16 reasons not to miss the NEC Classic Motor Show 2022

It’s back…

Before many enthusiasts tuck away their beloved classics for the cold winter months, hundreds of car clubs will be heading to the NEC Birmingham for the Classic Motor Show on 11-13 November.

The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show with discovery+, to give it its full title, is one of the biggest celebrations of the UK’s classic car community.

This year’s theme is ‘Part of the Family’, highlighting the relationship between faithful owners and their cherished classics – something we can all relate to.

If you’re heading to the NEC this month, here are some of the show stars to help you get the most from your visit.

1. Big in Birmingham

We said it was big – how big? Well, The Classic Motor Show is spread over six massive halls of the NEC Birmingham, so we recommend that you plan your day in advance to get the most from it – and wear some comfy shoes, too!

Once inside, you’ll be greeted by 300-plus car clubs, more than 600 exhibitors and in excess of 3000 classic cars, ’bikes and historic vehicles.

We weren’t kidding when we said it’s huge.

2. Plenty of clubs

With more than 300 clubs attending, the Classic Motor Show is a brilliant opportunity to talk to like-minded enthusiasts about your classic.

Alternatively, if you’re making your first steps into the classic car world, the show is a great chance to get some friendly advice.

The clubs always put in so much effort with their stands, too.

This year, the Rover P4 Drivers' Guild (hall 5, stand 474) will be displaying a replica of the Rover Jet 1, the world’s first gas turbine-powered car; a car owned by Queen Elizabeth II will be on the Autobahnstormers stand (hall 5, stand 675) ; and the Jensen Owners’ Club (hall 1, stand 780) will have a rare C-V8. And we’ve barely scratched the surface.

3. Big- and small-screen stars

The clubs will also have you covered if you want to see some famous cars.

The Volvo Enthusiasts’ Club (hall 2, stand 150) will display the P1800 from The Saint, while if you find the Panther Car Club (hall 3, stand 40) you’ll see Bessie, a Ford-based classic car replica that featured in ’70s Doctor Who episodes.

Plus, a modern film star from the Fast & Furious franchise will be shown by the Noble Owners’ Club (hall 1, stand 210).

4. Something different

It may not be a famous movie car, but the Lancia Stratos Zero concept car is well-known for different reasons.

Unveiled at the 1970 Turin motor show, the Marcello Gandini-penned Stratos Zero took the wedge design concept to the extreme. The result was certainly eye-catching – today as it was 52 years ago.

The original car will be displayed at the NEC Classic Motor Show by the Lancia Motor Club, located in hall 2 at stand 750.

5. Come and see Classic & Sports Car

Be sure to head over to the Classic & Sports Car stand.

Say hi and pore over our fabulous show car – we can’t give too much away, other than we like to think we are celebrating our 40th birthday in style.

You can also make the most of our exclusive show subscription offers.

You’ll find us in hall 1 at stand 575.

6. Famous faces

TV stars will take to the show’s live stage across the weekend.

Former Fifth Gear presenter, Jonny Smith, will be joined by Mike Brewer from Wheeler Dealers and Car Throttle presenter Alex Kersten for a mix of interviews and Q&A sessions on the discovery+ Live Stage – see them from 2:30pm on Friday and Saturday, and 2pm on Sunday.

The Grand Tour’s Richard Hammond will also be appearing on the live stage. As well as recounting his on-screen adventures, he will be talking about his classic-car restoration business, The Smallest Cog – catch him on the live stage and the DriveTribe stand on 12-13 November.

7. Learn something new

Experts from Wakefield-based specialist Gilbert-Michaelson Ltd will be sharing handy engineering tips at the Restoration Theatre across the weekend.

The team will be hosting practical demonstrations plus teaching members of the audience skills to aid their own restoration projects.

The focus will be on vehicle bodywork, from tricky panel repairs to perfect paint polishing.

8. Go for a spin

If you’d prefer to get behind the wheel of a classic car, then HERO-ERA’s Arrive & Drive scheme could be a great place to start – or to give someone a taste of the joys of classic motoring.

A four-mile trip around the NEC starts from £47 for drivers or £32 for a passenger ride; you can choose from classic cars including a Triumph TR4, MGB Roadster and Lancia Delta Integrale. Book your trip here.

What’s more, the Sporting Bears Dream Rides will be back once again, offering 10-mile or 20-minute passenger rides in a variety of modern and classic cars in return for a charity donation – find out more here.

9. In the market

Whether you’re serious about buying or simply content browsing the lots, Silverstone Auctions’ sale will bring an assortment of interesting vehicles to the Classic Motor Show.

Confirmed lots include a 1979 Suzuki LJ80R gifted to Barry Sheene by Suzuki GB, a 1957 BMW Isetta 600 owned by Sir Stirling Moss and an ex-RAF Land-Rover Series One from 1955.

The classic car auction will take place on Saturday 12 November, with viewing open from 10am on Friday 11 November.

There’ll be an automobilia and ’bike auction on Sunday 13 November, too.

Check out all the lots here.

10. Best of the best

The Meguiar’s Club Showcase will feature a line-up of 14 award-winning classic cars competing to be crowned ‘best in show’.

The candidates for this year’s award range from a Volkswagen Mk1 Golf Cabriolet (pictured) to a Ferrari 250GTO 2+2 – a 1969 Triumph TR6 took top honours at last year’s event.

The winner will be revealed at 12pm on Sunday 13 November.

11. Go part hunting

The event hosts the largest indoor autojumble and trader village in the UK, so if there’s a pesky part that you’ve been struggling to find for your pride and joy, the NEC Classic Motor Show is a great place to try and track it down.

As well as the abundance of parts and accessories, there will also be plenty of memorabilia, artwork, books, tools and signs to browse or buy.

12. C&SC’s Club Awards

Once again, we will be celebrating your car club heroes with the Classic & Sports Car Club Awards.

The in-person ceremony, in association with Lancaster Insurance, returns on Friday 11 November.

We’ve been thrilled to receive a bumper crop of nominations this year and can’t wait to show our appreciation for the Great British car club community.

13. Two-wheeled displays

Love travelling by two wheels as well as four? You’re in luck. The NEC Classic Motor Show isn’t just about cars, and the Classic Bike Showcase will include a Pride of Ownership competition plus plenty of classic and vintage ’bikes.

Multiple Motorbike Trial World Champion Dougie Lampkin will be taking to a specially designed obstacle course to flaunt his impressive skills in a live action show, too.

He will also make an appearance on the discovery+ Live Stage.

14. Anniversary celebrations

We’ve already shone the spotlight on some car club stands and here’s another you might want to take time to seek out.

The TVR Car Club (hall 1, stand 980) will be marking the 50th anniversary of the TVR M-Series at the NEC Classic Motor Show.

The stand will feature a restored TVR Taimar owned by Mike Bigland, who was responsible for the design and engineering of the M-Series cars from 1972.

The club’s stand will also commemorate the 75th anniversary of the TVR name with a line-up of models from throughout the marque’s history.

15. Paul McCartney’s tour bus

The result of a special restoration project will be unveiled at the NEC Classic Motor Show. It is a 1953 Bristol double-decker bus, better known as the 1972 Wings Tour Bus.

It was originally used to ferry Paul McCartney and his band, Wings, to concerts across Europe in 1972.

The bus will be hosting live music performances at the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs’ display (hall 5, stand 410) across the weekend.

16. A grand finale

The Classic Motor Show will also host the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership Autumn Final – and you can have your say to decide who wins.

A massive 80-plus entries have been whittled down to 20 finalists, with a year’s free car insurance up for grabs for the winner.

The finalists include a 1938 Austin 10 Cambridge, a 1960 Chevrolet Bel Air (pictured) and a 1981 Ford Fiesta 950 Popular.

The winner will be announced on Sunday 13 November.

To find out more about the Classic Motor Show at the NEC Birmingham, on 11-13 November 2022, and to book tickets, please click here – and we will see you there!