A Hillman Avenger Tiger press car. An entire line-up of Cortina Mk3 GXLs. A rare French saloon. Jeremy Clarkson’s old cars going under the hammer. And a motorcycle once raced by Mike Hailwood.
There’s going to be plenty to keep classic vehicle enthusiasts occupied at Birmingham’s NEC this November.
The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show returns from 13–15 November 2026, bringing together more than 3,000 cars and motorcycles across seven halls.
But while the headline numbers are impressive, it’s often the less obvious exhibits that make this show such an enjoyable event.
Those cars you haven’t seen for decades.
The unusual restoration projects.
And the rare survivors that you might otherwise never have the opportunity to see.
This year’s theme is particularly well suited to that sort of discovery.
The organisers have chosen ‘Debutants’ as the theme for 2026, encouraging participating clubs to bring vehicles that have never previously appeared at the show.
With more than 320 clubs expected, that should make for some interesting displays.
And there’s already plenty to look forward to.
The Cortina Mk3 Club is planning an entire line-up of GXL models, while the Land Rover Series 2 Club will display seven first-time exhibits covering military vehicles, competition machinery and everyday working Land Rovers.
The Jaguar Drivers’ Club is celebrating the XJ220 and other milestones, and Club Audi will mark three anniversaries with cars new to the event.
The Maserati Club UK is also commemorating a century since the Tipo 26 made its competition debut in 1926, winning its class on its first outing.
It’s a wonderfully varied selection.
And for us, that variety is much of the appeal.
One of the displays we’re particularly interested in is the collection of previously unseen cars at the entrance to Hall 5.
Among them will be original press cars associated with the Hillman Avenger Tiger and Rover Mini Cooper Sport.
The Avenger Tiger is a fantastic reminder of an era when manufacturers weren’t afraid to give an ordinary family saloon a more sporting character.
And the Mini Cooper Sport represents the final chapter of the classic Mini’s remarkable production history.
Elsewhere, visitors can expect to see some distinctly unusual machinery.
A Hotchkiss-Grégoire Chapron Berline is among the announced exhibits, along with a 1937 Ford V8 boat-tail racer imported from Argentina.
Neither is something you’re likely to encounter at your average Sunday classic car gathering.
There’s also an ambitious project involving a 1955 Series 1 Land Rover.
Dr Ed Barsley has converted his father’s Land Rover to electric power and is preparing an attempt to circumnavigate the globe in an electric classic vehicle.
Whatever your views on converting historic vehicles to electric power, that’s an extraordinary undertaking.
It’s easy to be distracted by the headline attractions at the NEC, but the club displays have always been one of the event’s strongest features.
There’s something particularly appealing about finding a beautifully preserved example of an otherwise ordinary car.
A model that once filled British roads but has become surprisingly difficult to find.
Or a restoration project that has taken its owner years to complete.
Often, the most interesting part is speaking to the person responsible for bringing the vehicle along.
The 2026 Pride of Ownership competition should provide plenty of those stories.
Twenty vehicles are taking part in the autumn final, ranging from a 1948 Jaguar MkIV to a 2005 BMW Z4.
Some of the entries particularly caught our attention.
There’s Pete Crompton’s 1962 Hillman Super Minx, Nick Seaton’s 1977 Triumph Dolomite Sprint, a 1990 Renault 5 GT Turbo and a 1966 Morris Minor.
Franc Gregori’s 1982 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole adds a very different flavour to the line-up.
A 1975 Land Rover Series 3 fire engine is another unusual contender.
And how about a 1986 Sherpa Freight Rover with a 3.5-litre engine?
That’s certainly something we’d like a closer look at.
The winner and two runners-up are due to be announced on Sunday afternoon, with Mike Brewer presenting the results.
Another area worth visiting is the Meguiar’s Club Showcase, bringing together cars selected from the wider club scene.
This year’s finalists include a 1960 Triumph Italia 2000, 1959 Edsel Ranger, 1983 Ford Escort RS1600i and 1998 Mini Paul Smith Edition.
There’s also a 1964 Saab short-nose model, a 1949 Jaguar MkV saloon and a 2005 MG ZS.
That last one illustrates something interesting about the classic car world.
What we consider worthy of preservation is constantly changing.
A relatively recent MG saloon might not have attracted much attention fifteen years ago.
Today, a particularly good surviving example can be just as interesting to some enthusiasts as a much older vehicle.
The cars we’re still seeing regularly on British roads now will become tomorrow’s rare survivors.
For many visitors, the auctions are a major part of the weekend.
Iconic Auctioneers returns as the show’s official auction partner, but there’s an important distinction in this year’s programme.
There are two separate car auctions, held under the auction house’s two brands.
On Saturday 14 November, The Iconic Sale will feature collectors’ cars, rare models and significant performance machinery.
Then, on Sunday 15 November, The Classic Sale will take place under the Classic Auctions brand, offering another opportunity to see a broad selection of enthusiast and collectors’ cars cross the block.
Both car sales are scheduled to begin at 10am, according to the auction house’s published programme.
Across the weekend, Iconic Auctioneers has 635 cars and motorcycles catalogued, including 161 cars in Saturday’s Iconic Sale, 216 in Sunday’s Classic Sale and 258 motorcycles. With further entries potentially being added, the figures may change before the event.
The auctions are part of a much larger programme encompassing cars, motorcycles and automobilia, with the organisers anticipating more than 500 vehicles across the event.
And there’s already some particularly interesting machinery entered.
Among the Saturday highlights are three cars from Jeremy Clarkson’s personal collection, all being offered without reserve.
There’s the 1982 Lancia Montecarlo Spider featured in the final episode of The Grand Tour.
A 1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 from the programme’s ‘Well Aged Scotch’ adventure.
And a 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V from ‘Lochdown’, reportedly still equipped with its nitrous oxide system and a set of bagpipes in the boot.
That should provide some entertaining bidding.
Other notable entries include Harry Metcalfe’s Jaguar XE SV Project 8 and a 1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante, described as one of just three examples built to its particular specification.
The Aston carries a pre-sale estimate of £350,000–£400,000.
At the other end of the performance-car spectrum is a Ford Focus RS Red Edition showing just nine delivery miles.
It will be fascinating to see how buyers respond to a modern performance Ford that has barely been used.
But the beauty of having two car auctions across the weekend is that there’s room for much more than headline-grabbing machinery.
The Classic Sale on Sunday should be particularly interesting for enthusiasts who enjoy the more accessible end of the market.
Often, those are the cars with the most relatable stories.
You can browse the latest catalogues and sale details on the Iconic Auctioneers website.
Sunday’s programme also includes an important motorcycle auction.
One of its headline entries is Mike Hailwood’s 1966 works Honda RC173, associated with his World Championship-winning season.
The machine carries an estimate of £750,000–£950,000.
It’s an extraordinary piece of motorcycle racing history and the sort of lot capable of attracting worldwide attention.
The sale also includes machines associated with some of the biggest names in motorcycle racing, including Joey Dunlop, John McGuinness and Phillip McCallen.
Even visitors with no intention of bidding should find plenty worth seeing.
An auction preview can be almost as enjoyable as the sale itself, particularly when it offers the opportunity to examine historically significant machinery at close quarters.
The show is introducing two new areas for 2026.
The YouTube Village will bring together creators including JayEmm on Cars, Tasty Classics, Driven by Meg, Garage of Luke and idriveaclassic.
It’s another sign of how much the classic vehicle world has changed.
An increasing amount of motoring history is now being documented through independent videos, restoration channels and enthusiasts sharing their discoveries online.
For those of us interested in barn finds, rescues and unusual projects, that’s a welcome development.
UK Barn Finds will also be joining the show’s YouTubers panel at 12.30pm on Sunday 15 November, sharing some of our experiences documenting classic vehicles and the stories behind them.
Meanwhile, the Zircotec Modified Zone in Hall 5 will feature 15 specially selected vehicles.
The line-up includes Chris Denn’s ‘Purist’ Mini, Arran Newman’s 175bhp Peugeot 106, an HKS-liveried 1983 Chevrolet C10 and a customised Ford Consul.
The modified scene is an important part of classic car culture, and it’s encouraging to see it given a dedicated area.
Of course, there’s another reason we enjoy shows like this.
The autojumble.
With more than 450 specialist traders and exhibitors expected, there’s going to be plenty to explore beyond the cars themselves.
Old parts.
Workshop equipment.
Obsolete accessories.
Rare spares.
And the occasional mystery item that you end up buying simply because you’ve never seen one before.
We’ve recently been enjoying researching some of Britain’s forgotten motoring accessories, and events like the NEC are exactly where those little pieces of history can still turn up.
There’s also a Restoration Workshop, with demonstrations covering subjects including lead loading, paint correction and body panel repairs.
For anyone tackling a project at home, a conversation with an experienced restorer can be worth the visit on its own.
The Sporting Bears will once again be offering their popular Dream Rides.
More than 100 cars are expected to be available for passenger rides, with donations supporting the club’s chosen charities.
And there will be plenty for families, including a dedicated Family Zone, miniature Land Rovers and Scalextric.
The Meet the Experts Theatre will feature familiar faces from motoring television, including Mike Brewer, Derek Matthewson, Sheldon Nichols, Will Trickett and Gus Gregory.
Discussions are expected to cover everything from high-mileage classics to the question of what actually qualifies as a classic car in 2026.
We suspect that last subject could keep people arguing long after the show closes.
The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show takes place at Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026.
Opening times are:
Friday 13 November: 9am–6pm
Saturday 14 November: 10am–6pm
Sunday 15 November: 10am–5pm
Tickets and visitor information are available through the official Classic Motor Show website.
Birmingham International railway station is adjacent to the NEC, with parking also available for those travelling by car.
For auction enthusiasts, Saturday features The Iconic Sale, while Sunday includes both The Classic Sale and the motorcycle auction.
It is worth checking the individual catalogues and auction schedules before travelling, particularly if you’re hoping to follow a specific vehicle through the sale.
Three thousand cars and motorcycles sounds impressive.
But for us, the most memorable exhibits are often the ones nobody was particularly expecting to see.
A forgotten family saloon.
An unusual competition car.
A decades-old restoration finally completed.
Or an everyday vehicle that has somehow survived when nearly all its contemporaries have disappeared.
That’s what makes the NEC show such a fascinating gathering.
And with this year’s Debutants theme encouraging clubs to bring something different, we suspect there will be plenty of interesting discoveries waiting among those seven halls.
The 2026 Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show is shaping up to be a fitting end to another busy year in the British classic vehicle world.
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