Cambridge & District Classic Car Club

Each summer, usually on the first Saturday in August, the Cambridge & District Classic Car Club holds its annual Ely Classic Car Rally on the Old Palace Green opposite the west door of Ely Cathedral right in the heart of the city.

The Cambridge and District Classic Car Club is holding a Classic Car Rally on the Old Palace Green, directly opposite the west door of Ely’s historic cathedral, with participation open to all classic car owners, whether members of CDCCC or not, in cars first registered prior to the 1st January 2000. Cars registered after that date will be accepted at the discretion of the Club. Cars are to be on display between 10.00am and 4.00pm and will not be permitted to leave before this time except in an emergency.

Participants are encouraged to make a voluntary donation to our chosen charity, Cambridgeshire Search and Rescue (CamSAR). We will be collecting for them throughout the day and all money donated and collected will be passed on in full.

Access to the show for the public will also be free. Our intention is to create a community atmosphere around the friendly enjoyment of and interest in classic cars, and the memories they evoke.

To register for this event please download, complete and email/post the form below to our events secretary.

2025 Ely Application Form

Please post or email the application form to:

CDCCC Events
5 Blacksmiths Close
Abbotsley
St. Neots
PE19 6UQ

Email: events@cdccc.org.uk

Application Forms will also remain available to collect in person at our monthly Club Nights


For more information, please e-mail events@cdccc.org.uk or call Tony Hyde on 07850 436640.

The 2024 Rally was held at the Old Palace Green, Ely Cathedral on Saturday 3rd August which brought together an eclectic mix of classic vehicles spanning over 90 years of British and international motoring history.

On a pleasant August day, visitor numbers were impressive once again, voting boards were available for both adults and children to choose their favourite car on display, with the Mayor & Mayoress of Ely presenting rosettes to the winners and to the owner of their favourite car of the show, although rumour has it that they did not agree.

2024 Vote Winners

Public Vote: Toyota Mk1 MR2

Children's Vote: The Pink Cadillac

The Mayor & Mayoress' (not) Choice:
Vauxhall Cresta

Club Committee Vote: Morgan 4/4

In 2015, the CDCCC was given permission to host its first public classic car show, to celebrate the club's 20th anniversary. This has now become an annual event and a key part of our fundraising for our chosen charity. The location at Ely Cathedral on a Saturday means that there is a great engagement with the general public who love to see the cars that they remember from their family history. It is a popular event that is often over subscribed so keep an eye on our website for our next show and application details to join us.

The first rally was held on the Palace Green, opposite the west door of Ely Cathedral, right in the heart of the city. We had such a great response from our members, guests and the public that it became an annual event at this location. Unfortunately in 2020, we were forced to cancel the rally due to COVID restrictions. Each year since however, the rally has gone from strength to strength with nearly 100 vehicles of both British and international marques covering 80 years of automotive history on display. Public admission to the rally itself is completely free and fully accessible to all, attracting large numbers of visitors both local and from further afield.

The Ely Classic Car Rally is our main fundraising event of the year in support of our chosen charity. Funds are raised through participant donations, public donations and sales of second-hand jigsaws, CD's and books.