LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW’S BIG SCREEN CELEBRATIONS PROVE TO BE A BLOCKBUSTER

Lights, camera, action! The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show’s Big Screen theme proved to be a blockbuster this weekend as 65,000 enthusiasts headed to Birmingham’s NEC. With visitor number inline with 2013’s record breaking show, the organisers are planning to move the show to even bigger halls next year. Dan Nwaokolo, Event Director: “It’s been another amazing weekend, and a huge thanks to all the clubs for their hard work and dedication that makes this Europe’s biggest classic motoring club event. Thanks also to Lancaster Insurance, all the sponsors, exhibitors and contributors for showcasing the strength of the UK classic car market.

“For 2015, such is the demand from clubs and the industry, we’re going to make the show even bigger by moving across to the biggest halls the NEC has to offer. This will expand the show to over 93,000 square metres (currently 82,000) so we can ensure more marques and clubs can join us." The show managed to squeeze in more than the expected 1,700 classic cars with over 1,800 commemorative display stickers handed out to go on the marques being showcased by the 250 clubs.

Talking of showcases, the Meguiar’s Club Showcase once again proved to be a highlight of the show. Adrian Evans and his stunning 1969 Ford Cortina Mk2 1600E were announced as the overall winners on Sunday afternoon. There were also celebrations on the Wheeler Dealer Live Stage, where Mike Brewer, Edd China, and a team of experts not only restored a 1965 VW Beetle but also transformed it into a tribute to the iconic movie car ‘Herbie The Love Bug’. The car was then presented to winner Lee Mellor from Nottingham.

Motoring presenter Quentin Willson also joined the show team this year as the host of the brand new Classic Club Stage, sponsored by Motoriety.co.uk, which featured expert seminars and classic motoring advice as well as the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Club’s Motormind Quiz.

Silverstone Auctions had a NEC record breaking sale, with £4million of sales on the hammer and an 82 per cent sale rate. Celebrities Steve Coogan, Theo Paphitis and Lord David Steel were amongst the famous faces in the auction hall.

Stars of the show however were as always the cars. The stunning D-Type and ‘Car Zero’, the new E-type prototype drew a huge crowd to the mammoth Jaguar Heritage stand, while at the other end of the hall, the 40th anniversary display of freshly restored Porsche Turbos and Targas had everyone talking.

Richard Morley, Operations Director for headline sponsor Lancaster Insurance, said: “It was an incredible honour for us to be headline sponsor of the biggest classic car show in the UK. We’ve loved seeing so many of our car club partners, meeting fellow enthusiasts and, of course, seeing an extraordinary display of classics in one arena. The show was a testament to the wonderful industry we work in and we cannot wait for next year!” The 2015 Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show will be held from 133h to 15th November. For more information, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com

20 Nov 2014