The Classic Motor Show has never failed to unearth cars that stand out and stop visitors in their tracks. David Simister looks back at some of the biggest talking points from the past decade
1913 MORRIS OXFORD
One of the big draws at 2013’s event was an extensive celebration of Morris’ centenary organised by a consortium of clubs – and this, officially the first car to leave the factory and the first to have been registered, was its centrepiece. Despite being officially classed as a 1913 vehicle, marque experts believe that this Oxford – which has been in the hands of one family from new – may actually have been built at some point in late 1912. Happily, this wasn’t its only outing at the NEC, with the Morris Register bringing it back to the halls for last weekend’s show after a decade-long absence.
1967 ROVER 2000 TC ZAGATO
This one-off, originally displayed at the 1967 Turin Motor Show, reputedly so impressed Cubby Broccoli that he considered using it in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – and it certainly won over visitors to 2014’s Classic Motor Show, where it was one of the stars of a ‘Rover village’ display instigated by marque clubs. It was joined at the NEC by seven other classics on the Rover Sports Register’s stand, ranging from cars as diverse as a 1906 6HP to a 1994 620 GSi.
Register chairman Mike Maher told CCW: ‘Once the doors of the show opened, the number of people wanting to ask about the TCZ didn’t stop. It’s been tremendous the way the Rover Village worked out, bringing such a range of cars together.’
1967 MORRIS 1800
Not just any ‘Wedge’, but a pre-production example that our very own Nick Larkin saved from the scrap man. Sadly, a string of attempts to either restore YJO 71R or give it to a good home fell through and it ended up languishing in Nick’s barn for years until members of leylandprincess. co.uk took it on. They revived it just in time for the 2015 show, where it fitted in perfectly with that year’s ‘She’s a beauty’ theme. Nick is still asking if he can have it back...
1995 MINI COOPER
The Covid-19 pandemic meant that 2020’s Classic Motor Show was an online-only affair hosted by Wheeler Dealers presenter, Mike Brewer – but it still managed to raise more than £45,000 for children’s charities. The lion’s share came from this Mini Cooper Monte Carlo, which Iconic Auctioneers chairman Nick Whale donated and then auctioned to raise funds. Its £10-12k pre-sale estimate ended up looking rather pessimistic when it finally sold for £37,125. All the funds went to motoring charity Sporting Bears, which normally raises cash by providing classic car rides at the NEC.
Sporting Bears organiser, Alan Moss, told CCW: ‘We’re delighted with the result and extremely g
