# British International Motor Show

The British International Motor Show was an annual (bi-biennial after 1976) motor show held by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) between 1903 and 2008 in England. The show was relaunched in 2021 with a new location at Farnborough under the name of British Motor Show and was the first motor show event to take place after the COVID-19 pandemic.

## History

Britain's first motor show—for horseless carriages—was held in South Kensington in 1896 at the Imperial Institute under the auspices of Lawson's Motor Car Club.
The first British Motor Show organised by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) was held at The Crystal Palace, London in 1903, the same year that the speed limit was raised from 14 miles per hour (23 km/h) to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) by the Motor Car Act 1903 and two years before the formation of The AA.
In 1905, it moved to Olympia, London, where it was held for the next 32 years before moving to the Earls Court Exhibition Centre from 1937 until 1976, except for the period of World War II during which time there were no shows.
Initially held in London at The Crystal Palace, Olympia and then the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, it moved to the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham in 1978, where it stayed until 2004. The International motorshow alternated with the London Motorfair which continued in Earl's Court from 1977 to 1999
The SMMT announced in 1975 that in future that the show would alternate locations with Birmingham and from 1978 until 2004, it was held every second year at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, with the 2004 event being held in May, rather than the traditional October, to avoid a clash with the Paris Motor Show. The 1980 event was attended by both the actor Lewis Collins and the stand-up comedian Stewart Lee.
The July 2006 and July 2008 shows were held at ExCeL London.
The motorshow was held at ExCeL London in 2006 and 2008. The 2010 and 2012 events were cancelled due to the Great Recession, and there was no 2014 show. The last British International Motor Show in the UK was 2008, and after the 2012 cancellation, ended the involvement of the SMMT. The 2010 and 2012 shows were cancelled due to the Great Recession.
With the absence of an international show in England, between 2016 and 2019, there were annual motor shows held under the London Motor Show banner held in Battersea Park for the first two years and moved to Excel for 2019. The 2020 show was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

## Locations
### Earls Court

The cars listed are those announced in the late summer lead up to the show or during it.
| Year | Show | New cars announced for this show | Photo |
| 1948 | 27 October – 6 November Earls Court, London Attendance 562,954 highest previous attendance 315,000 | Aston Martin 2-Litre SportsAustin A70 HampshireAustin A90 AtlanticHillman Minx Mark IVHumber Hawk Mark IIIJaguar Mark VJaguar XK120Lagonda 2.6Morris MinorMorris Oxford MOMorris Six MSSinger SM1500Sunbeam-Talbot 80Sunbeam-Talbot 90Vauxhall VeloxVauxhall WyvernWolseley 4/50Wolseley 6/80 | Jaguar XK120 open two seater – October 1948 Morris Minor – September 1948 |
| 1949 | 28 September to 8 October 34th International Motor Show, Earls Court | Rolls-Royce Silver DawnRover 75Triumph Mayflower | Rover 75 – September 1949 |
| 1950 | 18 October 1950 – 28 October Earls Court, London.35th International Motor Exhibition.The world's largest display of Cars, Boats, Caravans; carriage work, marine engines, components and accessories, tyres, transport service equipment and car trailers.Open daily 10 till 9 | Alvis sports tourerArmstrong Siddeley limousineAston Martin DB2 drophead coupéAustin A70 Hereford saloon and drophead coupéAustin A40 SportsFord Zephyr-SixFord ConsulJaguar Mark VIILanchester FourteenLea-Francis 14/70Morgan Plus FourMorris Minor 4-door saloonNash-Healey 4-litre sports coupéSinger Nine Roadster series 4 ABTriumph RoadsterTriumph Mayflower drophead coupé | Jaguar Mark VII – October 1950 Austin A70 Hereford – October 1950 Ford Zephyr Six – October 1950 |
| 1951 | 17 October 1951 – 27 October Earls Court, London. attendance was down sharply (375,000 from 480,000) because there were few new models and polling day for the General Election fell in the middle of the Show period. The choice models were export-only. | Allard J2XAustin A30Daimler 3-litre RegencyFord Zephyr Six convertible by CarbodiesHealey G-Type Roadster with 3-litre Alvis engineLanchester Fourteen drophead coupéVauxhall Velox EIPVauxhall Wyvern EIX | Vauxhall Velox – August 1951 Austin A30 – October 1951 |
| 1952 | 22 October – 1 November Earls Court, London 37th International Motor Exhibition Attendance 462,538, plus about 4,000 from overseas who entered free of charge | Armstrong Siddeley SapphireAC PetiteBentley ContinentalFrazer Nash 2.6 roadsterHealey HundredHumber Hawk Mark VSunbeam-Talbot 90 MkIIATriumph TR2 (prototype) | Healey Hundred – October 1952 Triumph TR2 – October 1952 |
| 1953 | 21 to 31 October Earls Court, London 38th International Motor Exhibition For the first time since 1938, foreign exhibitors were present, including Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen Attendance 612,953 | Alvis TC 21 Grey LadyAston Martin DB2-4Bristol 404Ford PopularLagonda 3-litreMG MagnetteMG TF MidgetRiley PathfinderDaimler Conquest Roadster {DJ254} | MG Magnette – October 1953 Riley Pathfinder – October 1953 |
| 1954 | 20 to 30 October Earls Court, London 39th International Motor Exhibition Jowett and Lea-Francis do not appear New exhibitors Skoda and DKW New models introduced during the year by Standard, Morris, Singer, Austin, Rootes, Vauxhall, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce Attendance 523,586 | HomeAustin A90 Six WestminsterBentley S Continental Park WardDaimler Regency Mark IIHillman HuskyJaguar D-TypeLanchester SpriteRover 75 rear liftSunbeam Mark IIIVauxhall CrestaWolseley Six-Ninety.ImportedMercedes-Benz 300SLMercedes-Benz 220a | Austin A90 Six Westminster – October 1954 Bentley S Continental coupé by Park Ward – September 1954 |
| 1955 | 19 to 29 October Earls Court, London 40th International Motor Exhibition Exhibitors: UK 30 USA & Canada 17 France 6 Germany 6 Italy 3 Czechoslovakia 1 Attendance 516,811, including overseas visitors 13,750 | HomeAlvis TC 108G body by GraberArmstrong Siddeley 234 and 236Daimler DK400Daimler One-O-FourJaguar Two-point-four-litreMG MGAMorris IsisStandard Vanguard IIISunbeam RapierTriumph TR3.ImportedBorgward Isabella 75Citroën DS19Fiat 600Mercedes-Benz 300cVolkswagen Microbus (T1b) | Jaguar 2.4 – September 1955 MGA – October 1955 Citroën DS19 —October 1955 |
| 1956 | 17 October 1956 – 27 October Earls Court, London 41st International Motor Exhibition Exhibitors: UK 31 USA & Canada 16 France 6 Germany 6 Italy 3 Czechoslovakia 1 Sweden 1 Orders taken at the Motor Show enabled Austin to return to a five-day working week Attendance numbers were not reported | HomeAustin Princess IVAustin A105Austin A35Austin-Healey 100-SixBerkeley CarsJaguar Mark VIIILotus ElevenMGA fixed head coupéMorris Minor 1000Morris Oxford Series IIIMorris Isis Series IIRover 105RRover 105SSinger GazelleRover T3 gas turbine car.ImportedVolvo AmazonFiat 600 MultiplaGoggomobilMercedes-Benz 190SL | Austin-Healey 100-Six – September 1956 MGA fixed head coupé – October 1956 Austin Princess IV – October 1956 |
| 1957 | 16 October 1957 – 26 October Earls Court, London 42nd International Motor Exhibition | HomeAston Martin Mark IIIBedford Dormobile CaravanBristol 406Jensen Series-RLotus EliteRiley Two-Point-SixStandard EnsignStandard PennantVauxhall CrestaVauxhall Velox.Announced during the yearAustin A55Jaguar 3.4Jaguar XK150 drophead and coupéHumber HawkVauxhall VictorWolseley 1500.Announced after the Motor ShowRiley One-Point-Five.ImportedRenault Dauphine | Jaguar 3.4 export only id is by spat opening for knock-off hub Lotus Elite – October 1957 Vauxhall Cresta – October 1957 |
| 1958 | 22 October – 1 November Earls Court, London 43rd International Motor Exhibition Neither Allard nor Lagonda book stands at the show Exhibitors: UK 33 USA & Canada 14 France 7 Germany 7 Italy 4 Czechoslovakia 1 Sweden 1 Holland 1 Attendance 534,422 | HomeArmstrong Siddeley Star SapphireAston Martin DB4Austin A40Austin A105 Vanden PlasBristol 406Daimler MajesticHumber Super SnipeJaguar Mark IXRover three-litreStandard Vignale.Announced during the yearAustin GipsyAustin TaxicabAustin-Healey SpriteLand-Rover series II..ImportedDAF 600Mercedes-Benz 190DMercedes-Benz 220SEVolvo 122SRenault FlorideSimca Aronde | Austin-Healey Sprite – May 1958 Rover three-litre – September 1958 Austin A40 – October 1958 |
| 1959 | 21 – 31 October Earls Court, London. Opened by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. Visitors to the Motor Show are asked by Scotland Yard to leave their cars at home Attendance: paid 560,310 overseas visitors another 19,707 | HomeAC GreyhoundAustin A40 CountrymanBentley S2Bristol ZagatoDaimler Majestic MajorFord AngliaFord PopularJaguar Mark 2Jaguar Mark IXMiniPrincess 3-litreRiley 4Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud IIRover 80Rover 100Wolseley 6/99.Announced during the yearAustin A55Austin A99Daimler SP250MG MagnetteSunbeam AlpineTriumph Herald.ImportedBorgward 2300Chevrolet CorvairChrysler ValiantDKW JuniorFiat 1800Ford FalconMercedes-Benz 220MoskvitchPanhard PL 17Volga | Triumph Herald – April 1959 Morris Mini-Minor – August 1959 Ford Anglia – September 1959 Jaguar Mark 2 – October 1959 |
| 1960 | 19 to 29 October Earls Court, London Attendance: 428,000 reported 12 months later | HomeAustin A60 CountrymanAustin Mini CountrymanHumber Super SnipeJensen 541SLea-Francis LynxMorris Oxford TravellerMorris Mini-Minor TravellerVanguard Luxury SixSunbeam Alpine.Announced during the yearTriumph Herald convertible.ImportedBuick Special | Humber Super Snipe – October 1960 Morris Mini-Minor Traveller – October 1960 Vanguard Luxury Six – October 1960 |
| 1961 | 18 to 28 October Earls Court, London 46th International Motor Show The Zagato coachwork stand exhibits a Mini-Minor named Gatto beside a Bristol and an Aston Martin Attendance: 578,034 and a further 20,000+ overseas visitors | HomeAston Martin DB4 drophead coupé SuperleggeraBristol 407Cooper Mini-MinorDaimler 4½ litre V-8 limousineFord Consul Classic CapriHillman Super MinxJaguar Mark XTriumph TR4Vauxhall VictorVauxhall VX Four-Ninety.Announced during the yearE-Type JaguarFord Consul Classic 315 1340 cc.ImportedBMW 1500Citroën Ami 6Renault 4Simca 1000Volkswagen 1500 | Daimler V-8 limousine – September 1961 Triumph TR4 – September 1961 Vauxhall Victor – September 1961 |
| Year | Show | New cars announced for this show | Photo |
| 1962 | 17 to 27 October Earls Court, London 47th International Motor Show Attendance: 474,086 and 21,199 more from overseas. It was noted the paid attendance was 103,948 less than last year | HomeAustin-Healey 3000BentleyDaimler 2½ litre V-8Ford Capri 1498 ccFord Consul Classic 1498 ccFord Consul Cortina 1198 ccFairthorpe RocketteLand-Rover Forward ControlElva Mark IIIElva Mark IVJensen C-V8Lotus ElanMGBMorris 1100Ogle SX250Rolls-RoyceRover 3-Litre coupéTriumph SpitfireVauxhall CrestaVauxhall Velox.Announced before the Motor ShowOgle Mini GTFord ZodiacFord ZephyrTriumph Vitesse.ImportedRenault R8 | Morris 1100 – August 1962 Ford Cortina – September 1962 MGB – September 1962 Triumph Spitfire – October 1962 Lotus Elan – October 1962 |
| 1963 | 16 to 26 October 48th International Motor Show Earls Court, London Paid attendance believed to be in excess of 550,000 people. | HomeAston Martin DB5Bond Equipe GTFord Consul CorsairJaguar S-typeLotus CortinaRover 2000Morgan Plus Four PlusPrincess 1100Reliant Sabre SixTriumph 2000Vauxhall Viva.Announced during the yearBond EquipeFord Cortina 1498 ccHillman ImpMini Cooper S.ImportedAlfa-Romeo Giulia Sprint GTBMW 1800DKW F102Mercedes-Benz 230SLMercedes-Benz 600NSU Prinz 1000NSU SpiderPorsche 901 | Hillman Imp – May 1963 Vauxhall Viva – September 1963 Jaguar S – September 1963 Triumph 2000 – October 1963 Rover 2000 – October 1963 |
| 1964 | October 1964 Earls Court, London | Vauxhall Victor _ October 1964 | Vauxhall Victor |
| 1965 | 20 – 30 October Earls Court, London | AC Cobra Mark IIIAC convertible by FruaAston Martin DB6Aston Martin VolanteBentley T-seriesBristol 409Jensen F. F. Mark IIILotus Elan coupéMGB GTRiley KestrelRolls-Royce Silver ShadowTriumph 1300Triumph 2000 estateWolseley 1100 | MGB GT Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow |
| 1966 | 19 – 29 October Earls Court, London | HomeAston Martin DBSAston Martin DB6 VolanteFord Zephyr Mark IVFord Zodiac Mark IVFord Cortina Mark IIFord estate cars by AbbottFord convertibles by CrayfordHillman HunterJaguar 420Jensen FFSinger VogueTriumph Vitesse 2-litreVauxhall VivaImportedAlfa Romeo GTVAlfa Romeo DuettoAudi 80Audi Super 90BMW 1600BMW 1800BMW 2000 Ti LuxBMW 2000 CSFiat 124Ford Taunus 12Ford Taunus 15MLancia Fulvia ZagatoMaserati QuattroporteMercedes-Benz 300SELMercedes-Benz 250SEVolvo 144 | Ford Zodiac Mark IV Hillman Hunter Vauxhall Viva HB |
| 1967 | 18 – 28 October Earls Court, London | Lotus Elan +2GTM CoupéAustin/Morris Mini Mk2Triumph Herald 13/60NSU Ro 80Simca 1100Vauxhall Victor (FD) | Triumph Herald 13/60 |
| 1968 | 16 October 1968 – 26 October 1968 Earls Court, London The opening ceremony was performed by Princess Alexandra. | Jaguar XJ6Austin 3-litre (relaunch)Marcos 3 litre | Jaguar XJ6 |
| 1969 | 15 to 25 October Earls Court, London In September, Earls Court Exhibition workers threatened to strike. The day the show opened, two UK major manufacturers had assembly lines at a standstill. | HomeDaimler SovereignTriumph 2000 Mark IIVauxhall VX 4/90.Announced during the yearAustin MaxiFord CapriLotus Europa S2TVR Tuscan V6.ImportedAlfa Romeo GiuliaCitroën Ami 8Fiat 128Renault R12Saab 99Škoda 100Toyota 1900 Mark II | Austin Maxi – April 1969 Renault 12 – July 1969 Daimler Sovereign – October 1969 Triumph 2000 Mark 2 – October 1969 |
| 1970 | 14 to 24 October Earls Court, London 55th International Motor Show British makes on display: 28 Foreign makes on display: 46 including a sales team from Russia Four hundred manufacturers of cars, components and accessories There are girls dressed as rabbits, sailors, and as Nell Gwynn, and girls in "extremely inadequate" chain mail It was agreed that Earls Court was no longer an adequate venue | HomeFord CortinaTriumph ToledoTriumph 1500.Announced during the yearAustin 3-litreHillman AvengerTriumph StagVauxhall Viva.ImportedCitroën GSNissan Datsun 1800Fiat 124 coupé | Hillman Avenger – February 1970 Triumph Stag – June 1970 Ford Cortina – October 1970 |
| 1971 | 19-30 October 1971 Earls Court, London | HomeHumber Super Snipe Series IIILea-Francis LynxImportedBMW 2000 TouringCitroen GS EstateFiat 127Fiat 130 CoupeLamborghini UrracoPeugeot 504 Estate Lada 1200 | Lea-Francis Lynx |
| 1972 | 18 – 28 October Earls Court, London | HomeMarina EstateFord Consul 2500Ford Granada 3-litreImportedAudi 80Alfa Romeo AlfasudBMW 3.0CSLCitroën GS CamargueMercedes-Benz S-ClassPeugeot 104Renault 5 | The Aston Martin V8 at the 1972 Motor Show |
| 1973 | October 1973 Earls Court, London Seventieth show | HomeRover 2200.Announced during the yearAustin Allegro.ImportedOpel Kadett | Austin Allegro – May 1973 |
| 1974 | 16 – 26 October Earls Court, London | Aston Martin Lagonda (long wheel-base, four-door version of the Aston Martin V8)Porsche 930 TurboPanther De Ville (Worldwide launch, for the basic model it was one of the most expensive cars being displayed at the time)Toyota 1100 (UK launch of the Toyota Publica).Announced during the yearLotus Elite | Lotus Elite |
| 1975 | October 1975 Earls Court, London | Lotus EspritLotus Eclat (2+2)Reliant KittenVauxhall Chevette Hatchback | Lotus Esprit |
| 1976 | October 1976 Earls Court, London Widely publicised as the last international show at Earls Court 67 makes from 16 countries More diesel cars displayed than ever before | HomeAston Martin LagondaChrysler Avenger (facelift)Announced during the yearRover 3500Triumph TR7 (UK launch).ImportedAudi 100Fiat X1/9 (Right hand drive)Porsche 924 (UK launch)Toyota Crown EstateVolvo 343 | Rover 3500 – June 1976 |

### Birmingham

| Year | Show | New cars announced for this show | Photo |
| 1978 | The International Motor Show made its first appearance at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, and attracted record crowds of 908,194. | |
| 1980 | The International Motor Show returned to the National Exhibition Centre in 1980 with an additional exhibition hall. The Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was driven to the show in the new Austin Metro. | Austin Mini Metro World premiere Fiat Panda Honda Quintet Mazda 323 Talbot Tagora TVR Tasmin Concept Cars Citroën Karin Daihatsu Charade electric Toyota FCX-80 | |
| 1982 | The International Motor Show again appeared at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham during October of this year. | The two most notable new launches were the Audi 100 and Ford Sierra. Other new cars included the Austin Ambassador and MG Metro. | |
| 1984 | 20 October 1984 – 28 October 1984 NEC, Birmingham. 17–19 October were reserved for professional visitors. The show saw a total of 696,183 visitors this year. | Austin Montego Estate – the Design Council award-winning family estate from Austin Rover Reliant Scimitar SS1 Dutton Rico | Austin Montego Estate |
| 1986 | 18 October −26 October 1986 NEC, Birmingham. | Jaguar XJ (XJ40) Renault GTA in RHD, British debut | Jaguar XJ |
| 1988 | 22 October 1988 – 30 October 1988 NEC, Birmingham. | Jaguar XJ220 – debut of Jaguar's 220 mph (350 km/h) all wheel drive (AWD) super car concept vehicle MG Maestro Turbo Middlebridge Scimitar Audi Coupé (B3) | Jaguar XJ220 |
| 1990 | 22 September – 30 September 1990 NEC, Birmingham (trade days 19-21 September). The show was advertised with the slogan "Fuel your imagination" | | |
| 1996 | The 1996 show was held at the NEC, Birmingham. The show had 623,000 visitors. | | |
| 1998 | 22 October to 1 November 1998 at the NEC, Birmingham. Saw the launch of two critical saloons from British car manufacturers. Bernd Pischetsrieder, then in charge at BMW, made an impromptu speech about the future of Rover's Longbridge plant. The show had a large attendance of 709,000 visitors. | Rover 75 – debut of the first (and last) Rover with the help of BMW Jaguar S-Type – all new executive car from Jaguar, retro in design like the Rover. | Rover 75 |
| 2000 | The International Motor Show remained in the Birmingham NEC during October. Honda made news in claiming it would have fuel cell cars on sale by 2003. Attendance dropped from 1998 to 543,000. | | |
| 2002 | The 2002 show at the NEC, Birmingham had over 450,000 visitors, a further drop over the two previous shows. | Bentley Continental GT Invicta S1 MG SV TVR T350 | MG SV |
| 2004 | In 2004, the show, branded The Sunday Times Motorshow Live, was held from 27 May – 6 June, instead of the usual October. Attendance increased slightly from the previous year to 461,000, but the organisers had hoped for 600,000. | Farboud GTS Land Rover Discovery (International debut) Noble M400 Peugeot 407 (United Kingdom Introduction) Peugeot 407 SW (United Kingdom Introduction) Renault Modus Rover 25/MG ZR facelift Rover 75 Long wheelbase (international debut) Vauxhall Tigra | |

### ExCeL

| Year | Show | New cars announced for this show | Photo |
| 2006 | The 2006 British Motor Show was held in July at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in London's Docklands. It featured a nightly post-show rock music festival called Dock Rock with concerts by: 19 July, A-Ha 20 July, Van Morrison 21 July, UB40 22 July, Roxy Music 24 July, Simple Minds 26 July, Katherine Jenkins, with the National Symphony Orchestra of London 27 July, Jools Holland, and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra | Alfa Romeo Spider (United Kingdom Introduction) Aston Martin Rapide (United Kingdom Introduction) Bentley Continental Flying Spur Mulliner Driving Specification BMW M6 Convertible Chevrolet Captiva (United Kingdom Introduction) Chrysler Sebring sedan (Europe Introduction) Dodge Nitro (Europe Introduction) Ford Focus coupe convertible (United Kingdom Introduction) Honda Civic 3-door hatchback Jaguar XJR Portfolio Jaguar XKR Kia C segment model (codename ED) Land Rover Freelander2/LR2 (World Introduction) Lexus GS 300 Limited Edition Lotus Europa S (United Kingdom Introduction) Lotus Exige S (United Kingdom Introduction) Mazda BT-50 (Europe Introduction) Mazda3 MPS (United Kingdom Introduction) Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe MINI GP (United Kingdom Introduction) Mitsubishi i (Europe Introduction) Rolls-Royce 101EX (United Kingdom Introduction) Saab 9-3 Convertible BioPower SEAT León Cupra and FR SEAT Altea FR Smart Fortwo EV Toyota RAV4 (United Kingdom Introduction) Toyota Yaris (United Kingdom Introduction) Vauxhall Corsa 3 door and 5 door (World Introduction) Volvo S60 Volvo S80 (United Kingdom Introduction) Volvo XC90 (United Kingdom Introduction) | Rolls-Royce 101EX |
| 2008 | The 2008 British International Motor Show was held at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in the Docklands from 23 July – 3 August, and was the last regular British International Motor Show. The SMMT promoted an all new showcase of the latest electric vehicle models. "The Electric Vehicle Village" brought together one of the largest collections of zero emissions vehicles ever seen in the United Kingdom, with a display of more than twenty battery powered vehicles. The motor show displayed a number of high priced, high performance electric cars, such as the Lightning GT and Tesla Roadster (2008). | Alfa Romeo Mito (World/United Kingdom Introduction) Ford Focus RS Lotus Evora (World premiere) Mastretta MXT (first Mexican sports car) Nissan Qashqai+2 Ford Fiesta ECOnetic Vauxhall Insignia SsangYong Rexton R-Line Tesla Roadster Concept cars: Cadillac CTS Coupe Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Citroen C-Cactus Honda OSM Kia Excee'd Convertible Kia Kee Land Rover LRX Lexus LFA Lotus Elise Eco Saab 9-X Biohybrid Smart electric drive | Land Rover LRX |