Britain’s historic motoring world is full of remarkable people.
The restorers who spend years bringing forgotten machinery back to life.
The volunteers keeping museums and collections running.
The enthusiasts organising events, preserving records and making sure our motoring history isn’t lost.
And the younger generation finding their own ways into a hobby that means so much to so many of us.
Now, some of those people, projects and organisations are receiving well-deserved recognition.
The Royal Automobile Club has announced the finalists for its 2026 Historic Awards, with the winners to be revealed at its Pall Mall clubhouse in London on 19 November.
There are eight categories, covering everything from motorsport and restoration to journalism, museums, art and individual achievement.
And looking through the shortlist, we’re reminded just how much extraordinary work takes place behind the scenes in Britain’s historic vehicle community.
Some of the stories are particularly inspiring.
The Royal Automobile Club established its Historic Awards in 2019 to recognise excellence across Britain’s historic motoring and motorsport community.
Since then, more than 170 finalists have been recognised for their contributions.
The awards aren’t simply about the most expensive cars or the biggest events.
They acknowledge craftsmanship, dedication, creativity and the people who devote enormous amounts of time to preserving and celebrating motoring history.
For 2026, eight independent judging panels have selected three finalists in each category.
That means 24 finalists representing a remarkably diverse range of achievements.
And while some involve internationally significant machinery, others demonstrate just what can be accomplished through personal determination and enthusiasm.
We suspect the Restoration category will be particularly interesting to many UK Barn Finds readers.
And what a shortlist it is.
The three finalists represent very different periods of motoring history, but all have required an extraordinary level of dedication.
One of the oldest cars shortlisted is a 1904 Rolls-Royce 10 HP, restored by Fairbourne Carriages and Chris and Ben Petty for owner Terry Bramall.
This isn’t simply an early Rolls-Royce.
It’s the fourth production car built by the company and was exhibited at the Paris Salon in December 1904.
That made it the first production Rolls-Royce displayed to the public.
The three-year restoration involved extensive historical research and the recreation of its original Barker Park Phaeton coachwork, finished in Primrose Yellow with black lining.
The work required specialist coachbuilding techniques that very few businesses still possess.
It’s a wonderful example of why traditional restoration skills remain so important.
Without those skills, recreating a vehicle of this age to its original specification would be an enormously difficult undertaking.
Another finalist is the remarkable 1926 Parry Thomas Flatiron, restored by Geraint Owen.
Built by the celebrated racing driver and land-speed record holder J. G. Parry-Thomas, the Flatiron competed in the first two British Grands Prix at Brooklands.
It also established world endurance records and was later fitted with a diesel engine.
The car was dismantled during the 1950s, but fortunately survived.
Geraint acquired it in 2014 and spent 12 years undertaking a painstaking restoration in his home workshop.
Much of the work involved preserving as much original material as possible, rather than simply replacing everything with newly manufactured components.
Research undertaken during the project also helped establish exactly which of the two Flatiron cars had survived.
The restoration was completed in time for the centenary celebrations of the first British Grand Prix at Brooklands.
Twelve years of work to bring an extraordinary piece of British motorsport history back to life.
That’s quite an achievement.
Completing the Restoration shortlist is a 1940 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante, restored by Mark Lowther.
Mark acquired the Bugatti in 1994 as a badly deteriorated, non-running example.
What followed was an exceptionally long and demanding restoration project.
Rather than entrusting the entire job to a specialist company, Mark undertook much of the work himself, fitting it around his normal working life.
Evenings.
Weekends.
And countless hours of problem-solving.
The finished car went on to win its class at the 2025 Concours of Elegance.
It’s a remarkable example of what patience, determination and specialist knowledge can achieve.
And one that we suspect will resonate with anyone who’s ever found themselves wondering whether a restoration project might take rather longer than originally planned.
One of our favourite stories among this year’s finalists involves something rather different.
A motoring magazine.
Not one aimed at wealthy collectors or experienced enthusiasts.
But one created specifically for children.
Carl and Sam Purkins have been shortlisted in the Personal Endeavour category for their work producing Roadster! magazine.
The idea began when Sam, then just eight years old, asked his father why there wasn’t a motoring magazine for children.
Rather than dismissing the idea, they decided to create one.
Four years later, Roadster! has developed into an independent, not-for-profit publication that actively involves young enthusiasts.
Children aren’t simply treated as readers.
They’re encouraged to contribute, attend events, ask questions and develop their own interest in the motoring world.
The magazine now operates with an adult-supported but child-led approach, allowing younger contributors to develop their skills while receiving appropriate guidance.
We think that’s a wonderful initiative.
After all, if historic motoring is to have a healthy future, encouraging the next generation to become involved is just as important as preserving the vehicles themselves.
Another Personal Endeavour finalist is Ian Stanfield and the National Motor Museum engineering team.
Their achievement involves one of the most extraordinary British vehicles ever built.
The Sunbeam 1000hp.
This remarkable machine was driven by Sir Henry Segrave at Daytona Beach in 1927, when it achieved a land-speed record of 203.792mph.
Almost 100 years later, the National Motor Museum team has undertaken the enormous challenge of restoring it to working condition.
The project required years of research, engineering work and specialist knowledge.
And in 2026, that effort reached an important milestone when the restored machine was presented at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California.
The Sunbeam is also scheduled to return to Daytona Beach in March 2027 for the centenary of Segrave’s historic achievement.
It’s difficult to imagine a more fitting way to celebrate such an important piece of British engineering history.
The awards also recognise the people and organisations responsible for putting historic machinery back on track.
Three events have been shortlisted in the Competitive Event category.
The BRDC Classic brought a new approach to historic racing at Silverstone, with packed grids and a programme based around the circuit’s historic paddock.
The Generations Trophy introduced an innovative concept allowing members of different generations of racing families to share competition drives in pre-1966 MGBs.
And the Vintage & Historic Seaman Trophies Race revived an important pre-war racing event at Oulton Park.
The latter was brought back through the efforts of Tom and Helen Hardman, whose work also earned them a separate nomination for Personal Endeavour.
Meanwhile, the Motoring Spectacle category recognises three very different events.
The Brooklands Museum Grand Prix Centenary celebrated 100 years since Britain’s first Grand Prix, bringing together more than 120 Grand Prix and Formula One cars.
The Longleat Motor Show Weekender introduced historic motoring and motorsport displays to a spectacular setting, attracting more than 9,000 visitors.
And the Lydden Legend Festival celebrated the history of rallycross, featuring an extraordinary selection of competition machinery, including Group B cars.
All three demonstrate how historic motoring can appeal to audiences well beyond those who regularly attend classic car shows.
Three organisations have made the shortlist for Museums, Collections & Exhibits.
The Aston Martin Heritage Trust has been recognised for its engaging exhibitions, archives and efforts to make the marque’s history accessible to visitors.
The W.O. Bentley Memorial Foundation has received recognition for its museum, historic records and dedication to preserving the remarkable story of Bentley.
And County Classics Motor Museum has been shortlisted following an extraordinary period in its relatively short history.
The museum was established by enthusiast Patrick Hawkins, who transformed a former department store into a collection containing more than 100 classic cars and 140 motorcycles.
Sadly, Patrick died in August 2025, less than two years after seeing his ambition realised.
The museum has continued under its dedicated staff and volunteers, expanding its activities and developing new ways of engaging visitors.
It’s a particularly touching example of how an individual’s passion can create something that continues to inspire others.
For the first time, the 2026 Historic Awards include a dedicated Motoring Art category.
The finalists are Richard Neergaard, for Senna McLaren MP4/7; Ana Herrero, for Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Spider Lungo, 1932; and Ray West, for Outside In.
The judging panel includes acclaimed car designer Peter Stevens and portrait artist Louise Pragnell.
It’s an interesting addition to the awards, recognising the role of artistic creativity in celebrating automotive history.
The Outstanding Journalism category also features three notable projects.
Nathan Chadwick has been shortlisted for Saving Modena’s Crown Jewels, published in Magneto, exploring the efforts to prevent a historic Maserati collection from being broken up.
Giles Chapman is nominated for Car Design: The Britpop Years, published in Octane, examining an important period in British automotive design.
And Simon Hucknall is recognised for The Influencers, a substantial Classic & Sports Car feature exploring the 100 most influential classic cars of the 20th century.
It’s encouraging to see the research, writing and storytelling that help preserve motoring history receiving recognition alongside the vehicles themselves.
The Young Achiever category is another important part of the awards.
This year’s finalists are Gracie Haddon, Joe Mellor and Archie Bullett.
Each has made a significant contribution to historic motoring in a different way.
Gracie has been recognised for her work with StarterMotor, helping younger people gain access to the historic vehicle world and encouraging wider participation.
Joe has progressed from apprentice to business owner, acquiring the established Tim Walker Restorations business at just 29 years old.
And Archie has combined impressive historic racing achievements with developing his own engineering skills and business.
His performances in Edwardian racing machinery at Goodwood have been particularly impressive.
These are exactly the sorts of achievements that deserve attention.
Preserving motoring history requires more than keeping existing collections in good condition.
It also requires the skills, enthusiasm and determination of people who will take responsibility for those vehicles in the decades ahead.
For reference, here is the complete shortlist announced by the Royal Automobile Club.
You can find further details about the finalists and their achievements on the official Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards website:
2026 Historic Awards Finalists
The winners will be revealed at the Royal Automobile Club’s Historic Awards Dinner on Thursday 19 November 2026.
The black-tie event will take place at the Club’s Pall Mall headquarters in London, with television presenter and motorsport journalist Lee McKenzie hosting the evening.
The Club will also announce the recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award.
Tickets are available for members and non-members, with further information and booking details available here:
Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards Dinner
Looking through this year’s finalists, it’s striking just how many different people contribute to Britain’s motoring heritage.
Some devote years to a single restoration.
Others organise extraordinary events, maintain collections or research stories that might otherwise be forgotten.
There are people developing new skills, encouraging younger enthusiasts and creating opportunities for others to enjoy vehicles from the past.
And while the cars themselves are often the centre of attention, it’s the people behind them who make so much of this possible.
That’s something worth celebrating.
We wish all 24 finalists the very best of luck when the winners are announced in November.
Whatever the results, they’ve already made a valuable contribution to the preservation and enjoyment of Britain’s motoring history.
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