The nation’s car clubs are the lifeblood of Britain’s classic movement. Here are the hardworking experts honoured at the NEC last weekend for saving cars, inspiring generations of enthusiasts and keeping the hobby alive
A band of volunteers who have raised millions for children’s charities, the organisers of a 1000-car rally that put pre-war motoring in the spotlight and a three-day race to revive a Fiat 126 were just some of the winners of this year’s National Car Club Awards.
The award judges – our very own David Simister, Practical Classics editor, Danny Hopkins and Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs chairman, David Whale – pored over scores of entries across 13 categories, including a revived category for Event/Run of the Year to reflect the return of club-led events since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Awards host and Wheeler Dealers star, Mike Brewer, said: ‘These awards recognised the achievements of Britain’s classic car clubs, the enthusiasts, and the remarkable cars that they love.
‘It is time to reward this amazing community that we’re all part of and to celebrate those who have made a huge difference’.
Jowett Car Club
Being the oldest single marque car club in the world and celebrating your 100th birthday is surely enough to warrant an award… but add to that the fact that the Jowett Car club is thriving 69 years after the marque stopped producing cars and you’ll understand why this is so well deserved. The judges praised its spares service, thriving social scene and determined recruitment of young members. As a result many of Bradford’s classics are still going strong with thousands of members around the globe. They impressed yet again with their stand last weekend, too. A deserving winner of the awards’ flagship accolade.
Sporting Bears Motor Club
Our judges were unanimous in their decision that the Sporting Bears Motor Club thoroughly deserved this prize after managing to raise more than £3m through their Dream Rides attractions at shows up and down the country – including this one. All of the mouth-watering machines appearing at events are brought along voluntarily by their owners, who also pay for every drop of petrol to make sure that as much is raised for the children’s charities supported by the club as possible. Raising this much is a massive achievement – and they bring some welcome noise to our favourite shows, too!
Morris Marina Owners’ Club
The club’s tireless work to resurrect a 1980 Ital and to then enlist it with the Classic Car Loan Project – anational scheme that puts younger drivers behind the wheel of classics for a year – impressed our judges. Having teamed up to revive the Morris during last year’s show, it was subsequently presented to Warwickshire enthusiast, Dan Tomkinson, who said he ‘absolutely loves
