The Lancaster Classic Motor Show is the ultimate celebration of classic motoring, bringing together enthusiasts, collectors, and industry experts for an unforgettable weekend.
Held annually at the NEC in Birmingham, the show offers a feast of iconic cars, motorbikes, and vintage memorabilia. From gleaming restorations to rare and historic vehicles, the Lancaster Classic Motor Show is packed with attractions: live demonstrations, expert talks, autojumble stalls brimming with parts and tools, and displays of meticulously maintained classics from across the decades. It’s an unmissable event for anyone with a passion for motoring history!
Can’t make it this year? Don’t worry! We’ll keep you updated throughout the weekend with highlights from our stand, showcasing our featured vehicles, restoration stories, and much more. Stay tuned as we bring the Lancaster Classic Motor Show experience to you!
Hard to believe it’s the final day already! We’ll share our show reports shortly, but before that – here’s the final car of the weekend…
This 1972 Austin 1100 MkIII is a carefully restored replica of the iconic “panda” patrol cars once driven by the Metropolitan Police. Renowned for its compact design, reliability, and agile handling, the ADO16 was a staple in police fleets across the UK throughout the 1960s and 70s. Outfitted with signature rooftop beacons, sirens, and unmistakable police livery, these cars became fixtures on busy city streets and local roads, instantly recognizable to the public as they responded to incidents and kept communities safe.
The ADO16 wasn’t exclusive to the Metropolitan Police; it served in forces such as Staffordshire Police, the West Midlands Constabulary, and the Plymouth City Police (now part of the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary), and even patrolled Heathrow Airport as part of the MET’s fleet. With its reliability and maneuverability, the ADO16 was perfectly suited to the demands of police work.
Chris (a serial classic car enthusiast!) purchased this replica police car in 2018 and has since overseen a careful restoration to ensure its police-era features are preserved while keeping it roadworthy. This replica captures a unique era in British motoring, celebrating the ADO16 not only as a family favorite but as a trusted workhorse for law enforcement and other essential services across the UK.
Detailed specification
| Engine | ||||
| Cylinders | 4 in-line | |||
| Bore | 64.58mm. (2.543in.) | |||
| Stroke | 8373mm. (3.2in.) | |||
| Displacement | 1,098cc (67 cu. in.) | |||
| Valve gear | Overhead, pushrods and rockers | |||
| Compression ratio | 8.5:1 | |||
| Carburettors | HS2 | |||
| Fuel pump | S.U. Electric | |||
| Oil filter | Full flow, renewable element | |||
| Max. power | 48 b.h.p. at 5,100 r.p.m. | |||
| Max. torque | 60 lb. ft. at 2,500 r.p.m. | |||
| Transmission | ||||
| Clutch | Borg and Beck s.d.p. diaphragm spring | |||
| Gearbox | Four speed syncromesh | |||
| Final drive | Helical spur gears, 4.13 to 1 | |||
| Chasis | ||||
| Construction | Integral with steel body | |||
| Suspension | ||||
| Front | Independent by unequal length wishbones and Hydrolastic displacers connected front to rear | |||
| Rear | Independent by trailing arms and Hydrolastic displlacers. | |||
| Steering | Cam gears, rack and pinion. | |||
| Brakes | ||||
| Type | Lockheed hydraulic, discs front, drums rear | |||
| Dimensions | F. 8.4in. dia. discs. R 8in. dia. drums. 1.25in. wide shoes | |||
| Friction areas | Front: 18.6 sq. in. of lining operating on 148 sq. in. of disc/drum Rear: 38.4 sq. in. of lining operating on 63 sq. in. of disc/drum | |||
| Wheels | ||||
| Type | Pressed steel. 4in. wide rim | |||
| Tyres | 5.50-12 cross-ply tyres | |||
Cost (when new)
£805.63 (Source: Autocar 1971)
