The finalists in the 2026 Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards have been revealed, with the Club preparing to celebrate excellence in Britain’s historic motoring and motorsport world at a glittering celebration at its Pall Mall clubhouse on 19 November. Tickets for the awards evening are now on sale.
Eight independent panels of expert judges examined an outstanding selection of entries across the various categories and whittled them down to just three finalists per category. The finalists include everything from large-scale spectacles and glorious restorations to several small but beautifully formed museums and collections, and even a motoring magazine for children published by a father and his young son, reflecting the breadth and diversity of a thriving British sector.
This was also the first year for the Club’s Motoring Art category, with entries judged by car designer Peter Stevens and acclaimed portrait artist Louise Pragnell. Across the categories the juries now have the tricky job of selecting the winners: the Museums, Collections & Exhibits panel will soon be visiting the shortlisted institutions, while the Restoration jury are preparing to head to Bicester Motion to examine the three finalist cars in detail.
The 2026 finalists
Table of Contents
Competitive Event (supported by SUSTAIN and Piper Heidsieck)
- BRDC Classic
- Generations Trophy
- The Vintage & Historic Seaman Trophies Race
Motoring Art (supported by The Macallan)
- Richard Neergaard – ‘Senna McLaren MP4/7’
- Ana Herrero – ‘Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Spider Lungo, 1932’
- Ray West – ‘Outside In’
Motoring Spectacle (supported by Bosch)
- Brooklands Museum Grand Prix Centenary
- Longleat Motor Show Weekender
- Lydden Legend Festival
Museums, Collections & Exhibits (supported by Mercedes-Benz Classic)
- The Aston Martin Heritage Trust
- The W.O. Bentley Memorial Foundation
- County Classics Motor Museum
Outstanding Journalism (supported by RM Sotheby’s)
- Nathan Chadwick – ‘Saving Modena’s Crown Jewels’ (Magneto)
- Giles Chapman – ‘Car Design: The Britpop Years’ (Octane)
- Simon Hucknall – ‘The Influencers’ (Classic & Sports Car)
Personal Endeavour (supported by MOTUL)
- Tom and Helen Hardman for the Vintage & Historic Seaman Trophies race
- Carl and Sam Purkins, Roadster! magazine
- Ian Stanfield and the National Motor Museum engineering team
Restoration (supported by Bicester Motion)
- 1904 Rolls-Royce 10 HP – Fairbourne Carriages and Chris & Ben Petty for Terry Bramall
- 1926 Parry Thomas Flatiron – Geraint Owen
- 1940 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante – Mark Lowther
Young Achiever (supported by Lockton in association with Federation Skills Trust & StarterMotor)
- Gracie Haddon
- Joe Mellor
- Archie Bullett
A history of celebrating excellence
The Royal Automobile Club started its Historic Awards in 2019, acutely aware that the UK’s historic motoring clubs, events, associations, companies and special individuals deserved recognition for their unsung achievements. Since then, more than 170 contenders have been accorded merit as finalists, chosen by judges invited solely for their expertise and independence of outlook. The Awards extend the Club’s 129-year pedigree in recognising motoring accomplishments and celebrating success through its trophies and medals.
For further information or to buy tickets for the Awards evening, please visit royalautomobileclubhistoricawards.co.uk.
Source: Royal Automobile Club press release, October 20, 2026, via Newspress UK.
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