WORDS: ELLIOTT HUGHES | PHOTOS NEC CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW
Over 70,000 enthusiasts and more than 300 classic car clubs headed to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, UK, on November 10-12, for the 2023 edition of the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show.
“From the minute the doors opened, there was a fantastic atmosphere in the halls,” reported show director Lee Masters. “After some tough years for the events industry, there was a much more positive vibe. Talking to exhibitors, they were thrilled to see more people, more spending and more confidence as the economy stabilises.”
New for 2023 was the Meet the Experts Theatre, which saw a packed schedule of panel discussions hosted by personalities such as Mike Brewer, Alex Kersten, Gary Mavers and Dominic Taylor-Lane of the Association of Heritage Engineers. Their conversations covered a wide range of topics from synthetic fuels to how to purchase a classic car.
Meanwhile, the Meguiar’s Club Showcase concours competition featured a wonderful line-up of award-winning vehicles from club-organised events, with judges comparing the cars on display to those that appear at the likes of Pebble Beach.
Best of Show was awarded to a restored 1950 Jaguar XK120 Roadster OTS of Matt Birtwhistle. It was Tahmid Haque’s 1993 BMW 850CSi Individual, however, that won the hearts of attendees and was voted the winner of the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership Award. Second place went to a 1977 Leyland Mini owned by 16-year-old brothers Liam and Ryan Rippard. James Tetherton’s 1982 Ford Fiesta XR2 rounded out the podium.
Blake Hemingway and his 1979 Yamaha XT500 won the Bike Pride of Ownership competition, with second place going to Pete Murray and his 1953 Moto Guzzi Falcone Turismo, while Freddie Brown’s 1975 Kawasaki HI 500 Mach 3 finished in third place.
One of the most popular draws of the Classic Motor Show is the Sporting Bears Motor Club’s Dream Rides garage, which provides visitors with the opportunity to ride shotgun in the car of their dreams in return for a charitable donation. This year, Sporting Bears raised an impressive £37,145 for children’s charities.
The next Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show will be held at Birmingham’s NEC from November 8-10, 2024. For more information, click here.
