Heroes and Heroines was the theme at the Lancaster Insurance NEC Classic Motor Show from 11-13 November, with clubs interpreting it in different ways. Capri Club International, Mansfield & Notts Branch, for example, had built several brilliant backdrops including Guitar Hero, Star Wars and Batman. It was just edged for the Best Themed Stand in the Classic & Sports Car Club Awards (sponsored by Lancaster) by a wonderful tableau staged by the Sunbeam Talbot Alpine Register, which featured cars driven by Sheila van Damm and Stirling Moss. Both had great success on the Coupe des Alpes, van Damm winning the Coupe des Dames on the ’53 event, while Moss won three consecutive Coupe d’Or titles. The two cars had not been together for 60 years. An astonishing display of Trident machinery helped Maserati Club UK to romp away with the gong for Best Large Stand in the Awards. A remarkable group of mostly competition cars featured five Maserati-engine Coopers, including three T51s and a brace of Monacos – Michael O’Shea’s having its engine lid open so visitors could drool over its stunning quad-cam V8. Car of Show also featured on the stand: Tony Young’s beautiful 1970 Ghibli targa, the only one built. Across the aisle, an outstanding set of Molsheim’s finest – including a two-tone, ex-Jack Lemon Burton Type 46S – landed the Bugatti Owners’ Club the prize for Most Interesting Selection of Cars. As well as assorted Types 19, 22, 35, 44 and 53, pride of place went to a Type Baby, one of about 450 children’s racers built from 1927-’30. Here’s a full list of winners, including those decided before the event: Best Club Website Highly commended: Honda S800 Sports Car Club and Skoda Owners Club Winner: Mk1 Golf Owners’ Club Most Improved Club Magazine Highly commended: 6/80 & MO Club Winner: Freewheel, Rover Sports Register Club Magazine of the Year Highly commended: Idle Chatter, The 1100 Club, and TR Action, TR Register Winner: Sprint, TVR Car Club Best Club Run/Rally Highly commended: De Dion-Bouton Club Paris to Ostend Tribute Winner: Jensen Owners’ Club Turin 1966 Best Club Show/Event Highly commended: De Dion-Bouton Horseless Carriage Celebration Winner: 924 Owners’ Club 92forty Most Interesting Selection of Cars Highly commended: Association of Rootes Car Clubs, and Veteran Car Club of Great Britain Winner: Bugatti Owners’ Club Best Themed Stand Highly commended: Capri Club International, Mansfield & Notts Winner: Sunbeam Talbot Alpine Register Best Small Stand Highly commended: Frisky Register Winner: Allard Owners’ Club Best Medium Stand Highly commended: Panther Car Club Winner: Austin Counties Car Club Best Large Stand Winner: Maserati Club UK C&SC Special Award (for the car that stole the judges’ hearts) Winner: Martin Collins’ 1959 Fairthorpe Atom Major Car of the Show Reserve Cars of Show: JHW’s Toyota 2000GT and Dave Watson’s Messerschmitt Winner: Tony Young’s 1970 Maserati Ghibli targa Best Contribution by a Youngster Dom Smith, The Imp Club Best Contribution to Charity Sporting Bears Motor Club Club of the Year Morris Minor Owners’ Club Club Personality of the Year Martyn Wray, Singer Owners’ Car Club Lancaster Insurance Club Initiative of the Year National Historic Vehicle Survey, Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs
Chief sub-editor David Evans owns a BMW 2002tii and Citroën GSA that he drives to classic car events up and down the country