It’s a strange competition that sees a 1978 Morris Marina square up against a 1972 Porsche 914 and 1936 Chevrolet Half Ton Pick Up – yet, happily, that’s exactly what’s happening at this year’s NEC Classic Car Show.

The biannual Pride of Ownership competition is held at the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show in March and the NEC Classic Motor Show in November. The 20 finalists for this year’s NEC Classic Motor Show have been announced, with highlights including a former police Daimler Dart SP250 from 1961 and a 1979 Citroen CX 2400 GTi barn find.

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A finalists will be displayed at the show, with visitors speaking to the owners and voting for their favourites over the weekend. The winner will be announced close to the end of the show on the Sunday afternoon.

The competition is held by Lancaster Insurance, with previous winners including a lovingly-restored 1989 Austin Metro City and a 1972 Triumph Spitfire. Any classic car made before 2000 can enter the competition, and those with an interesting story have the best chance of making the final.

“Year on year, the calibre of cars in the Pride of Ownership is always outstanding and it’s fantastic to once again see such a varied line-up on display. We can’t wait for the show and to see the beauties in all their glory,” said Lancaster Insurance’s senior operations manager, Andrew Evanson.

2017 Pride of Ownership: the shortlist

• 1979 Citroen CX 2400 GTi, owned by Neil Osborn
• 1961 Daimler Dart SP250, owned by Jonathan Smith
• 1959 Ford Cortina Savage Mk2, owned by Rob Sargent
• 1973 Ford Cortina 2.0 GT, owned by Mark Rogers
• 1978 Morris Marina 1.8 Special Saloon, owned by Trevor & Brian Ford
• 1965 K-code Mustang Fastback, owned by Gareth Jones
• 1970 Dodge Charger, owned by Craig Marsden
• 1936 Chevrolet Half Ton Pick Up, owned by Justin & Sally Ann Woolner
• 1941 Willys Coupe, owned by Andy Crockett
• 1972 Porsche 914, owned by Paul Hibbert
• 1998 BMW E36 M3 Evolution, owned by Gerald McWhinnie
• 1968 Sunbeam Stiletto, owned by Ian Thompson
• 1959 MGA 1600 Mk1, owned by Dominic Taylor-Lane
• 1959 Hillman Minx, owned by John Georgiou
• 1983 Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk1, owned by Simon McNamara
• 1985 Toyota Corolla GTi, owned by Mark and Paul Hart
• 1989 Austin Mini Thirty, owned by Brenda Roberts
• 1990 Fiat X1/9 Gran Finale, owned by Claire Lee
• 1967 Fiat 500F, owned by Stefan Graichen
• 1964 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Coupe, owned by Ronald Parry

In pictures: the NEC Classic Motor Show Pride of Ownership 2017

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