15 eye-catching cars at 2024’s NEC Classic Motor Show

Classic celebrations

More than 3000 classic cars and ’bikes, plus a record-breaking 330 clubs, filled the NEC in Birmingham, UK, from 8-10 November 2024, when the Classic Motor Show returned for its 40th anniversary.

The event is spread across eight huge exhibition halls, so picking some highlights isn’t easy.

Nonetheless, here are 15 vehicles that caught our eye at the UK’s biggest indoor classic car gathering, presented in chronological order. Enjoy!

1. 1902 Dennis 8hp

If you jumped in a time machine and travelled back 122 years, this is the sort of machine you’d see on the road.

Since 1936, this Dennis 8hp has taken part in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 72 times, including this year’s trip, which took place on 3 November.

Amazingly, this centenarian has finished the event on every occasion.

2. 1957 Frisky Sport

This diminutive two-seater is a one-of-two prototype that features subtle changes from the production models, including a rubber rear bumper and polished grilles.

In 1958, the car pictured here completed a c800-mile journey from London to Monte Carlo in about 23 hours.

3. 1960 Ford Cortina II Lotus by Crayford

Following a one-off Lotus Cortina convertible, coachbuilder Crayford created 40 Ford Cortina II Lotus drop-tops.

After a rear-end shunt, this car was taken off the road in 2001.

The nut-and-bolt restoration that followed included 60 brand-new panels and the work took more than 20 years to complete.

4. 1960 Morris Minor Million

Morris celebrated production of the millionth Minor with a lilac-coloured limited edition. 

Just 350 were built and this car, 1 MHU, was the first.

It was photographed with the model’s designer, Alec Issigonis, and Morris founder Lord Nuffield in December 1960.

It was then used as a promotional vehicle and travelled to the USA, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere.

5. 1961 Austin A35 Countryman

This everyday workhorse belonged to its first owner, John Smith, from 1961 until 2011, when his nephew offered it for sale via the Austin A30/A35 Owners’ Club. 

Although it was in good condition, having always been stored in a garage in Elephant and Castle, London, new owner Richard Dracup embarked on a lengthy restoration that was completed in time for the club’s International Rally in 2018.

6. 1965 Ferrari 330GT

John Surtees, the only person to win Grand Prix World Championships on four wheels and two, was given this 330GT by Enzo Ferrari.

Following Surtees’ ownership, the car went to Switzerland and then the USA, via importer Luigi Chinetti, before it returned to the UK in 2015.

7. 1970 Ford Corsair

In the mid-1960s, Eric Jackson and Ken Chambers hopped in a Ford Corsair for a 30,000-mile trip around the world. 

The pair returned to London just 43 days after they departed, having travelled to the USA, Australia, India and elsewhere.

The original car, 590 UOO, no longer exists, but this is a faithful recreation.

8. 1973 Mazda RX-4

This bright-yellow Mazda RX-4 was one of 400 examples officially imported to the UK in period.

Aftermarket wheels aside, it’s all original and has never been restored.

In 2007, this rotary-engined coupé was recommissioned and the owner has put 20,000 miles under its wheels since.

9. 1979 Dodge Spacevan

Granted, this is a classic van, not a classic car, but we hope you can forgive the brief diversion.

TV licence dodgers could be tracked down by this Dodge-based ‘Television Detector’.

Apparently, the kitted-out Spacevan used triangulation to identify fee-evading households.

Many people dismissed the technology, but a BBC Radio 4 documentary proved it worked.

The vehicle on display at the Classic Motor Show is believed to be the sole survivor.

10. 1979 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Right-hand-drive Volkswagen Golf GTIs were available to UK buyers from June 1979, making this 1.6-litre car one of the earliest.

It was superseded by a 1.8-litre model in 1982. 

DKU 709V has covered just 54,000 miles; it spent nearly 20 years in storage before it was recommissioned in 2018.

11. 1986 BMW 6 Series by Koenig Specials

Various Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Porsche models were given the Koenig Specials treatment throughout the 1980s and beyond.

The German tuner became known for its over-the-top conversions, exemplified by this one-of-two BMW.

The owner, Tahmid Haque, owns four different cars modified by Koenig Specials.

12. 1994 Peugeot 205 GTI Classic

A number of limited-run Peugeot 205 GTIs never made it to British showrooms, including this rare Classic.

Just 30 were built to commemorate the end of 205 GTI sales in Australia, and this is the only example in the UK. 

As well as special decals and paintwork, the model also got leather trim, a sunroof and air conditioning.

13. 1994 Volvo 850 BTCC

It’s been 30 years since Volvo shocked motorsport fans in the UK by entering an 850 estate in the British Touring Car Championship.

This blue-and-white car, prepared by Tom Walkinshaw Racing, is one of the competitors from the ’94 season.

14. 1995 Toyota Supra

The fourth-generation Toyota Supra was so popular with tuners that it’s tricky to find an original, unmodified example today.

Other than an aftermarket exhaust, Mark Blythe’s twin-turbo car is completely stock.

He’s owned it for nearly two decades and his decision to keep it (nearly) standard prompted interest from Toyota, who displayed it at the international preview event for the latest Supra.

15. 1999 Porsche 911 GT3

The 996-generation Porsche 911 was the first with a water-cooled flat-six engine.

It was also the first to wear the GT3 badge, and this car, chassis 194, was the first to be registered in the UK.

Finished in Weissach, Germany, in mid-1999, it joined the marque’s UK press fleet on 27 July.