For 40 years, there has been only one place to go if you are a classic car fan or owner, whether for advice, spares or a new project: the NEC Classic Motor Show. Our reporter Jacob Schofield provides his review of the event.Â
Since 2013, I have enjoyed visiting the NEC every November – and being able to wander around the seven halls and over 3,000 cars that make up the Classic Motor Show.
It is billed as “the biggest classic motoring celebration” and features 310 different clubs, specialising in everything from the classic Mini or VW Beetle, to Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Maseratis.
The sheer number of owners’ groups mean that nearly all brands are represented somewhere in one of the halls.
Iconic Auctioneers hosted their biggest ever sale – the tempting lots including Rowan Atkinson’s Jaguar E-Type, an ex-Hugh Grant Aston Martin Vanquish and Paul Weller’s Mercedes.
Fans of all cars were well catered for in 2025 with the TVR club bringing a one-of-one prototype Speed 12 and the Fiat owners had all four generations of Panda (including the brand-new Grande Panda).
The show is also home to the biggest indoor autojumble in the UK, with 450 traders selling brochures, model cars, spare parts and anything else you could possibly imagine.
Of course, the show is not just about cars – with plenty of food and drinks on offer and some more unusual trade stands with floral shirts, waterproof clothing and even drones available to purchase.
This year was bigger and better than ever before, with a massive selection of big stars appearing: Mike Brewer, Tiff Needell, Mat Watson and Peter Stephenson to name a few.
The highlight for me was a certain Richard Hammond (you may just have heard of him before), who was there to promote his new gin and whisky, signing a few bottles along the way.
Areas of the show are also interactive, with a restoration theatre where visitors can have a go themselves, the Sporting Bears charity car rides and the ‘Meet the Experts’ live stage, hosting chats and interviews with celebs throughout the weekend.
There were rally cars, race cars, TV cars (Richard Hammond’s Opel Kadett ‘Oliver’ made an appearance) and, for the first time, modified cars.
Ticket prices are perhaps the only downside, with on the door cost ranging from £39.50 to £46 for a single adult ticket.
There are family prices available also, as well as a range of discount codes often shared by the various clubs and exhibitors.
Parking can be booked in advance just like the tickets, which gives a reduction on the £18 day price.
The show has been going for over 40 years now, and it is getting larger and more exciting all the time.
If you own a classic car, love meeting celebrities, are an avid automobilia collector, or are simply after a family day out, you really need to consider the Classic Motor Show.
More details on next year’s show, to be held from November 6-8, can be found here on the NEC Classic Motor Show website.
Enjoyed this article? You can also read my previous StoryHub post on the widely forgotten 50th anniversary of the Vauxhall Chevette here.
