LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW 2018

There were so many landmarks to celebrate at this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery and the show’s ‘Built to Last’ theme had been cleverly interpreted in a number of imaginative ways. From the Veteran Car Club’s emotive ‘Coming Home’ tribute to the end of the Great War to a mix of resourceful displays reflecting the show’s theme, this year’s event, which took place on November 9-11, continues to push the boundaries and was definitely the biggest so far.

Over one million square feet of show space at Birmingham’s NEC was packed with interesting displays and this prestigious event not only saw the world’s biggest gathering of vehicle clubs (a whopping 300 in total), but also a colourful new hall, over 650 specialist traders and exhibitors, a whole host of motoring celebrities, and, most importantly, 3000 cars of all shapes and sizes.

No event encompasses the diversity and sheer size of the classic car scene better than this one and it was little surprise that more than 71,000 visitors were in attendance over the three days. From veteran cars to Group B rally monsters, the variety seems to get better each year, with more clubs represented and both modern and modified classics taking their position alongside more traditional show-pieces.

This season closing event is already the world’s largest indoor gathering of indoor car clubs and next year the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show will celebrate its 35th outing. The date for your diaries is :

November 8-10, 2019. In the meantime, here are some of our highlights from a memorable 2018 event.

The potential future of the classic car scene was showcased with two electric MGs. Staffordshire RBW Classic Electric Cars unveiled its electric Roadster, which used a British Motor Heritage MGB bodyshell, while over on the MG Car Club Stand, Retro-EV had brought along its stunning battery-powered MGA all the way over from Finland.

With cars ranging from a concours Mini Traveller to a Daimler Conquest Roadster and a Datsun Bluebird, the Pride of Ownership showed a level of diversity seen on few other stands. Ant Anstead presented the award to winner Rob Sargent for his 1969 Ford Cortina Savage.

The diversity of cars is increasing all the time. It’s hard to imagine this modified Mini Clubman or a heavily ‘stanced’ Hillman Imp being a part of the show a few years ago, but the show is catering for a wider audience all the time – essential if the scene is to attract new blood.