Lancaster Classic Motor Show 2018

Now recognised as the world’s biggest gathering of (around 300) classic motoring clubs, this year’s event witnessed over 71,000 visitors during the weekend 9 – 11 November 2018.

One of the highlights of the show was the Meguiar’s Club Showcase, with 16 exceptional classics at the judges’ mercy with Lyndon Creamer from Gwynedd, North Wales, and his 1964 Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle lifting the trophy, pictured below.

Silverstone Auctions saw a number of high-profile celebrity owned classic cars move on to new homes at their annual sale including Frank Sinatra’s 1984 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible, Steve McQueen’s 1945 Willys Jeep MB and a collection of cars from Jamiroquai’s frontman, Jay Kay.

The star of the sale was a magnificent 1965 Aston Martin DB5 saloon. Presented in the iconic Silver Birch colour, the car more than lived up to its pre-sale interest, eventually fetching a premium inclusive £362,250, more than £80,000 over its lower estimate.

Other British classics also proved extremely popular. A Lister Jaguar XJS 7.0 litre Le Mans Coupe was the subject of an intensely fought bidding battle, eventually selling for £57,500, more than twice its pre-sale estimate. A 1950 Jaguar XK120 Roadster fetched £86,825, more than £19,000 over its lower estimate; a 1962 Jaguar Mk.II 3.8 achieved £55,200 and a 1960 Jaguar XK150 Fixed Head Coupe also sold above estimate, for £42,837.

The theme for the show was “Built to Last” and nothing endures more than a legend and we know that Jaguar is a legend in the car world. The National club had two anniversaries to celebrate – 70 years of the XK and 50 years of the XJ. So they presented the oldest XJ chassis number 19 in the careful stewardship of member Adrian Massey. This car is notable not just for being the oldest example of a bloodline that is still being built now in its 8th generation, but also because Adrian had gone to great lengths to keep this car original, including the paint, chrome and metalwork. Try replacing that piece of history.

The XK was the car that shot Jaguar to legendary status, winning Le Mans, the Alpine rally and holding the land speed record amongst many other accolades. To celebrate this CMC very kindly supplied a beautiful XK150 drop head. One of the last produced, this was also a 3.8S, very rare and well sought after car.

Obviously, there were a number of other marques on display throughout the 6 halls as well as a selection of car dealers selling their wares. Graeme Hunt and Robert Hughes had a variety of Jaguars for sale with a number having covered very low mileages, including this lovely 1978 Daimler Sovereign 4.2L with only 12,000 miles recorded. Yours for just £21,750

My personal favourite was the Austin Healey 3000 in blue and cream.

Doug Warren