Shortlists have been revealed for the 2026 International Historic Motoring Awards presented by Lockton. Contenders for the 16 awards, which span world-class restorations, events and individual achievements, were chosen from 400 nominations. This year also sees the launch of the Youth Initiative of the Year category.
The shortlisted contenders now go forward to the final stage of judging, where a panel of experts and leading figures from across historic motoring will select the winners. Among the judges are car designer Peter Stevens, Stephen Bayley, co-creator of London’s Design Museum, and Sandra Button, global ambassador for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Alongside the judged categories of the 2026 International Historic Motoring Awards is Car of the Year, which is decided by public vote from a shortlist of ten cars chosen by the experts. Voting closes on Friday 30 October, 2026, so please cast your vote here.
All winners of the 2026 International Historic Motoring Awards will be revealed on November 13, 2026 at a ceremony and gala dinner at The Peninsula London hotel, hosted by broadcaster and racing driver Amanda Stretton.
Now in their 16th year, the awards are supported by the Petersen Automotive Museum, Nyetimber, Revs Institute, and Octane and Magneto magazines.
“This year’s 2026 International Historic Motoring Awards shortlist is particularly strong, with some exceptional achievements across every category,” said Geoff Love, co-founder and managing director of Hothouse Media. “I’m especially pleased to see the arrival of Youth Initiative of the Year, recognising the organisations developing the next generation of talent on which the future of historic motoring depends.”
2026 Awards Categories
CAR OF THE YEAR
- Sunbeam 1000hp
- Auto Union Lucca
- The 1-2-3 1966 Le Mans Ford GT40s
- Bluebird K7
- The Clark Gable Duesenberg SSJ
- JCB Hydromax
- McLaren F1 GTR chassis 10R
- McLaren M6GT recreation
- Lola T70S continuation
- Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe chassis CSX2300
Public voting is open at historicmotoringawards.co.uk until October 30, 2026. Please cast your vote now.
RESTORATION OF THE YEAR
- Thomas ‘Flatiron’
- Duesenberg Special Speedster SSJ, chassis J-567
- Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport, chassis 110109
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage Moulded Fliptail, chassis V8/11928/LCAV
- Bentley 3 Litre, XT1606
- BMW 328 Mille Miglia ‘Bügelfalte’, chassis 85032
- Ferrari 375 America Vignale Cabriolet, chassis 0353 AL
- Lancia D20 Berlinetta
- Sunbeam 1000hp
- Williams FW25 Formula 1
BESPOKE CAR OF THE YEAR
In partnership with: Octane magazine
- Auto Union Lucca
- Bizzarrini 5300 Aperta Lusso
- Ruf Boxer 8 Erprober
- Daytona Shooting Brake Hommage by Niels van Roij Design
- Ford Escort Mk1 RS by Boreham Motorworks
- Gordon Murray Special Vehicle S1
- Lola T70S GT
- McLaren McL 6GT
- Morgan Midsummer Coupé
- Spyker C8 Preliator XXV
MOTORING BOOK OF THE YEAR
- Against All the Others: Porsche’s Racing History, Volume 2 – 1969 by Randy Leffingwell
- AJ Foyt Legacy Volume 2 by Art Garner
- Aston Martin: The Entire Story by Russell Hayes
- Heroes of the Forest: The Complete History of the Pebble Beach Road Race by Mark Brinker
- Lella Lombardi – The Tigress of Turin by John Saltinstall
- Maserati 250S A Legendary Formula 1 Car by Walter Baeumer and Jean-Francois Blachette
- Porsche 964 Carrera RS by Christoph Mäder
- The Ferrari 250 GTO Spotting Guide by Yan-Alexandre Damasiewicz
- Ultimate Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona by Porter Press International
- Whitney Straight: Racing Driver, War Hero, Industrialist by Paul Kenny
BREAKTHROUGH EVENT OF THE YEAR
- Anantara Concorso Roma (Anantara Rome)
- Cavallino Classic Monaco (Canossa Events)
- Concours d’Élégance International Schlumpf (Musée National de l’Automobile)
- Royal Bahrain Concours (Thorough Events)
- Wilton House Concours des Légendes (Pembroke Events/Hothouse Media)
CLUB OF THE YEAR
In partnership with: Lockton
- 3A Lyon (Amateurs Automobiles Anciennes Lyon)
- Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA)
- Berkshire and District Classic Car Club
- Club Lotus
- Lamborghini Club UK
- Porsche Club Great Britain
- Vintage Sports-Car Club
INDUSTRY SUPPORTER OF THE YEAR
In partnership with: Revs Institute
- Aramco
- BMW Group
- Classic Car Services
- Ford Heritage
- Motul
- Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
MOTOR SPORT EVENT OF THE YEAR
- Benjafield’s 500 (Benjafields Racing Club)
- Circuit des Remparts d’Angoulême (Classic Grand Touring)
- Grand Prix de Monaco Historique (Automobile Club de Monaco)
- Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Association)
- Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca)
- VSCC Pomeroy Trophy (Vintage Sports Car Club)
- WeatherTech Vintage Weekend with Brian Redman (Road America)
MOTORING EVENT OF THE YEAR
In partnership with: Nyetimber
- Brooklands Museum Grand Prix Centenary
- Chantilly Arts & Élégance Richard Mille
- Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
- Prewar Days
- Rétromobile
- The Aurora
- The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance
PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR
- Aaron Shelby for coordinating the return of all three Ford/Shelby GT40 Le Mans-winning cars to England for Goodwood’s Festival of Speed and Revival, commemorating the 60th anniversary of their historic victory.
- Jay Leno for his successful campaign to secure California’s Leno’s Law, protecting access to collector cars and preserving automotive heritage for future generations.
- Lord Bamford for spearheading JCB Hydromax, which set a World Land Speed Record of 406.320mph in 2026, making it the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle in history.
- Manvendra Singh for dedicating more than five decades to preserving and promoting India’s automotive heritage through restoration, historical research and the curation of internationally renowned concours events.
- Mark Hastings for leading Brooklands Museum’s Grand Prix Centenary, bringing together more than 120 historic Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars to celebrate 100 years of British Grand Prix racing.
- Rob Manson for spearheading the 75th-anniversary celebrations of the Pebble Beach Road Races, bringing together 40 historic cars and championing the preservation and promotion of California’s motor sport heritage.
- Tom Hartley Jnr for opening his purpose-built headquarters in 2026, creating a world-class destination for the collector car community and investing in the future of the industry.
SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR
- CKL Developments
- Classic Car Services
- Mecum Auctions
- Paul Russell & Company
- Thornley Kelham
- Walter Heale Historic Motor Cars
RALLY OR TOUR OF THE YEAR
- Badawï Trail to the Last Oasis (HERO-ERA)
- Arctic Sun Classic (Classic Rallies)
- Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille (Peter Auto)
- Royal Rajasthan (Bespoke Rallies)
- The Cape 1000
- The Winter Trial (Classic Events)
YOUTH INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
In partnership with: Petersen Automotive Museum
- ArtCenter College of Design
- Heritage Skills Academy
- HERO-ERA Rally for the Ages
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
- McPherson College
- Piston Foundation
- RPM Foundation
- StarterMotor Limited
- Stichting SLS Classic
RACE SERIES OF THE YEAR
- Alfa Revival Cup (Canossa Events)
- Formula Junior Historic Racing Association
- GT3 Revival (Peter Auto)
- IROC (IROC Holdings)
- Masters Racing Legends (Masters Historic Racing)
MUSEUM / COLLECTION OF THE YEAR
In partnership with: Magneto magazine
- Brooklands Museum
- M24 – Musée du Sport Automobile
- Museo Nicolis
- Musée National de l’Automobile, Collection Schlumpf
- Nationales Automuseum The Loh Collection
- The Bugatti Trust Museum and Study Centre
- The Ruskin Museum
- Wood Brothers Racing
DIGITAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR
- Audrain Museum Network
- Automotive Masterpieces
- Brooklands Museum Grand Prix Centenary
- Mecum Auctions
- Revs Institute
- The Classic Car Register
- Club Lotus Digital Heritage Archive
- Torque Media
