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Motoring enthusiasts head to Birmingham for 30th Lancaster Classic Motor Show

Motoring enthusiasts from all over the UK and beyond will head to Birmingham this weekend for the 30th Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, Britain's biggest indoor motoring event. Held at the NEC from Fri 15th to Sunday 17th November, around 60,000 passionate petrol heads are expected to attend.

In 1984, the year that Peugeot launched the 205 GTi and Austin Rover unveiled the Montego, classic enthusiast John Cole launched the show as the classic alternative to the then based British International Motorshow.

Now 30 years later, the British International Motorshow and its showcase for modern vehicles is no more, yet the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show has gone from strength to strength, reflecting the classic motoring market and becoming the biggest motoring event in the UK.

Its worth to the economy - both internally and through exports - and the number of people it directly employs have never been greater.

The myth of classic cars as an exclusively wealthy hobby has been proved wrong, as according to the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, 31% of historic vehicle owners have a total household income of under £25,000 and, despite the news headlines driven by megabucks classics, a mammoth 68% of classics being valued at under £10,000.

More than 850,000 vehicles made before 1981 still survive, with minimal environmental impact, with 82% of them used no more than twice a month and the entire hobby contributing only 0.24% of the UK's annual mileage.

From its humble beginnings of two halls (17,000 sqm) and around 70 clubs, the Classic Motor Show now spans 11 halls (82,000 sqm) and hosts 250 motoring clubs who create amazing displays of rare and stunning cars. Some 1,500 cars and 300 motorcycles will be on display, covering every motoring taste - from traditional British classics to modern supercars and everything in between.

This year's show is set to be the biggest yet, with special guests such as motorsport legend Sir Stirling Moss and 70s TV icon David Soul who will be reunited with the Gran Torino from Starsky & Hutch, as part of the show's Classics Reunited theme.

The 30th year also sees a new headline sponsor - Lancaster Insurance Services. Mike Edgeley, MD of Lancaster Insurance Services said "We're proud to be main sponsor of The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show for its 30th year. This is a fortuitous link with Lancaster as we're 30 next year and it's good to share our heritage with each other; we're both ensuring there are classics now and in the future.

Lancaster's been exhibiting for a while now and we've seen the show go from strength to strength. I remember my first thought of the show was ‘this is a classic car enthusiasts dream', the autojumble is like being a kid in a sweet shop and the effort the clubs go to is phenomenal; it really does show why they're the backbone of this market."

So the show may have changed massively over its 30 years, but one thing remains true - wherever your classic love lies, you're bound to find it at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show. For the latest updates, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com.