To get here, you have to prove yourself somewhere else first. Across the year, these cars have collected silverware at club and concours events around the country. Now they meet at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show for the Meguiar’s Club Showcase.

More than two decades in, the formula remains beautifully simple: exceptional cars, committed owners and one Best in Show title.

Bring your mates, come have a look.

Last year’s benchmark.

1970 Ford Cortina 1600E - One of the last built, restored in Silver Fox with genuine Ford panels and obsessive attention to detail. In 2025, Stephen Hill’s “Tina” was the one to beat. 

Restored. No shortcuts.

Nut. Bolt. Paint code. Repeat.

2002 BMW M3 E46 - Bought for £7,000 as a hobby project. Nine years, a nut-and-bolt underside restoration and four BMW Car Club Pride of Ownership titles later, things escalated.

1961 Triumph Italia 2000 - Car 235 of just 329. After more than 30 years in storage, it was restored while preserving the bespoke Italia parts that make replacing anything rather complicated.

1981 MGB Limited Edition Roadster - Around 250,000 miles before restoration, then rebuilt with rare NOS parts and more than 25 litres of paint to perfect the original finish. Commitment, measured in litres.

Paul Smith Mini - One of just 300 UK cars, rebuilt from a rolling shell with rare original parts, citrus-green details and a 24-carat gold bonnet badge. Subtle, mostly.

Original means original.

Three very different ways of leaving well enough alone.

1987 Ferrari 328 GTB - Just 22,000 miles, one of only 130 right-hand-drive GTBs and wonderfully original. There’s also a gated gearbox and a naturally aspirated V8. That helps.

1997 Mazda MX-5 1.8iS - One family since new. Original hood, wheels, radio, number plates and even the dealer floor mats. Twenty-nine years of resisting the urge to fiddle.

1993 Mercedes-Benz SL280 - Seventeen years of careful preservation have left this SL almost entirely factory-correct. Only the tyres have had the nerve to change. 

The unusual suspects

Because perfection needn’t be predictable.

1959 Ford Edsel Ranger - Zwe (the owner) went to the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show in 2025 intending to enjoy the show. He went home owning this. Since then, “Eddie” has become a restoration project, trophy winner and firm favourite.

1983 Ford Escort RS1600i - A five-year restoration, rare original parts and an engine bay rebuilt after competition feedback said it could be better. Jason appears to have taken that personally.

1964 Saab Short Nose - Compact, distinctive and unmistakably Swedish. A reminder that the best concours fields aren’t necessarily filled with the obvious choices.

Built to be enjoyed

Trophies are good. Driving them is better.

1949 Jaguar MkV Saloon - Australia, a comprehensive restoration, a return to Britain and most recently a Salon Privé trophy. More than 75 years old and still happier being driven than parked.

2005 MG ZS Mk2 - Five and a half years tucked away in a barn, then brought back into regular use. Sharon’s V6 ZS now spends its summers doing exactly what it should.

1970 Volkswagen Beetle - Air suspension, chrome five-spokes, a swamp cooler and show lighting. Also never trailered. Andy’s Beetle is polished, modified and very definitely used.

Award-winning cars. Owners who know every detail. One very difficult job for the judges.

See the full Meguiar’s Club Showcase in Hall 1, then find out who takes the 2026 title at 12pm on Sunday 15 November.

Have a favourite? Good luck choosing.