, or FordSport with one of the oldest Escorts, an Mk1 Escort Mexico and an Escort Cosworth accompanying.

There will be even more British classics also on offer, and show-goers won’t want to miss the MGF Register stand with a range of motors including a limited-edition MG TF sporting an eye-catching ‘Chromactive Typhoon’ paint job. The Midlands Austin Seven Club who will be showing four lovely models, including a 1927 Chummy and a 1938 Ruby. 

Join us in discovering the world's largest gathering of classic vehicle clubs this November! Book your tickets now and save up to 15%.

The Morgan Sports Car Club this year celebrates an almighty anniversary with 50 years on the clock!

In 1968 Morgan developed the famous +8 using a Buick 3.5 litre V8 engine shoehorned into the famous Morgan chassis and framework. From this prototype emerged the Rover V8 engined car which in its day could leave virtually every other car on the road standing. The +8 has since been in production for 50 years and has been greatly loved, admired and envied by many aficionados, needless to say the car was the vehicle of choice for many pop and film stars of the swinging sixties and seventies.

In its latest development the +8 now has a BMW (badged Morgan) 4.8l engine on a bonded aluminium chassis with aluminium body which will propel the driver from 0 to stupid in a handful of seconds.

Be sure to visit the MSCC stand (1-440) where you will find a stunning showcase of the +8 demonstrating its different uses and history, from a very early 1969 model to some BMW engined beasts.

Celebrating the 65th anniversary of the convertible, three MK1 Zephyr Convertibles will be at this year's show, displayed by the Five Stars, The Mk1 Consul, Zephyr & Zodiac Owners Club.

Bringing in an international touch, a​​ll are special export versions from Algeria, New Zealand and the USA. Two are original examples - one right-hand drive and one left. The USA car is a custom version, originating from North Carolina, it is the oldest known surviving convertible in the world, being number 21 produced by the factory. It has recently had a complete repaint and has won a couple of awards this season. Also on display is a Mk1 Consul which has a heart-warming story behind it.

Explore this fantastic collection at the show on stand 5-570.

Surely, this year’s NEC theme describes the Middlebridge Scimitar perfectly! A galvanised chassis and a strong glass-fibre body, some 30mm thick in places underlines this claim.
   
In 1987, the Scimitar GTE name and design was brought by the Middlebridge Company who wanted to give the car a new lease of life. Using an existing Reliant Scimitar SE6B, Middlebridge engineers set about modifying it and after some 450 modifications were made, a prototype Middlebridge Scimitar GTE was built and launched at the 1989 Earls Court Motor Show. This bespoke car is the ultimate model in Tom Karen's (Ogle) iconic and trend-setting design.
   
Sporting the superb Ford 2.9 Cologne V6 EFI engine, mated to an uprated Type 9 5-speed manual gearbox or (4-speed auto), these cars are fast – comfortable – economic – timeless. All 79 cars made still survive… they were definitely ‘BUILT TO LAST’.
   
Be sure to visit The MESS while at the show on stand 2-725 and get a close up look of these iconic cars.

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) is promising its biggest and most diverse display yet at this year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery. 

The FBHVC has released a taster of what visitors to their stand can expect, with something for everyone, from commercials to sports cars, including a full sized LEGO Traction Engine. 

Other vehicles in the display includes a Scout Carrier Mk 1L with four guns, a 1931 AEC Regent double decker bus and a 1968 Bedford CA van belonging to the Vauxhall Heritage Collection. 

FBHVC's stand is definitely going to be one of the most eclectic at the show and should not be missed by anyone. Visit their stand (5-980) right next to the Discovery Live Stage. 

This year’s show theme ‘Built to Last’ is epitomised by hard working vehicles which have also contributed to technical advances in motoring.

Standard was the parent company of the Triumph marque after 1945, and in the 1950s was the fifth largest British motor manufacturer. The Standard Motor Club will be celebrating 70 years since the launch of the Standard Vanguard and 60 years since launch of the Standard Atlas on their stand 4-572 at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery.

The engine of the Standard Vanguard family of cars was the precursor to the Triumph TR range of sports cars as were many of their mechanical parts. The Ferguson tractor engine was also derived from that of the Vanguard and many other vehicles also used Vanguard derived engines and parts, notably Morgan, Swallow Doretti, Peerless, Leyland 15 and 20 and even the Indian version of the Rover SD1.

On stand 4-572 you will be able to see the 1952 Vanguard Estate Car KOR 394, an early ‘MPV’ with a gruelling history: First owned by an army lieutenant-colonel who became a pig farmer and later by a firm of Isle of Wight undertakers. Since being preserved it has appeared in several TV programmes and films, including: an early episode of the soap Doctors, a documentary on Ruth Ellis - the last woman to be hanged, a short film docudrama about the theft of Sophia Loren's jewels and a documentary about the Braybrook Street police murders in London. It is pictured in the more convivial setting of Walton Hall, Warwickshire fully loaded with the club’s show material for their annual Standard Motor Club International Rally which took place in June… showing that it is still going strong 66 years after it was built! 

There will also be a 1958 Standard Ensign 6853 JW on display.  A simpler version of the later Vanguard with similar mechanical parts to the earlier car, this example has been owned and greatly loved by the same Black Country family for almost 50 years.

A third vehicle, a 1959 Standard Atlas 9237 CR celebrates the launch of the Atlas range by the Standard Motor Company. The Atlas was one of the first small vans which was not car derived and were therefore able to have capacious bodies in much the same manner as Ford designed the later Transit in 1966. The van on show is a Camper version but there were all types of vehicles in the range including pick-ups and chassis cabs. This vehicle belongs to someone who has rescued some 20 vehicles built by the Standard Motor Company thereby ensuring that they will continue to last into the future.
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About The Standard Motor Club
The Standard Motor Club is dedicated to the preservation of Standard Cars 1903 – 1963. Offering an online 24/7 Spares Shop with the largest stock of Standard Spares available anywhere plus a full-colour monthly magazine. With their active Local Groups and lively UK wide events programme, if you own any Standard, or intend to own one in the near future, you owe it to yourself to join!
Love Standard?  Visit www.standardmotorclub.org to find out more.


THE LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW, WITH DISCOVERY 2018 IS DELIGHTED TO PRESENT THE WORLD’S BIGGEST GATHERING OF CLASSIC VEHICLE CLUBS WHO BRING JOY AND KNOWLEDGE TO THE SHOW ALONG WITH THEIR BEAUTIFUL VEHICLES.
Click here to see the full list of classic car clubs attending.

Midlands classic motoring specialist RBW Classic Electric Cars has joined forces with world-leading names to secure the future of classic motoring with the launch of two limited edition electric recreations.

"Our aim is to make these great classic cars better for the modern age and to do that, we have been fortunate to be supported by great companies who share the same ethos". Managing Director, Peter Swain explained that the company is working closely with Zytek Automotive, who provide world championship winning technology applied to Formula E racing cars!

These rare and hand-built models were launched this September to the motoring trade, there will be a public launch at this year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, where enthusiasts can reserve their very own vehicle with a small deposit at their stand (2-248)! 

Continuing our previews of the 2018 Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery

2018 marks the 80th anniversary of Jensen Motors first exhibiting at the Earls Court Motor Show. A fantastic recreation of the display will be showcased on the Jensen Owners' Club stand (1-545) with two vehicles that were at that particular show including an S-type and an H-type (the car that is regarded as the first true Jensen created by the brothers Alan and Richard).

This elegant 1935 model known as the White Lady was exported to Canada in 1957 and used for a few years before being stored. Having recently resurfaced it will be making its only public appearance at the show before entering a full restoration, giving you an exclusive opportunity to see this unique vehicle... warts and all.

The final vehicle on the stand will be a Jensen SP, the most powerful vehicle they ever produced. Featured at the restoration show in 2015, the car has been the subject of a full nut and bolt restoration after over 20 years literally abandoned in a barn. Be sure to pay it a visit!

Wheeler Dealers’ Mike Brewer is looking forward to this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, for more reasons than usual as it will be the very first time he sees the final results of #ProjectMGA – the restoration of his 1959 MGA Roadster.

Found in California and shipped to the UK, Mike asked the MG Car Club (stand 3-370) for advice on what to do with the MGA and after a public vote at a previous NEC show, the decision was made to restore the car back to its former glory.

Mike and the MG Car Club have teamed up with Rally Preparation Services to manage the restoration and Moss Europe to provide all the parts. The car is undergoing a full restoration, with the #ProjectMGA team looking to unveil the finished car to Mike at the NEC in November.
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Continuing our series previewing this year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with Discovery. Taking advantage of this year's show theme 'Built to Last', the Morris Register club will be displaying a motor that beholds such great history within the traditional British farming industry.

​Back in 1938, a Morris 8 van was bought as new for a dairy business and still to this day is in use! The dairy was formed that year by Harry Workman and has now expanded to be one of the largest independent dairies in the country, 'Cotteswold Dairies'. The founders son Roger, will be in attendance over the weekend standing in for his father, who sadly passed away in 2016, aged 98.

This beautiful classic will be on show on the Morris Register stand (3-472) joined with milkmaids, old dairy memorabilia including a cow and a few extra surprises.