The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant return to the NEC

The dust has settled on The Classic Motor Show 2021, which made a triumphant returns to the NEC last weekend. After the disappointment of missing out on last years show, thousands of motoring enthusiasts and their classic cars descended on the National Exhibition Centre outside Birmingham for an extra special three day celebration of the automobile.

A total of 63,328 classic car fans made the pilgrimage to The Classic Motor Show, which took place from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th November. They flocked to see around 3,000 cars on show across seven halls of the NEC, with 270 car clubs showcasing various marques and models from all continents and eras.

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
The perfect weekend for hanging out with friends and having a nose around some old cars
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
The halls were packed with great stands and eager car fans

There certainly was a buzz in the air and the feeling amongst the crowds was a simply this… it was good to be back! It was a superb day out for friends and family, who had the chance to see their dream cars and TV celebrities on the live stage.

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
This Bertone x1/9 Gran Finale is owned by the Chairman of the Owners Club and is in nice original condition

The first port of call for Take to the Road was the Fiat x1/9 Owners Club stand, where a good chat was had about the often misunderstood Italian mid-engined sports car. Shows like this at the NEC are a fantastic opportunity to meet like minded owners and enjoy a bit of banter about our favourite cars, shares tips and learn some new things as well.

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
Dan’s 6R4 has been retruned to its original livery and has had a few period upgrades to the bodywork

Moving through the halls there were some familiar spots with the Metro 6R4 owned by Dan Ellmore on display at the 6R4.net stand. Dan’s car was elevated to celebrity status earlier this year when it appeared in an episode of Car SOS with Tim Shaw and Fuzz Townsend. And of course Take to the Road cannot forget that memorable passenger ride in Italy back in 2017. Dan’s 6R4 has undergone a significant mechanical and cosmetic refresh since its trip to Italy and is now looking very sharp indeed.

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
Puff the Magic Wagon was meant to return to Mexico last year but the global pandemic has put that trip on hold… for now.

Another familiar spot was Puff the Magic Wagon, the 1969 Austin Maxi which is owned by Bron Burrell. This is the Maxi that was entered in the 1970 Daily Mirror London-Mexico World Cup Rally. Take to the Road first came across the Maxi at the Motoring at the Manor event in 2019 and it was good to see it on display once again.

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
The fantastic livery that echoes the great 1984 Sunbeam Talbot Lotus Rally
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
The super rare Golf G60 Rallye Group A



Continuing with the rally theme, there were some other ace spots at the NEC. These included a replica of the Björn Cederberg and Stig Blomqvist Sunbeam Talbot Lotus Rally car and the genuine 1990 VW Golf Mk2 G60 Rallye Group A that was raced by Mark Lovell and Peter Watts.

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
The Sauter borrowed many parts from Porsche such as drum brakes and a close ratio gearbox.
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
The trailing link front suspension is also from the Porsche parts bin
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
Sauter still exists today

Another fascinating racing spot was this brilliant 1960 Sauter-DKW FJ, which was built in Switzerland by Sauter. This Formula Junior single seat racer was developed by the small Swiss firm using a DKW three cylinder two stroke 100BHP engine and a lot of Porsche sourced components. This car was raced by Sami Fehr and Heini Walter, who would go on to race for Porsche. This fantastic little Sauter-DKW FJ is unrestored and recently saw action at Silverstone.

The GPBox Vintage Car Memorabilia Collection

The NEC Classic Motor Show is one of the largest indoor car events in Europe and with 3,000 cars packed into the halls, there were historic vehicles of all types and ages to suit everyones tastes. And it was a chance to the many clubs to fly the flag for their marque.

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
The 1 Millionth Morris Minor was in town for the weekend
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
As was this interesting 1954 Riley Royale, which was originally a RME 4 door saloon, which was restyled and restored in 2020.
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
Another interesting spot was this very rare Jensen PW saloon. Only 18 were built between 1946 – 1951.
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
American custom style and V8 power
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
A rather crazy hot road that according to the DVLA is a Lotus with a 3.5 litre V8!



The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
And a slightly less modified example of a Lotus
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
Some nice motors on the Borgward stand

The Sporting Bears Motor Club was also at the NEC over the weekend and they succeeded in raising and impressive £28,913 from its popular Dream Rides. The ‘Bears’ gave ten-mile passenger rides to visitors in exchange for a charitable donation.

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
One of the Dream Ride’s that was on the Sporting Bears drive
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
The Stig was also on hand for a charity drive
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
The experience provided much need funds for deserving charities and a bucket list tick for car fans

The charities benefiting from this year’s show include Together 21, Keech Hospices, Derian House and Beaulieu Respite care unit.

Find your perfect Classic Car on eBay Motors

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
The autojumble was the perfect hunting ground for car fans looking for automotive treasure

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC

Of course one of the other main attractions at the NEC was the impressive autojumble, with thousands of car parts and automobilia on sale, which went on for as far as the eye could see in some of the halls.

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
Jake Clappison takes home the Pride of Ownership 1st Place Award
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
2nd place went to the 1993 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth and its owner Gideon Mayers



The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
3rd place went to Glyn and Duncan Hurst their 1978 Austin Maxi

There were also prizes up for grabs for some lucky car owners who brought their pride and joy to display over the weekend. A 1969 Triumph TR6 owned by Gary McVeigh won the coveted Meguiar’s Club Showcase trophy, while Jake Clappison followed in his dad Paul’s footsteps to win the public vote in the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership competition with his 1979 Triumph Spitfire.

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
Mike Brewer meeting fans at the show
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
He was joined by his new mechanic Marc “Elvis” Priestley
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
Ant Anstead was also at the show after popping back from California

Centre stage over the weekend at The Classic Motorshow was the entertainment on the discovery+ Live Stage, where Mike Brewer was master of ceremonies. He was joined by his Wheeler Dealers co-stars Marc ‘Elvis’ Priestley and Ant Anstead for some banter.

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
Helen Stanley and Paul Cowland chatted about the new series of Motor Pickers
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
Jimmy De Ville, Ant Partridge and Helen Stanley from Goblin Works were also on stage
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
The brilliant Bedford Dormobile that was restored in the recent series of Wheeler Dealers
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
Ant Antstead’s Alfa Romeo Tipo 184, based around a Mazda MX-5 kit, was also on display.



The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
The mighty Green Goddess restored by Jimmy De Ville with his buddy Jimmy Doherty.
The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
Jimmy De Ville with his very interesting Austin Healey Sprite race car. Its a basket case right now but Jimmy has plans for it. Stay tuned….

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC

Other stars appearing on stage included Jimmy Doherty and Jimmy De Ville from Jimmy Doherty’s Dream Builds, Paul Cowland from Salvage Hunters Classic Cars, Helen Stanley from Motor Pickers, and Ant Partridge from Goblin Works Garage.

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC
The Morris Marina gets restored live on stage

The Practical Classics team was joined by the Morris Marina Owner’s Club and Ital Register to frantically revive a 1971 1.3 Coupe which hadn’t run for 30 years, restoring it in front of the live audience. There were huge cheers when it fired up and drove off the stage at the end of Sunday’s show. It was a fitting end to a superb three day classic car celebration and brought the car show season to a close for 2021.

The Classic Motor Show makes a triumphant returns to the NEC

Andrew Evanson, Senior Operations Manager of headline sponsor Lancaster Insurance, said: “It was amazing to see the classic car community reunite over the past three days. The show is always a calendar highlight but was something special this year. Thank you to all involved and we can’t wait to do it again next year.”

The next Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, will be held at Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 November 2022. Take to the Road will be there and will bring you all the latest news in the build up to the event.



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