Classic Motor Show 2026: Rare Land Rovers, a Home-Built Porsche and Restoration Demos

The 2026 Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show is putting discovery at the centre of its NEC display. Clubs have been asked to bring cars that haven’t appeared at the show before, giving returning visitors a reason to look beyond familiar favourites. More than 3,000 classics are expected across seven halls in Birmingham from 13–15 November.

Rare survivors and clever recreations

A standout is a 1958 Land Rover Series II 109-inch diesel pick-up, registration UWP 29. Built in April 1958 and registered the following month, it’s believed to be the oldest surviving home-market 109-inch two-litre diesel of its type. Just 261 were made, and chassis number 156800007 identifies this truck as the seventh home-market example.

The vehicle was found in poor condition through an eBay advert in 2006. Though restored, it retains its original chassis, bulkhead and glass. Those surviving parts give the display particular interest: the truck is both a rare model and a record of the work involved in tracing and preserving an old vehicle.

A separate Land Rover display will put the engineering in view with an 88-inch rolling chassis. Visitors can see the chassis construction, axles, suspension and drivetrain without bodywork obscuring them. For anyone weighing up the appeal of a classic beyond its appearance, it’s a useful look at the hardware that shapes how these vehicles are built.

Another first at the show is a restored Austin-Healey Frogeye Sprite. The little British sports car spent its life in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, before it was tracked down in 2020. Its restoration began in April 2022, and the NEC will be its first public outing. The timeline gives the car’s debut a personal dimension: this is a long-distance find brought back to display condition over several years.

Porsche fans can compare an original rarity with one owner’s interpretation of it. Just 401 Porsche 924 Carrera GTs were built, making an original example an expensive starting point for a modification. Nick instead began with a 924 Turbo and created a Carrera GT-inspired car, adding the model’s distinctive flared bodywork and a similarly styled interior.

The changes extend well beyond the looks. Electronic fuel injection, extensive turbo development and a home-fabricated intercooler give Nick’s car considerably more power than the original, though the source provides no output figure. He also uses it regularly, so this is a working project rather than a display piece kept for special occasions. That combination of personal engineering and road use is likely to interest visitors who want to see how owners adapt classics while keeping them in service.

More British performance on display

The show’s performance cars take different routes to the same appeal. The Lotus Esprit V8 brings twin-turbocharged power and the sharp wedge shape associated with the model, while a 1973 Aston Martin AM Vantage represents a more restrained take on British muscle. Together, they broaden the display beyond the featured Land Rovers and Porsche project.

These cars also underline the variety in a show built around club displays: rare production models, restored survivors and individual interpretations can share the same halls. The cars on view offer different ways to think about classic ownership, from conserving original components to developing a car for regular use.

Mike Brewer’s Porsche project and practical workshop advice

Motoring presenter Mike Brewer returns to the Meet the Experts Stage, where he has hosted sessions for two decades. He’ll bring a custom Porsche 911 Sport Classic project that he’s building, with the aim of debuting it at the show. Visitors will be able to see the car close up and hear him discuss the decisions behind the build.

The Restoration Workshop offers a more hands-on counterpoint to the display cars. Gilbert-Michaelson Ltd, led by restoration expert Mike Coman, will demonstrate techniques and answer questions. The programme includes panel beating, lead loading and paintwork, making the sessions relevant to owners tackling a specific repair as well as newcomers looking for a first practical task.

For classic owners, that advice can be as useful as the cars themselves. A clear demonstration gives visitors a chance to see how restoration work is approached and ask about jobs they may be planning at home. The workshop is designed for different experience levels, so there’s room to learn without arriving with an established project.

With rare Land Rovers, a first-time Frogeye Sprite appearance, a modified 924 Turbo and restoration demonstrations, the 2026 show combines viewing with practical insight. The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show runs at the NEC, Birmingham, from 13–15 November 2026. Practical Classics readers can save £2 on tickets using code MDPCWEB. Visit the website for more information.