Classic Motor Show at Birmingham NEC November 2024

This was my seventh consecutive visit to this annual (except for 2021) event sponsored by Lancaster Insurance. I just cannot believe that every year I come across vehicles I have never seen before. That was certainly true this year. I have just looked back at last year’s report and see that I said this “in my opinion this was the best show ever”. Well, I felt exactly the same this year and I spent longer touring the various halls than ever before, taking 221 photos, not all of cars, I hasten to add.

I would like to pay tribute to all those enthusiasts whose mobility is impaired; whether in electric wheelchairs or with the aid of walking sticks or crutches they were out in force. Good on ’em!

I also said this last year and probably previous years too – “My approach to these and similar shows has always been to photograph rare and unusual cars that I encounter”. Last year it was a preponderance of cars of the Morris marque that caught my eye, this year it was Austin Healey; to the extent that I have had to dedicate an individual page to that marque (if you like Austin Healeys, click on the link at the bottom of this page). Here are the photos, categorised by marque in alphabetical order –

AC Cobra

ASTON MARTIN

2012/13 Aston Martin Rapide Jet 2+2 by Bertone

AUSTIN

Austin 7 Special with the name “The Toy” used in VSCC Special Championship race series.

1951 Austin A40 Sport. This is no ordinary A40 Sport, this car travelled around the world in a remarkable 21 days, covering nearly 10,000 land miles, driven by Austin’s PR officer, Alan Hess.

AUSTIN HEALEY

As I said in the introduction, there were so many Austin Healey and related exhibits that I have dedicated a a separate post to them. The link can be found at the bottom of this page.

BRISTOL

1948 Bristol 401 by Touring of Milan

1998 Bristol Blenheim

DARRACQ

1902 Darracq

DELAGE

1926 Delage 15 S 8

FORD

1963 Ford Anglia 105E customised including a 2.0Ltr. Pinto engine.

FRASER NASH/BMW

1935 Fraser Nash BMW 319/45

HILLMAN

c.1926 Hillman 14

1966 Hillman Imp Works Rally replica

1967 Hillman/Commer Imp van

JAGUAR

1950 Jaguar XK 120 roadster.

JENSEN

1956 Jensen 541 R

c. 1962 Jensen 541 S

JOWETT

1952 Jowett Javelin de luxe

1952 Jowett Jupiter roadster.

LANCIA

1919 Lancia Lambda Torpedo II

1989 Lancia Delta Integrale Group N rally car.

Lancia Delta Integrale

1931 MG 18/80 Sports Six

MORGAN

1910 Morgan Runabout.

1969 Morgan +8

1937 Morgan 4/4 Le Mans

NOBLE

1959 Noble 200, built in the U.K. based on a German Fuldamobil.

NOVA

1972 Nova

PEUGEOT

c.1988 Peugeot 309 GTi. This a little self indulgence – not a “classic” perhaps but I was Peugeot product manager, in the U.K., when the renowned 205 GTi and less renowned 309 GTi were launched; I have fond memories.