Get ready to see the halls of the NEC in a whole new light. For 2026, our official show theme is Debutant and we threw down a challenge to the 320 classic car clubs taking part this year: bring at least one car to your stand that has never been exhibited at the Classic Motor Show before.  

The clubs have delivered in style. From lost Le Mans specials and centenary-defining track monsters to pristine garage builds and forgotten heroes back from 40 years in hiding, here is a sneak peek at some of the extraordinary first-time cars you’ll meet on the show floor. 

Maserati: 100 Years of Racing Lineage 

In 1926, Maserati entered its very first race with the Tipo 26 and scored an immediate class victory. One hundred years on, the club is celebrating a full century of Maserati racing history with a powerhouse stand spanning four distinct eras. Keep an eye out for the classic 4CS, the legendary 300S, and the brutal 450S, right up to the brand-new, track-focused MCXtrema - arguably the most thrilling debutant on the headline list. 

Mazda MX-5 Le Mans Edition: Back From the Shadows 

Built in 1991 to celebrate Mazda’s historic triumph at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, only 24 of these special edition MX-5s were ever made. One particular example vanished from public view more than two decades ago, until now. Having recently re-emerged, it is currently being prepared to make its grand debut on the stand alongside four of its surviving factory siblings. 

XJ40 Register: Celebrating 40 Years with Historic Firsts 

To mark four decades of the Jaguar XJ40, the register is putting together an all-debutant display. It features the oldest surviving XJ40 in existence (a fully functional fire tender that will light up on the stand), the last surviving pre-production launch car, and the very last XJ40 ever off the production line. 

MK1 Cortina Club: "The Three Debutantes" 

Living up to their stand title, the MK1 Cortina Club brings three unique builds: 

2-Door 1500 Super: Rescued as scrap for just £250 in 1997, restored solo by its owner, and now a multi-trophy winner. 

GT (1660cc): Powered by a custom home-built engine that picked up two national awards in 2026. 

Lotus Cortina: A matching-numbers example recently acquired in 2025 after spending decades hidden in long-term registry ownership. 

TVR Car Club: Tuscan S

The TVR Car Club is bringing the Tuscan S that starred in Looney Tunes: Back in Action, converted into a silver spy car with wings and jet engines. The removable movie kit survives and will sit alongside it. Wings, jet engines, TVR. Naturally. Its the first classic car show appearance in over 20 years!

Saab Enthusiasts UK: 60 Years of V4 Power 

Celebrating 60 years of the V4 engine, the club is showcasing a pair of Sonett models — neither of which has ever been displayed at the NEC. One of the two is among just four registered in the UK, lovingly maintained for regular road use after an extensive mechanical recommissioning. 

Come and join us

With over 3,000 classic vehicles on display, live stages, the UK's biggest indoor autojumble, and hundreds of fresh debutant cars across all halls, this is set to be our most exciting edition yet. Grab your tickets now and come meet the debutants in person!