The Classic Motor Show 2010 - the Meguiar's show cars

...Ferrari 250 GT owner David Moores, seen here with his Meguiar's Best in Show trophy, scooped for the second year running, presented by TV's Mike Brewer

Topless beauty - a 1962 MK2 Ford Cortina Lotus convertible - one of sixteen polished perfections on the Meguiars Club Showcase stand

And here she is all on her own. A peerless example of a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta, finished in Marrone Metallizzato (metallic brown!) with a beige leather interior. I can't imagine what one of these costs to buy, but I don't think even the sale of both kidneys would cover it

VW Golf GTi MK2. Well this gorgeous Golf deserves at least three pictures in our TotallyMotor show report. An icon of the 80s, this mostly stock MK2 looked factory fresh, even after 23 years of driving. The only modifications I could see was a decent lowering of the uprated suspension over a set of classic BBS alloy wheels

One of the most classy Germans you'll ever meet

Renault Clio Williams MK1. Renault launched the Clio Williams in 1992, with a limited run of 500 cars built for racing homologation purposes. Although the Clio Williams was named after the then Renault-powered Formula One team, WilliamsF1, the F1 supremeos had nothing to do with the actual design or engineering of this hot Clio. In fact, all the modifications to the Clio 16V on which it was based were the work of Renault Sport, Renault's motorsport division, and it is unlikely that even Williams could've bettered this awesome effort. This hot-hatch, one of the best of all time, would happily top 135mph, thanks to its 150bhp, 2-litre engine. But where it really shone was twisting and shouting through the back lane bends

Porsche 911 '993' Carrera 4. Regarded by many Porsche aficionados as the ultimate evolution of the 911, the 993 is the last time the classic Porsche appeared as a relatively small and lightweight car with little in the way of driver aids and electronics. More recent 911s have all gained weight and girth as the need for huge speed, luxury and safety have pressured the purist design. Find a 993 like this and you'll be laughing, until you have to pay for it

Vauxhall Nova Sport. If you can't stretch to the 911 then surely this bright white Nova should be more in budget. But in this as-new condition, who knows. The pride and joy of many a 'young and enthusiastic' driver, the Nova was a thing of legend in car park cruise meets across the country. Once loved, now despised, by those that never have and never will drive one at least, it's truly rare indeed to see one like this Meguiar's show car. Most are either rusted through, or through a wall

VW Beetle. Journey back in style to 1970 with this deep-blue Beetle, rolling on polished Porsche alloys. The high-gloss paintwork has clearly been treated to several coats of Meguiar's polish and thanks to plenty of chrome detailing, literally lights up under the bright show lights

The TotallyMotor Verdict

95%

As I've already excitedly expressed, the Footman James Classic Motor Show at the NEC was an absolute cracker of a car show. Several vast halls of the National Exhibition Centre full of classic cars, racers and rarities.

I was happy and interested as I made my way through the halls, constantly coming across cars I'd never expected to see at a 'classic car' show. Don't let the name fool you, it's not about rickety old relics with about as much horsepower as a kitten's cough, but recent history street and track racers, and some nicely modified rides, too. Cars like the Metro 6R4, gorgeous MK1 and MK2 Golfs, and a full range flying Fords, from Escort to Capri and Cosworth.

Zipping from car to car, stand to stand - over 200 club stands and 450 traders - and the camera is filling up nicely and I'm looking to be right on time to cover the whole event in detail, before the show closes. Or so I thought. It wasn't until late in the day that I came across the Meguiar's Club Showcase.

Sixteen perfect examples of iconic cars, all valetted to within an inch of their metal, and all displayed on a floodlit, hand-built, mansion of a show stand. Hats off to Meguiar's, 'the world's leading manufacturer of automotive surface products', but it only made my photographic mission all the bigger.

Working with enthusiast's car clubs across the UK, the polishing professionals had bought together an eclectic array of incredible cars, from the ultra-exotic to the wonderfully-run-of-the-mill; all of them truly mint examples.

As I ran around with an overheating camera, trying to catch all of the gleaming beauty before me, I realised that there was actually a tougher task than my own quick-fire shoot-on-the-hoof - some unfortunate judges had to pick a 'Best in Show' out of the sixteen stunners. Apparently, in the end, there was only 9 points separating first and fifth place. Awesome work owners, awesome work Meguiar's. And the winner is...

Tags:

Driver's Directory

Central Car Auctions

Whatever vehicle(s) you're looking to buy or sell, we're here to help find you the best possible price.
CSMA Club

As the largest private home, motoring and leisure organisation in the UK we are able to offer our members huge savings on everyday purchases.
HelpuCover

Helpucover
Listers

Listers is the largest privately-owned motor group in England, with over 40 dealerships, representing the world’s major quality motor brands, in operation. They offer a breadth of choice and service that is second to none.
P&H Motorcycles

P&H Motorcycles is the best-known multi-franchise motorcycle dealer in the South East and we stock a wide range of new and used bikes and scooters from quality manufacturers like Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Ducati, Victory, KTM and Kawasaki.
Car Shop

CarShop is the UK's leading used car retailer. Their user-friendly website lets you compare thousands of competitively priced quality cars and hundreds of vans. They also have five locations spread across the country- Cardiff, Swindon, Northampton, Doncaster and Norwich. There you'll get free advice and impartial suggestions from our staff, and they'll also help you finance your car by finding you the best deals.
Shield Total Insurance

Shield Total Insurance is the UK’s leading camping and caravan insurance specialist, ensuring comprehensive cover and total peace of mind, whether you’re at home, on the road, or making the most of the great outdoors.
Tyre Shopper

Tyre Shopper provide the most comprehensive range of car tyres, at the best prices with the most accessible network of fitting centres. We are now the No.1 Online Retailer of Cheap Tyres in the UK.

Driver's Directory Articles

Five reasons to buy an Audi A6

The Audi A6 executive saloon can quite easily be overlooked by many people as a potential used car purchase, as considering its high price when new, many average buyers would expect it to be likely too expensive to be within their price range. But, you might just be surprised as to how much Audi you can get for your money.

Redefining the family car

The Nissan Qashqai singlehandedly redefined how we perceive the family car when it was launched and has gone on to sell very well indeed. Look around the streets near you and you will see many a family enjoying many a Nissan Qashqai. There are plenty of reasons for this wide ranging sales success and here are just a few of them.

My top 3 test drives

It’s a tough life here at TotallyMotor with this poor old editor expected to travel around and test drive cars all the time. Motorways are my friend – or enemy, depending on the traffic – and motorway service station sandwiches are my stodgy sustenance. Still, hopefully at the end of all these mindless motorways and mundane munching is something hot, sexy and metal.

Features

The Classic Motor Show 2010 - the Meguiar's show cars

The TotallyMotor Verdict

Driver's Directory

Central Car Auctions

CSMA Club

HelpuCover

Listers

P&H Motorcycles

Car Shop

Shield Total Insurance

Tyre Shopper

Driver's Directory Articles

Five reasons to buy an Audi A6

Redefining the family car

My top 3 test drives

Features

Citroen C5 2.0 HDI 16V Exclusive test drive review

Volvo V40 1.6-litre petrol R-Design test drive review

Jaguar XJ Saloon SWB 3.0d V6 Luxury 4d Auto test drive review

Skoda Rapid 1.2 SE TSi 86PS test drive review

The Classic Motor Show 2010 - the Meguiar's show cars

The TotallyMotor Verdict

Newsletter Sign Up