NEC Classic Car Show 2025
Discussion
I've been going for more than 20 years, back in the days when there were two shows (April & November).
Yes, there are predictable elements. Still, each year there are a couple of surprises and gaps in my knowledge. I enjoy the game of going round the cars-for-sale and trying to guess the asking price. There might be something as simple as a Viva estate, that still looks pretty damn stylish. The Sporting Bears always have cars that I like the look of and have yet to be taken out in, be they old or new. Last year I had chance to talk to James Elliott of Octane (ex-C&SC) with whom I had previously shared Lotus emails.
Still excited at the prospect and I don't care if I sound like an anorak.
Yes, there are predictable elements. Still, each year there are a couple of surprises and gaps in my knowledge. I enjoy the game of going round the cars-for-sale and trying to guess the asking price. There might be something as simple as a Viva estate, that still looks pretty damn stylish. The Sporting Bears always have cars that I like the look of and have yet to be taken out in, be they old or new. Last year I had chance to talk to James Elliott of Octane (ex-C&SC) with whom I had previously shared Lotus emails.
Still excited at the prospect and I don't care if I sound like an anorak.
I'm in two minds about this.
On the one hand: I used to be a regular visitor, on my own or with my dad. Always enjoyed it and, as Lotusgone said, there's always something new to learn / see. Also, where I live means I can get the train to Brum International really easily, meaning I don't have to endure the NEC car parking. My eldest is 18 this month, and has been with me a couple of times, showing great interest in older cars, thus helping me keep motivated.
On the other hand: I broke my leg 6 years ago and in the last year it's really caused me some discomfort and reduced my ability to walk comfortably for more that a mile or two. My dad is now 80 and isn't up for the rigours of a crowded NEC any more. And it is crowded: despite sprawling over many more halls than it used to, it's still a jostle.
I still consider it a good day out, but it's expensive for what it is. I'll leave it to the week before to see how my leg feels before making a last-minute decision.
On the one hand: I used to be a regular visitor, on my own or with my dad. Always enjoyed it and, as Lotusgone said, there's always something new to learn / see. Also, where I live means I can get the train to Brum International really easily, meaning I don't have to endure the NEC car parking. My eldest is 18 this month, and has been with me a couple of times, showing great interest in older cars, thus helping me keep motivated.
On the other hand: I broke my leg 6 years ago and in the last year it's really caused me some discomfort and reduced my ability to walk comfortably for more that a mile or two. My dad is now 80 and isn't up for the rigours of a crowded NEC any more. And it is crowded: despite sprawling over many more halls than it used to, it's still a jostle.
I still consider it a good day out, but it's expensive for what it is. I'll leave it to the week before to see how my leg feels before making a last-minute decision.
I've been a few times, but every year ticket and parking prices just make me wonder why I bothered trekking over 100 miles to get there and see mostly the same cars I've seen before or elsewhere.
I can see some fantastic cars at a free monthly meet 10 miles away!
TBF I've never got over the Motor Show being moved from Earls Court to the middle of nowhere in the Midlands.
I can see some fantastic cars at a free monthly meet 10 miles away!
TBF I've never got over the Motor Show being moved from Earls Court to the middle of nowhere in the Midlands.
I'm intending to go. We used to get a car full together, to share fuel and parking costs, but gradually most of the others have dropped out for various reasons so I'll be going on the train. I mainly go to catch up with some people on our club stand and have a good look around the autojumble, though the latter isn't as good as it used to be, like all of them in my experience.
I have a club discount code that knocks £4 off an adult single day ticket, PM me if you want it.
I have a club discount code that knocks £4 off an adult single day ticket, PM me if you want it.
Mr Tidy said:
TBF I've never got over the Motor Show being moved from Earls Court to the middle of nowhere in the Midlands.
Personally I thought it was a good thing, but that's because as a yoof I lived in North Wales and it was far easier to get to the Midlands than to London. My first was 1980, where as an 11 year old I swerved the 4-deep throng to catch a glimpse of the new miniMetro in favour of a gawp at something called an Audi quattro.Once fully grown I found myself as a sales exec for Peugeot, and we were encouraged to go to Earl's Court in October 1995 for the UK reveal of the 406 (how is that now 30 years ago?!). Unfortunately the rug was pulled from under our feet a bit by BMW, whose E39 5-Series was also being revealed to a clamouring UK public following its official launch in Frankfurt the month before. Both would go on to greatness, albeit probably only the BMW will be celebrated as a classic in future.
Other new car launches at that show fell into three categories:
Legendary:
-Lotus Elise
-MGF
-Alfa Romeo GTV
Significant:
-Vauxhall Vectra
-Caterham 21*
-Renault Megane
Meh:
-Nissan Almera
-FIAT Brava
-Chrysler Neon
-Rover 200
-Ford Fiesta Mk4
* Should have been a game-changer, but missed the mark stylistically and - like Morgan - Caterham customers wanted their cars to look like Caterhams.
Turbobanana said:
Personally I thought it was a good thing, but that's because as a yoof I lived in North Wales and it was far easier to get to the Midlands than to London.
I lived in Surrey and first went to Earls Court in the 60s. Dad picked me up from primary school on his motorbike that got parked at Wimbledon then Earls Court was just a Tube ride away.It then became an annual event that I later went to with mates in the 70s by train and Tube, but as we didn't have cars the Midlands was like another country!
We liked the TVR stands back then for some reason.
Rob 131 Sport said:
I ve been going every year for the past 20 years (with the exception of the 4 years living abroad and covid) and always enjoyed the event.
However, I m not sure I ll go this year as like the IOM TT, it s all becoming a little bit too familiar.
Likewise Rob but rather than living abroad the last three years I have just stayed at home and concentrated on the Earls Barton gatherings and other local Shows . To be honest with the exception of the one or two disappointments I have had at the Ace Cafe its been much more preferable However, I m not sure I ll go this year as like the IOM TT, it s all becoming a little bit too familiar.
Turbobanana said:
* Should have been a game-changer, but missed the mark stylistically and - like Morgan - Caterham customers wanted their cars to look like Caterhams.
I quite liked the styling but it was just too small – it looked like it should be slightly more practical car than the 7, but wasn't. i think if it had been more MX5 sized it would have ben more successful.I am a regular attendee at the NEC Motorcycle Show but will be attending the NEC Classic Car Show for the first time this year and I had a couple of questions that I am hoping previous attendees can help with.
Out of the 3 days does anyone have a recommendation for the best day to attend?
We intend to travel up by car from Dorset the night before but it looks to be a lot lot bigger than the Motorcycle Show so is it doable in one day?
Many thanks
Out of the 3 days does anyone have a recommendation for the best day to attend?
We intend to travel up by car from Dorset the night before but it looks to be a lot lot bigger than the Motorcycle Show so is it doable in one day?
Many thanks
iansp said:
I am a regular attendee at the NEC Motorcycle Show but will be attending the NEC Classic Car Show for the first time this year and I had a couple of questions that I am hoping previous attendees can help with.
Out of the 3 days does anyone have a recommendation for the best day to attend?
We intend to travel up by car from Dorset the night before but it looks to be a lot lot bigger than the Motorcycle Show so is it doable in one day?
Many thanks
I would suggest Sunday, the show is open from 9-6pm so it would allow you the longest possible time to view everything (unless you go for more days) we find it ok to see everything in a day but you have to be clear on arrival what you are more interested in, otherwise time just goes fast and you can’t get round. It also depends on how fast you walk (are mobile enough although motor chairs are on hand for disabled) it’s a great show and you’ll enjoy it regardless. Out of the 3 days does anyone have a recommendation for the best day to attend?
We intend to travel up by car from Dorset the night before but it looks to be a lot lot bigger than the Motorcycle Show so is it doable in one day?
Many thanks
I would pre book the car parking as it’s cheaper, and we always arrive early as it’s a little bit of a walk from car parks to entrance. Enjoy.
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