November 8-10, Birmingham NEC, Great Britain

If you’re a classic car enthusiast, a historic motor sport fan or participant, or even just enjoy gazing at the automotive form, the Classic Motor Show is not to be missed.

Housed within seven of the Birmingham NEC’s cavernous halls, it brings together more than 300 classic car and motorcycle clubs to show off in excess of 3000 machines.

This year marks the event’s 35th anniversary, and to celebrate the show will include a new ‘35 Years in Motoring’ exhibition, which will track how the experience of motoring has changed since the show first opened its doors in 1984.

There’s plenty of live action, too, with HERO Events bringing a flavour of its famous RAC Rally of the Tests to the show, with a live indoor course for its 60 competitors to tackle on Saturday – which will mark the actual halfway point of this year’s mammoth event.

You can jump behind the wheel yourself, with HERO’s ‘arrive and drive’ classic car experiences, or grab a bargain from the UK’s biggest indoor autojumble. Plus there’s workshops on restorations, and sales galore.

There will also be a host of special guests making live appearances, plus talks covering topics such as The Great British Police Car, Working in Classic Motoring Media, and game shows like a novel twist on Wheel of Fortune.

Motor Sport will also be in attendance, with our own stand and a display of cars to fit in with this issue’s Ford vs Ferrari theme, so keep your eyes peeled and come and say hello.

Local Knowledge

HOW TO GET THERE Set your sat-nav for B40 1NT and follow the signs for one of the cluster of car parks. The NEC is easily accessible via both the M1 and M40, or there are many trains to Birmingham International.

ALSO GOING ON For those keen to get their hands dirty, check out the Restoration Theatre, which offers tips on both spotting a classic and working on it. There’s also a live three-day restoration challenge.

DON’T MISS The first visit of the RAC Rally of the Tests. The endurance road rally from Torquay to Chester evokes the spirit of the original RAC rallies, with 30 tests along the 750-mile route. Catch it live on Saturday.

DIGITAL EXTRA

More November Events

MotoGP, November 1-2, Sepang

Walter Hayes Trophy, November 3-4, Silverstone, UK
Named after the Ford PR guru, the Walter Hayes Trophy is one of the best Formula Ford 1600 events in the world. Regularly attracting close to 100 cars for the knockout contest, the racing is always incredibly close and fraught.

NASCAR, November 7-9, Phoenix

Race of remembrance, November 8-10, Anglesey, UK
Few club race meetings are as eclectic or emotive as this one. A 12-hour endurance race around the picturesque Anglesey track that is punctuated by a poignant service in the pit lane on Remembrance Sunday.

Aussie Supercars, November 8-10, Sandown

World RX, November 8-10, Killarney

WEC: Round three, November 8-10, Shanghai, China
To conclude the World Endurance Championship’s tour of the Far East, the grid heads to the twisty Shanghai circuit for a four-hour thrash. Can the works Toyota’s continue to defy rule changes and retain their advantage?

MotoGP, November 15-17, Valencia

WRC: Round 14, November 14-17, Coffs Harbour, Australia
This year’s epic World Rally Championship battle comes to a close Down Under, and the combatants from Ford, Hyundai and Toyota thrash it out on the gravel and dust of Coffs Harbour. Set your alarms early.

Formula 1:  Round 20, November 15-17, Interlagos, Brazil
The title fight may be over, but the Brazilian Grand Prix is always a race to look forward to. The short, sharp Interlagos lap always produces drama, and the passionate fans create a great atmosphere, even through the telly.

Formula E, November 22-23, Riyadh

Aussie Supercars, November 22-24, Newcastle