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NEC Classic Launches '35 Years of Motoring' with Greatest Hits Radio

Another exciting new display has been added to this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, as part of its 35th anniversary celebrations.

A special ‘35 years in motoring with Greatest Hits Radio’ display will show how motoring has evolved since the first show opened in 1984.

Sponsored by Greatest Hits Radio, the timeline will be accompanied by iconic music from the 80s and 90s that would have been playing on stereos when the cars first rolled of the production line and onto the road.

Show Director Lee Masters explains: “The motoring world constantly evolves – you only have to look at the diversity of the cars displayed in the halls that span over the past 120 years. However, this display will concentrate on the 35 years since we first opened our doors with a car for every five years of the show. Side by side, it will be interesting to see how designs have changed.”

The first car in the eight-car display is Mark McClelland’s 1984 Vauxhall Astra GTE.

1984 Astra

The Astra, celebrating its 40th birthday, was launched at the 1979 Scottish Motor Show at Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall, which was unusual because cars were normally launched at London’s Earls Court.

Rumour has it that the Astra wasn’t ready in time for the launch in the UK capital, so it got its grand unveiling in Scotland instead – which is where Mark and his GTE reside.

To mark this special anniversary, on his drive to the show, Mark is planning to make a commemorative pilgrimage from his home in Kilmarnock to Birmingham’s NEC.

As well as Kelvin Hall, he plans to journey to the Ellesmere Port Vauxhall Plant, where his car was made, along with other key Vauxhall locations.

Representing 1989, John Davies’ Discovery Mk1 was in fact one of the press cars used by Land Rover for its UK launch.

Having just completed a full nut and bolt restoration, the ‘Disco’ is back to its completely original specification.

Other cars on display include Carolyn Stewart’s 2004 Volkswagen Beetle, showcasing the redesign of the iconic model, and a 2009 limited edition Fiat Abarth Grande Punto EsseEsse, to tie in with 70 years of Abarth and the 120th anniversary of Fiat.

The display will culminate with a vehicle from 2019, which will not only show how car design has moved on but also engineering too.

The brand-new MG ZS EV, an electric powered family-friendly car, is truly one for the modern world.

“This is just a snapshot of what’s happened to motoring in the past three-and-a-half decades,” added Lee.

“But with more electric cars on the roads, it also gives a taste of what is still to come. Imagine how different the cars on display will be in another 35 years!”

The ‘35 years in motoring with Greatest Hits Radio’ display will be the focal point of Hall 8, which was added to the show last year.

This year themed as ‘From 1984 - The 35th Anniversary Hall’, it is dedicated to marques, models and clubs that have appeared since 1984 with more than forty clubs already confirmed.

These join the other 260 that will be spread across the other six halls of the show.

Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery.

For more information including ticket options, booking details and all there is to see and do, visit www.necclassicnotorshow.com

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