Record number of visitors flock to 2016 NEC Classic Motor Show

Motoring enthusiasts flocked to Birmingham's NEC at the weekend for the traditional season-closing show. Around 71,000 petrolheads made the trip to the UK's largest indoor car show, which is sponsored by Lancaster Insurance.

With 2500 classic cars and motorcycles spanning one million square feet, there was plenty to see, ranging from a 1869 Tasker B2 ‘Little Giant’ engine to the enormous Bloodhound SSC show car that welcomed visitors to the hall one. From Penny Farthings to a Jet-powered boat, the line-up of vehicles was as diverse as ever as the 273 exhibiting clubs celebrated the show’s Heroes and Heroines theme.

Event director Daniel Nwaokolo said,, 'Another amazing year. The clubs continue to astound us with their valued dedication to creating the best displays year after year. Our new features proved extremely popular, especially the Drive a Classic Car Experience, and we have early reports of excellent sales from our traders and dealers. I’d like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and support, and the visitors for making this year’s show the best season finale ever.'

The Meguiar’s Club Showcase gathered 16 cars from club events held across the UK for its grand finale. With a mixture of marques displayed, it was Andy Nash from Dover in his restored 1966 Mini Traveller who took the title for 2016.

Andy Nash's restored 1966 Mini Traveller won the club showcase.

On the Wheeler Dealers Live Stage, host Mike Brewer was joined by Edd China, Ant Anstead, and Fuzz Townshend. There were also appearances by British Racing legend Sir Stirling Moss, Engine Addicts’ Jimmy De Ville, US reality star Jesse McClure, and Richard Noble OBE.

The Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership saw 20 finalists battle it out in a public vote. The winner was James Cribb from Winsford in the 1989 Austin Metro City; second place went Stuart Turp from Barnsley in the 1969 Ford Capri Mk1, while Mark McClelland from Kilmarnock, Scotland, in the 1984 Vauxhall Astra GTE took third.

All the highlights from the Classic Motor Show 2016

Richard Morley, divisional head for Lancaster Insurance, said, 'This year's show has once again blown us away and shows the dedication, pride and passion of our industry. There have been so many highlights this weekend, from having an amazing and eclectic array of British classics on our stand, seeing James and his '89 Austin Metro City 'Gerty' take the top honour in the Pride of Ownership competition and of course Margo finding a new home through Silverstone Auctions. We’re so proud and delighted to have raised awareness of prostate cancer within the community, as well an incredible amount for Prostate Cancer UK, what a way to end the year!'

Silverstone Auctions’ two-day sale delivered an 80% sale rate and total sales of £5.8million which is its best ever NEC sale if not best ever sale. The biggest seller of the auction was a 1957 Porsche 365A T1 Speedster sold for £306,563. The 1958 Lotus Elise restored by Ant Anstead for a For the Love of Cars special to be aired on Sunday, 20 November, sold for £121,500, while Lancaster Insurance’s restored Mini called 'Margo’ sold for £12,938, with all proceeds going to Prostate Cancer UK. 

Restored Viva GT was a big attraction on the Vauxhall stand.

There were big reveals with Vauxhall presenting a Viva GT that has been a two-year labour of love for the restoration team, whilst Corgi UK unveiled a new model of a Sunbeam Alpine for 2017. 

Sporting Bears raised £45,000, which is set to rise once they have counted all the coins. Additional to the ‘Dream Rides’, they also raffled a ride in a £2million Pagani Huayra on Saturday and Sunday. US TV star Jesse McClure also auctioned Dream Rides in his TransAm called Lilly, raising £500 towards the Sporting Bears total. 

The 2017 Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show will take place from Friday to Sunday 10-12 November. For more information, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com.

• See all our coverage from this year's Classic Motor Show