August 2009

First eight finalists announced

The 2009 Meguiars Club Showcase will offer classic enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the crème de la crème of the UK club scene will feature 16 entries from a selection of marques. The array of vehicles will have all been awarded top honours at their respective marque national shows, which have been supported by Meguiar's throughout the year.

Eight amazing entries have already been confirmed for this year's show.

• VolksWorld's 'Best in Show' VW Camper Pick Up
• Jensen International's 'President's Cup' winning Jensen 541 S
• Mercedes-Benz's 'Master Class Winner' 200E Saloon
• GTI International's 'Best in Show' MK1; The Ferrari Concours 'Car of the Day' Ferrari 275 GTB/4
• The Renault World Series 'Best Post 1979 Sports Car' winning Renault 5 GT Turbo Raider
• The JEC 25th Anniversary 'Car of the Day' Jaguar XJS
• The Daimler and Lanchester Owners Club 'Best Car before 1945' Daimler Tourer

Take a look at all of this year's entries on our Flickr Page

Classic Bike Clubs have snatched up the stand space in the dedicated bike hall in record time. Around 30 clubs will showcase motorcycles spanning the past 60 years. Naturally, Britain's great classic motorcycle marques will have a strong presence. Representing iconic household names will be the Norton Owners' Club as well as the Triumph Owners' Motorcycle and the BSA Owners' Club.

Also showcasing its club's best will be the AJS & Matchless Owners, the Ariel Owners, the Royal Enfield Owners, the Francis Barnett Owners' and the Vincent HRD Owners' Club, bringing back those leather-clad, oily-fingered memories. Perhaps you're a dyed-in-the-wool enthusiast who gets their kicks from something a bit more exotic and unusual? Well, there's also plenty to fuel your float chamber. Enthusiasts for early motorcycles will be pleased to see the Association of Pioneer Motorcyclists' display while fans of Japanese models will be fascinated by the bikes on show from the UK Honda Turbo Association, the Kawasaki Triples Club and the intriguingly titled Kettle Club. Then, of course, there are the gorgeous bikes on the Moto Guzzi Club GB, MV Augusta Owners' Club GB and the International Laverda Owners' Club stands which will delight everyone with their delicate lines and immaculate detailing which only the Italians seem to manage. So if that little lot has got you drooling at the prospect of all that motorcycle loveliness, don't forget you'll also be able to check out the regional and single-model bike clubs, charitable trusts and motor sport-based clubs, too.

There are currently a handful of bike club spaces available, if you're interested, please get in touch quickly!

Would-be classic vehicle owners would rather sacrifice their annual holiday, dining out and even alcohol, in order to buy their classic, according to a recent survey by Footman James. More than 23 per cent of potential classics owners surveyed revealed they would give up alcohol, if necessary, to allow them to save enough money to buy their classic. The figures also revealed that modern technology was not deemed important to classics owners, as over 27 per cent of those surveyed were happy to sacrifice a flat screen television for their car.

Only 18 per cent would sacrifice eating out and fewer than 17 per cent said they would sacrifice their annual holiday in order to buy their dream car. Paul Matthews, managing director of specialist insurance broker Footman James, said: "The results of the survey clearly highlight the value and importance an enthusiast places on owning a classic. It is interesting that so many would sacrifice life's little luxuries, saving the money they would have otherwise spent, towards the cost of purchasing their pride and joy."

What would you sacrifice for your dream car? Contact us through our Facebook page.

Ace Cafe London are seeking the best cafe racers to enter and be displayed as a major feature in a new, Ace Cafe Racer Concours which will be the centre point of the Classic Bike hall. With prizes and awards for winners, the display is to showcase as wide an array of machines a possible of this uniquely British born style of motorcycle which today are increasingly regarded the world over as legendary icons.

To enter your cafe racer machine (whether a special, modified or standard) in this prestigious inaugural display and competition, please contact Claire Phillipson at the Ace Café by email . If you fancy checking out the competition, why not head down to the Ace Café for the Reunion weekend. Taking place from 11th to 13th Sept, the annual Ace Cafe Reunion Weekend & Ride With The Rockers celebrates the unique history, culture and style of the Ace Cafe and what it represents. The event acts as a focus in the motorcycling calendar for all those who are not only interested in the Ace Cafe, Ton Up and Rocker heritage, but also for many others who enjoy a weekend full of motorbikes and fun!

Visit the Ace Café website for the latest Reunion news

From the writers of Octane magazine, these stunning soft back books tell the story of the world's most-revered classics.

Valued at around £30 per set, they cover these stunning magbooks celebrate these great British marques. Set includes:
The Complete Story of Jaguar - Chronicling Britain's most iconic car manufacturer this title looks at the original classics through to the present day.
The Complete Story of Aston Martin - This Magbook explores and celebrates the past, present and future of the great motoring icon thorough captivating images, in-depth features and under the bonnet examinations from across the Aston's stunning and eclectic range.
The Complete Story of MG - Containing inspirational stories from the brave MG racers involved in the Brooklands circuit late 1920s, stunning full colour photographs of MGs from every era, along with exploring the wonders of MG road cars.

We've got five sets to give away. To win just email win@necclassicmotorshow.com putting OCTANE in the subject box with your name, address and contact telephone number. Winners will be selected at random and the competition will close on Monday 31st August so get in quick.

You can claim three issues of the UK's fastest-growing classic and performance car magazine for the special introductory rate of just £1 - with no obligation, Just CLICK HERE.

Octane is the essential read for anyone who is passionate about classic cars. From Ferrari to Aston, Porsche to Bugatti, Octane brings you the best writing and photography from over 100 years of the automobile.

Don't forget to text your entry to win our Mo, our lovely 1960 Morris Mini - yours for just 50p plus your standard network charge - find out how to enter HERE. Follow us on Twitter and get the latest news and inside show gossip as it happens. Talk to us on Facebook

And not forgetting the most important reminder - BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW!!!!!
Please quote code SUBS4 when booking by phone or web