Each November, the Classic Motor Show at the NEC Birmingham brings together the very best of the classic motoring world. For 41 years, the show has been considered to be the season’s grand finale, and it’s a must-attend event for enthusiasts, collectors, restorers, and classic vehicle clubs alike. For us at ClassicLine Insurance, although we do not have a stand at the show, it is still one of the highlights of the year. It’s an incredible opportunity to meet our car club partners, catch up with clients, and, of course, admire thousands of stunning vehicles under one roof.
This year over 3,000 vehicles were on show across six halls and included 310+ vehicle clubs and 450 specialist traders and autojumble stalls. The theme for this year was “The Best of Both Worlds”, which perfectly summed up the event as a celebration of preservation and progress, originality and individuality, heritage and innovation, with clubs requested to display their own interpretation of the theme.
It is always a pleasure to spend the day visiting our partner car club stands, chatting with members, and having a good look around the displays. There was something for every motoring enthusiast this year, from beautifully restored classics to radically modified vehicles, so here are our Top 10 Highlights from this year’s show:
310+ Vehicle Clubs
The heart of the show! Classic car clubs and groups are the lifeblood of the cherished motoring sector, and they are a vital part of ClassicLine’s business too. So having over 310 clubs all present at the same venue is quite the spectacle, representing everything from pre-war veterans and post-war classics to kit cars, imports and modern classics. Single marque clubs such as the TVR Car Club, Jaguar Drivers Club and The Independent Porsche Enthusiasts Club put on excellent displays in Hall 1. In Hall 3, we enjoyed the Sunbeam Lotus Drivers Club and Jowett Car Club displays. Hall 4 features clubs catering for all the Triumph, Volvo and Vauxhall car models. Hall 5 showcased all the incredible Rootes Car Clubs to name just a few, and Hall 8 was dedicated to fantastic Fords and Minis.
The Shropshire Spitfire
We’ve been following the Shropshire Spitfire Project since the beginning, and it’s a story of genuine craftsmanship and car club community spirit! As a project sponsor, providing a year’s classic car insurance for the vehicle, it was such a delight to see this Triumph Spitfire 4 MKII unveiled and proudly displayed on the Triumph Sports Six Club stand. Having gone through a full nut and bolt restoration, the car is set to be auctioned in 2026 raising vital funds for the Severn Hospice in Shropshire.
Missed the full story? You can read all about this community classic car restoration project here.
Military Vehicles Display
The Military Vehicle Trust brought a new element to the show this year, honouring 80 years since the end of WWII with a commemorative showcase of incredible military vehicles, including trucks, tanks, SAS Jeep, motorcycles, armoured vehicles alongside a fun desert scene. As the event usually takes place around Remembrance Sunday, the display included a reflective memorial. A particular highlight was the 1939 Mercury Eight Series 99A Estate Car used by famous English entertainer George Formby for E.N.S.A (Entertainments National Service Association) tours during WWII.
Scooters and Motorcycles Area
A brilliant addition to Hall 2, the Scooters and vintage motorcycles section was buzzing with two wheeled nostalgia. As a scooter insurance specialist, we are always pleased to see a strong selection of scooters and vintage motorcycles on display from clubs including the Awfully Pleasant Scooter Association, Walsall Collective Scooter Group and Maico Owners Club as well as the BSA, Triumph motorcycles and Royal Enfield owners’ clubs. The Maico Owners Club brought a slice of scootering history to the show with the Maicoletta, an iconic scooter from the golden age of the 1950s and 60s.
Best of Both Worlds
One of our favourite themes so far! “The Best of Both Worlds”, celebrated individuality and creativity showing how preservation and personalisation can coexist. Having insured modified cars for over 40 years, we loved seeing this sector of the community so well represented. The Model A Ford Club of Great Britain achieved this perfectly, showcasing a mixture of original examples and vehicles used and enjoyed by vintage hotrodders on the beach at Pendine Sands, time trials and the drag strip. As did the SAAB Enthusiasts Club with a stunning Best of Both Worlds example, a red custom SAAB 95 displayed alongside a classic SAAB 96.
Heritage and History
Many clubs marked significant milestone anniversaries for their marques and models at the show. The Reliant Owners Club celebrated the 90th anniversary of Reliant and the 50th anniversary of the Reliant Kitten, the Jowett Car Club celebrated 75 years of the Jowett Jupiter, and the Lotus Grand Tourers Club marked 50 years of the Lotus Eclat. The XJS Club enjoyed a golden celebration too for the much loved Jaguar XJS. The Isetta Owners Club of Great Britian marked 70 years since the first model rolled off the
production line. At the other end of the spectrum, the Wolseley Register, commemorated the last Wolseley ever produced exactly 50 years ago, the 18-22 “Wedge”.
Anniversaries
Speaking of milestones, some clubs celebrated their own anniversaries since formation. It was fantastic to see how these clubs have grown and thrived since those early days. The TVR Car Club pulled out all the stops to celebrate their 60th anniversary with an outstanding display.
Also observing a significant moment, the Singer Owners Club marked 150 years since the inception of Singer & Co.
Competition Cars
Motorsport and rallying legends were well represented this year. From World Cup Rally Escorts and World Rally Championship Talbot Sunbeam Lotuses to a pole position Lancia LC2 on the Lancia Motor Club stand and a recently restored Jaguar Mark II ‘JAG 400’ ex-competition car from the early 1960s on the Jaguar Drivers’ Club stand.
Trade Classics Giveaway
Our good friends at Trade Classics were running another showstopper car giveaway, a rare UK RHD Alfa Romeo 156 GTA – whoever wins this is very lucky indeed! A new giveaway will be launching soon; in the meantime you can catch the Trade Classics team at their upcoming Classics Coffee Morning at Gilks Café on the 22nd November 2025.
Meguire’s Club Showcase
Running for 20 years now, the Meguiar’s Club Showcase is a show within a show! Each car represented on the stand has already won their club competition, but only one is crowned “Best in Show”. This years award went to the stunning Cortina, but we particularly enjoyed seeing the 1968 Volkswagen Beetle, the 1950 Tempo Matador, and the 1955 Zephyr Zodiac spotted at the NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals a few years ago.
As the sun sets on what has been another fantastic show, we’re already looking forward to next year. The NEC Classic Motor Show will be back in 2026. Save the date, 6-8 November, 2026! A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to chat with us over the weekend and to all the incredible clubs, organisers, and exhibitors who make this event so special.
If you attended this year’s NEC Classic Motor Show, we’d love to hear your highlights.
Enjoy the photos!
