Silverstone Auctions has teamed up with the organisers of the Footman James Classic Motor Show, the UK’s biggest motoring exhibition, to hold a prestige car auction at this year’s event at Birmingham’s NEC on Saturday 17th November.

It’s the first auction of its type in the show’s history and promises to be one of the highlights for classic car lovers when it takes place as part of the three-day extravaganza from 16th to 18th November.

The season ending Footman James Classic Motor Show and the neighbouring Classic Motorbike Show has become a ‘must-attend’ event for anyone harbouring a passion for cars and bikes, attracting around 50,000 owners and enthusiasts.

There’s over 1,400 amazing vehicles on display, from modest family saloons and through to head-turning supercars. There’s also hundreds of trade stands, shows and automotive services to enjoy as well as the Wheeler Dealer live stage and restoration theatre.

Show Manager Andy Rouse said: “We are extremely excited at the prospect of the UK's biggest and most popular classic motoring show now also hosting a quality auction. We have been hugely impressed with the energy and enthusiasm of the team at Silverstone Auctions and their commitment to and vision for this feature going forward.

“I view this as an extremely important development in both the growth and the 'standing' of the show, both at home in the UK and internationally and that it provides a new and exciting alternative in the annual auction calendar. We are confident that a sale at the UK's flagship show will attract a high volume of quality entries and enthused buyers.”

The decision by Silverstone Auctions is furtherevidence of its positioning as the Midlands leading specialist car auction house.

Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: “This is really exciting news and is definitely one of our calendar highlights for 2012. We will obviously be focusing on classic cars, befitting the surroundings, but I’m sure they’ll also be some competition cars and more modern supercars under the hammer, as well as a wide variety of motorbikes and  automobilia.

“However, this year also sees Silverstone Auctions host a further four sales, three of them at our spiritual home of Silverstone, so we’re definitely going to be kept busy.”

The other Silverstone Auctions for 2012 include The Race Retro and Classic Car Sale at Stoneleigh Park on the 25th February. Meanwhile, the Silverstone based auctions held in the circuit’s ultra-modern ‘Wing’ building are the Spring Sale on 16th May, The Silverstone Classic Sale on 21st July and the Autumn Auction on 19th September.

For further information about Silverstone Auctions visit www.silverstoneauctions.com