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Vote for car of the year

Historic motoring fans have until 31 October to vote online for the Car of the Year in the 2013 International Historic Motoring Awards. The awards celebrate the ‘best of the best' in the international historic motoring industry, and the Car of the Year category gives enthusiasts the chance to vote for their favourite from a list of very special historic cars that have made headlines worldwide in the past year.

This year's nominees have two very hard acts to follow: in 2011 the award was won by one of the two surviving examples of Porsche's first-ever model, the Type 64 Rekordwagen, while in 2012 the winner was the magnificent ‘Birkin' Bentley, which set a world record for a British car at auction when it sold for £5 million last year.

The Car of the Year nominees for 2013 are:

Mercedes-Benz W196: Fangio's fantastic steed is on the list not because it's currently the most expensive car ever sold at auction, but because it was wonderful to see it in public after years hidden away.

Bugatti 57SC Aerolithe recreation: The original is long lost, but this recently completed recreation is built in magnesium alloy, just as the original is thought to have been. It's been displayed around the world during 2013.

Porsche 911 RSR: The legendary winner of the 1973 Targa Florio, which beat Ferrari and Alfa Romeo against the odds, underwent a full restoration in 2013 ready for a return to the event 40 years on.

Blue Bird V: Malcolm Campbell's 301.129mph 1935 record-breaker is back in the UK for only the second time in its life, and has made star appearances at Goodwood and the National Motor Museum.

SkyfallAston Martin DB5: Cinema audiences across the world gasped in delight as 007 pulled open the garage doors to reveal the glorious DB5, re-establishing it as the most famous car in the world.

Leyland P76: The winner of the Peking to Paris Challenge survived a 33-day, 7610-mile journey across some of the most inhospitable terrain in the world, driven by 81-year-old Gerry Crown.

Votes can be made online at www.historicmotoringawards.com.

The results will be announced during a gala celebration at the magnificent St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London on Thursday 14 November. Tickets for what promises to be a memorable event are now on sale, and cost £150pp (plus VAT), to include a three-course meal with wine. Tickets are available via the Awards' website. Visit www.historicmotoringawards.com.