Motofest Coventry is gearing up for another classic Coventry Concours show with an array of automotive hometown heroes set to line up as part of the ‘Coventry Connections’ theme for this year’s show.

The Coventry Concours has attracted 36 entries for this year’s show, with many of the hometown marques represented, including a 1950 Jaguar XK120 that has already previously made its mark in various premium shows. The Jaguar XK120 wins have included the Jaguar Drivers Club Champion of Champions and also the Meguiars Concours in 2023 and is set to be one of the most interesting contenders of the weekend. 

The main show theme of ‘Coventry Connections’ will include cars that were designed in Coventry, manufactured in Coventry, or have a strong link to Coventry, such as DeLorean, whose head office was based in the city.

The Coventry Concours  – a premium show for vintage, classic cars and motorcycles – will take place on Saturday 1 June and Sunday 2 June, as part of the main MotoFest Coventry weekend programme.

As with previous years, the Coventry Cathedral Ruins will again provide an atmospheric backdrop to proceedings, enabling Coventry Concours to emulate the glamour and glitz of globally renowned Concours D’elegance such as the Valetta and Hampton Court events.

It will also feature a celebrity judging panel, a number of whom are Sustainable Skills Networks Ambassadors representing one of the event’s co-hosts, Association of Heritage Engineers (AoHE). The judging panel will feature Sarah Crabtree, from TV’s Bangers and Cash fame, YouTube channel host Iain Tyrrell, Dominic Taylor-Lane, founder of the Association of Heritage Engineers and Marc Allum, a resident expert on the BBC 1 Antiques Road Show.

Dominic Taylor-Lane said: “It’s fantastic to be involved again in the Coventry Concours and playing my role in organising and judging what is fast becoming a very popular show.

“As with previous shows, the Coventry Concours team has drawn together a stunning collection of very special vehicles, which will help to further secure its place on the annual calendar of classic vehicle events.”

James Noble, MotoFest Coventry Festival Director, said, “We are all set for another fantastic Coventry Concours show, with the popularity growing year on year.

“There is again the opportunity for visitors to enjoy beautiful, premium heritage cars and motorcycles showcasing the best of Coventry’s car and motorcycle manufacturing expertise in an atmospheric setting.

“We also have our classic car displays across the city, with hundreds of vehicles being showcased, as we again celebrate the city’s motoring heritage with another incredibly strong classic car programme.”

The inaugural Coventry Concours took place in 2021, following on from a successful online ‘Coventry Concours’ event in June 2020.

In 2023, the hometown heroes of the Coventry Concours were best friends Michael and Neil, who worked as trained engineers at Jaguar for a combined total of 55 years. They decided to showcase their love of Jaguars by entering their 1977 Jaguar XJ Coupe into last year’s event and won not only best in class, but the overall best in show award as well.

As part of MotoFest past, present and future theme, there will be the traditional classic car, modern modified car and motorcycle static displays across the city centre, with over 300 cars and bikes so far registered for this year’s event. 

With a significant future technology focus, MotoFest Coventry will feature a showcase of the latest alternatively fuelled vehicles, electric cars and advanced automotive technology. 

MotoFest Coventry is a two-day festival dedicated to the city of Coventry’s motoring heritage, taking place on Saturday 1 June and Sunday 2 June. It will feature a unique blend of racing demonstrations, static displays, live music and anything else with a connection to Coventry, transport and the city’s motoring heritage.  

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