From a HEMI-swapped Datsun to a nut & bolt Charger win and a pristine ’78 Corolla with 23k miles – the iconic halls of the NEC delivered one of the most eclectic classic-car weekends in years
Let me pull you into it: vast halls, thousands of gleaming machines, petrol and polish in the air – that was the vibe inside the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show 2025 at the The NEC Birmingham. I wandered the aisles with my good mate Sy (Founder of Drivers Union), trying to take it all in: club stands, traders, rare models, and some genuinely wild builds. It’s a show that doesn’t just showcase classics – it celebrates them with a roar.
The sheer scale of it
The 2025 show plates were nothing short of staggering: over 3,000 cars and bikes on display. More than 300 clubs, hundreds of traders, and the UK’s largest indoor autojumble. If you thought classic-car shows were niche – this one blew that idea right out of the garage. And it was packed – heaving with classic car fans and petrolheads – sometimes you literally had to fight your way through the crowds (this is a good thing!).
Walking through the halls you saw everything: from immaculate concours winners to scruffy barn-finds with character in spades. You had off-roaders, hot hatches, supercars, kit cars, and fully restored icons. The diversity reminded me that the classic car arena is not easily defined, except by one word: passion.
The cars that made me stop
Here are a few that grabbed my attention:
- A 1978 Toyota Carina with just 23,000 miles on the clock, estimated for sale at £20k-25k – bright yellow, showroom-fresh interior.
- A HEMI-swapped 260Z, JDM meets mighty muscle, proving you don’t need to go to SEMA for extreme builds!
- A tidy Daihatsu Charade GTti, yes, a 1.0-litre turbo pocket rocket, showing that the show isn’t just about high-end exotica.
- A tough fire-and-rescue 6×6 Range Rover lurking in the corner of the auction arena, somewhat unexpected, totally brilliant.
- Club stands where owners beamed like kids at the fair – chrome glinting, stories flowing.
Auction frenzy meets club culture
While much of the show was about seeing, talking and dreaming, there was a serious marketplace happening too. The Iconic Auctioneers Super Auction pulled in hundreds of lots – a mix of investment pieces, project finds and “why-not” specials.
It felt like a healthy balance: high end meets grassroots. The hot hatches and one-owner classics drew just as many glances as the £200k exotica, and sometimes with more heart.
Price surprises & value revelations
Here are some price listings that made me raise an eyebrow:
- Corolla at ~£20-25 k – for a car that many might overlook, that’s serious money.
- Manual Porsche 928S at £10-12 k – it won’t be cheap to run, but an icon for that money? C’mon!
- An ex-Colin Chapman Lotus Elite Prototype, Ferrari 208 and Harry Metcalf’s Lamborghini Espada, reminding us that rarity and pedigree still matter.
- A tantalisingly tempting pair of BMW E46 M3s.
This was a reminder: shopping for a classic is as much about emotion as it is about value. That quirky crusty sad-face in the corner might speak to you louder than the top-ticket star.
Buy, Sell, Look, Learn, Imagine…
If you’re heading to shows, buying, or simply dreaming – here are my top tips:
- Don’t overlook the “small” cars. Passion, condition and originality can matter more than marquee badges.
- Club stands are gold. Speak to owners, get the story, peek under the bonnet – it’s fuel for your own car aspirations.
- Auction listings are interesting – but the show is about connection. Who built the car? What’s the story? That’s what you’ll remember.
- Classic car culture is alive, varied and diverse. Whether you’re into a six-figure exotic or a £10k fun daily driver, there’s a place for you.
The NEC show experience: we walked (and walked and walked and walked!), we gasped, we nodded in appreciation. If you’re a classic car lover, this one deserves a tick in your calendar (and save up some money – just in case!). I’ll be back next year with more stories, more metal, and more moments to make your garage dreams go vroom.
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