Classic car of the year 2012

The most diverse range of classic cars spanning sixty years of motoring heritage have entered the competition to be crowned the UK’s Classic Car of the Year 2012 – but there’s still time to get your pride and joy in the race as the deadline for entries is 3rd August 2012. The winner will receive a fantastic first prize valued at over £3,500 with over £700 worth of runners up prizes up for grabs. The nationwide competition, organised by Classic Car Weekly, Classic Cars and Practical Classics magazines in association with Lancaster Insurance, is open to any car made before 1990. It’s not about how much money has been spent or how many miles the car has done, it’s the story behind the car that could make it a winner. Entrants range from the old school elegance of a 1933 Standard Swallow two-door coupe to the more modern power of a 1987 Ford RS500 Sierra Cosworth, so every motoring taste is covered. Some of the cars have been passed from generation to generation such as the 1955 Daimler Conquest Century Saloon, while others were purchased because of their history like the 1976 Alfa Romeo Guilia Nuova Super. There are cars that have consumed their owner’s time and money as they have been taken apart and lovingly restored back to their former glory like the 1982 Morris Ital. Others like the 1958 Triumph TR3a have travelled the world, fundraising for worthwhile charities in remembrance for absent friends. An expert judging panel will evaluate the entrants on their individual merits as well as awarding extra points for going to extraordinary lengths to rebuild a car, its fascinating history and incredible journeys undertaken. They will also be looking for cars that are part of the family, those used everyday and those that have been obtained after a lengthy search or quest. From this information and imagery provided, the panel will then shortlist 20 cars from each category and invite the public to vote for their favourite. It will be the public who decide the winner and the runners up of each category. The winning cars will then go on display at the Classic Motor Show at Birmingham’s NEC from 16th to 18th November where the overall winner with the most votes will be revealed and the grand prize awarded. Classic car owners can enter via the competition website (www.ccoty.co.uk) or by sending details of the car, a brief history, full contact details and up to three images to Classic Car of the Year, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA. From motorin