Once a unique and enjoyable automotive institution, the forever popular British Motor Show entertained millions from across the world for more than a century. However since 2008, the event has been sadly towed to the scrap heap. Throughout this article you will find a little history and a few thoughts and cool image galleries from images i dug up from the British Motor Show in 2000 (excuse the quality, they were snapped on a £3 disposable camera when i was about 13 years old. And Yes, Top Gear did do a live show at the NEC that year, it was Jeremy, Tiff and Quinton, long time ago, i know!)

The first ever British Motor Show was held at the iconic Crystal Palace back in 1903 before moving to Olympia a little later in 1905. The show then moved on to Earls Court in 1937 where it remained until the 1970s. Nevertheless, after an unsuccessful consignment at Birmingham’s NEC, the British Motor Show soon faded before disappearing altogether after an oppressed appearance at ExCel back in 2008. The unwanted global economic downturn eventually decided the fate for the British Motor Show which meant both 2010 and 2012 shows were sadly cancelled.

Since then, many fans of the British Motor Show have been forced to watch from the dampened sidelines as Britain’s latest four-wheeled innovations premiere at the likes of Tokyo, Paris, Geneva, Paris, and Los Angeles and not in their original homes, here in Britain.

As the Paris or the Geneva Motor Show will prove, there isn’t any other substitute for an enormous glitzy event. Imagine all the popular British-build models such as the latest Range Rover, the Jaguar F-Type, and the MINI all being launched in the country where they were produced. Not only is it an outstanding tribute to the millions of individuals who are employed in the automotive industry, but it may also encourage other manufacturers to start producing in Britain too.

Why was the British Motor Show so good?

Britain has been at the very heart of the motor since the very birth of the car industry and the British Motor Show had a very special vibe and feel to it because of that reason alone. Britain’s unrivaled importance in the world of motoring meant that manufacturers from around the world chose Britain to debut their amazing creations.

Will we ever see the British Motor Show again?

There is no denying that petrol-heads are still mourning the end of the British Motor Show will most certainly be relieved to hear that there are currently plans in place for the show’s return in 2016.

During the Guild of Motor Writers’ annual awards dinner earlier this year, HRH Prince Michael of Kent had announced that the United Kingdom will be able to host a motor show in order to take on the current European shows hosted in cities such as Frankfurt and Geneva. There are rumours circling that Battersea Park will be the show’s new venue and it’s all scheduled to kick-off in May 2016. There will be a large emphasis on Green technology at the show and a large presence of hybrid and electric vehicles.

Even though the economic downturn has always been blamed for the show’s cancellation back in 2010, events at Goodwood with its similar, Moving Motor Show and also the Motor-expo at Canary Wharf have since been established and have gained a good reputation, but nevertheless, they are no ‘British Motor Show’.

Leave a comment comment below if you have any fond memories you would like to share.