The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with discovery+, made a ‘triumphant’ return to Birmingham’s NEC over the weekend after last year’s postponement due to Covid.

A 1969 Triumph TR6 owned by Gary McVeigh won the coveted Meguiar’s Club Showcase trophy, while Jake Clappison followed in his dad Paul’s footsteps to win the public vote in the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership competition with his 1979 Triumph Spitfire. John and Jackie Cotterill won the Bike Pride of Ownership award with their Triumph Speed Twin motorcycle.

Show Director Lee Masters said: “We were thrilled to be back at the NEC and want to send our heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors, traders, exhibitors, car clubs and visitors who have supported us. The goodwill and love we have received has been beyond our wildest dreams. It has been an emotional show for all concerned.”

With around 3,000 cars on show across seven halls, 270 car clubs showcased various marques and models ranging from the AC Owners Club to the XR4 Register, celebrating milestone anniversaries that occurred in 2020 as well as 2021.

Silverstone Auctions had sales throughout the show, securing a whopping £8.3million worth of car sales and £550,000 of motorcycles in its first dedicated sale, both hammering away 81% of the respective catalogues. There was an additional £180,000 in automobilia sold with an 84% conversion rate.

The Sporting Bears Motor Club raised £28,913 from its popular Dream Rides. The ‘Bears’ gave ten-mile passenger rides to visitors in exchange for a charitable donation. The charities benefiting from this year’s show include Together 21, Keech Hospices, Derian House and Beaulieu Respite care unit.

A new feature for 2021 was ‘Our Friends Electric’ which put the spotlight on electric classic vehicles. Sceptical enthusiasts were thrilled to see a 1911 Baker Electric actually drive around the arena. This was followed by Richard Morgan of Electric Classic Cars’ converted VW Beetle from the TV show Vintage Voltage. EcoClassics’ 911, Westfields’ new prototype Sports and RBW Electric Classic Cars’ Roadster were also in motion along with Mike Brewer’s own Porsche Taycan.

Andrew Evanson, Senior Operations Manager of headline sponsor Lancaster Insurance, said: “It was amazing to see the classic car community reunite over the past three days. The show is always a calendar highlight but was something special this year. Thank you to all involved and we can’t wait to do it again next year.”

Other show highlights included the discovery+ Live Stage, where host Mike Brewer was joined by his Wheeler Dealers co-stars Marc ‘Elvis’ Priestley and Ant Anstead. Other stars appearing included Jimmy Doherty and Jimmy De Ville from Jimmy Doherty’s Dream Builds, Paul Cowland from Salvage Hunters Classic Cars, Helen Stanley from Motor Pickers, and Ant Partridge from Goblin Works Garage.

The Practical Classics team was joined by the Morris Marina Owner’s Club and Ital Register to frantically revive a 1971 1.3 Coupe which hadn’t run for 30 years, restoring it in front of the live audience. There were huge cheers when it fired up and drove off the stage at the end of Sunday’s show.

The next Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, will be held at Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 November 2022. Check the website www.necclassicmotorshow.com or sign up for the newsletter for the latest updates at www.necclassicmotorshow.com/newsletter.