338 clubs exhibited at this year’s Classic Motor Show, each with a fantastic stand to showcase its members’ cars. Here are our favourites
Austin Counties Car Club
James Howe – Digital Content Editor
The Austin Counties Car Club dedicated its stand to a celebration of Alan Hess, Public Relations Officer for the Austin Motor Company from 1946 to 1953. Pioneer of PR in the British car industry, Hess was the architect of a number of long-distance record attempts using the company’s cars; each of these was represented on the club’s stand, with the correct models mocked up to resemble their PR stunt counterparts.
David Whyley’s 1952 Austin A40 Sports was displayed to commemorate the Around the World in 21 Days trip by the same model in 1951, alongside Pete Walker’s 1949 Austin 16 to help tell the story of Hess’ Seven Capitals in Seven Days tour in 1947. My personal favourite was the 1953 Austin Somerset of Graham Wescott, finished in Sandringham Fawn and complete with roof rack, a brace of shovels and a very precisely mounted deflector behind its badge; the original tackled some 7,673 miles on a trip from the Equator to the Arctic Circle in 1953.
Mini Cooper Register
Jeff Ruggles Editor, Classic Car Buyer
The Mini Cooper Register proved that its about more than just Cooper and Cooper S models with a diverse range of classic Minis curated by Geoff Bethel. The star for us had to be Chris Spennewyn’s ex-Post Office Telephones Minivan, which had been in a lock-up since 1983 and had survived incredibly well. It was joined by a smart black 1275GT and a beautifully prepared Racing Green LE.
There were two rather notable Cooper badged vehicles though – including an unusual Mini estate that had been with the same owner since 1973. It had been used as a back-up vehicle for the Works rally team before being fitted with some Mk2 parts and an unusual up-and-over rear door by Abingdon apprentices, ahead of being re-registered and sold privately. Finally, the show’s Hall of Fame theme was satisfied by a replica of Paddy Hopkirk’s 1964 Monte Carlo Rally-winning steed, 33 EJB. Not just any replica though – this one is owned by the Hopkirk family, with Paddy’s son Patrick also present at the show on the Friday.
Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club
Joe Miller – Deputy Editor, Classic Car Buyer
The ‘R8’ Rover 200/400 celebrated its 35th birthday in 2024, and the Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club celebrated in style by bringing together every body style of Rover’s critically-acclaimed model. From a 216 hatchback – the first off the production line in 1989 – to a 400 saloon, a three-door 200, a cabriolet, Tourer and various coupes from the Rover Coupe Owners Club next door. The club arranged the lineup of R8s in a fan shape, in what was joking referred to as ‘bums out’, whereby the rear ends of the cars – most significantly different between models – was prominent.
This clever and well-executed way to showcase the difference between the versions was made better by hosting excellent examples of each model, as well as friendly and enthusiastic club members ready to talk to anyone interested throughout the weekend. The 200 & 400 Owners Club has had a great year of events and show displays, and their stand at the Classic Motor Show was the perfect way to end it.
MX-5 Owners Club
Phil Weeden – MD, Kelsey Media Motoring & Lifestyle
After a decade of dominance from hot hatches, the Mazda MX5 reinvigorated our love of a traditional, open-top sports cars. Introduced 35 years ago, it remains a relevant and accessible modern classic to this day. Part of its legacy and appeal is thanks to the MX5 Owners Club that is itself celebrating 30 years in 2024. Their stand in hall 1 looked great with a wide selection of each generation of MX5.
Many of the members were younger owners, that only proves the broad appeal of the MX5. It seems to attract enthusiast of all ages, male and female. People who love to use and enjoy their cars. Fans who keep them standard, and those who want to modify them. It’s a great community, and the MX5OC is a fabulous ambassador for this loveable sports car.
Porsche 924 Owners Club
Lucas Cochrane – Videographer
My personal favourite of the club stands at the Classic Motor Show this year was that of the Porsche 924 Owners Club. At no other club are you likely to find the breadth of affordable and prestigious classics offered here. These cars can be cheap enough to be hacked up, gutted and thrown around a circuit in, naturally aspirated guise. However, there’s also the option to get your hands on the truly awesome but equally expensive 924 Carrera GT which later went on to lend its name to the V10 screamer of 2004.
If you’re looking for something in-between there are options for you there too. The wonderfully well kept 924 Turbo on stand struck a great balance between speed, rarity and affordability while the barn find 924 racecar pictured at the rear was found with even its in-period helmet intact and has since been converted back to a road-worthy state and is regularly spotted prowling around London.
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