The Home of Classic, Vintage and Sports Cars in London.
The 96 Club story began when renowned Sports Car driver Ray Bellm was ‘done’ speeding on the public highway in his Ferrari, resulting in a temporary driving ban. Consulting his friend, and Ferrari dealer Michael Scott, the idea was presented that a racing circuit should be rented and Bellm’s cars, as well as the cars of friends of the pair, could be exercised outside of the boundaries of the highway code. A social club quickly formed, and more “track days” followed, long before the term was officially coined. Naming the club was simple - 96mph was the fateful speed that started the whole thing in the first place!
Over the following fifty years, the club has gone from strength to strength. From trackdays and race experiences to events across the UK, from pilgrimages to Le Mans to coffee mornings in Belgravia, the 96 Club has offered sanctuary to enthusiasts of all corners of the classic and sports car world, spanning from the humble Austin Seven to the Ferrari F40, and just about everything in-between.
In recent years the club has consolidated itself as the private members club for petrolheads in London, holding an increasingly popular monthly Rendezvous in Belgravia. The club continues to host works visits at specialists around the south of England, and in 2022 launched its own in house engineering service, 96 Engineering, dedicated to the service, maintenance and repair of club members road and competition cars. In a nod to the motorsport roots of the Club Ecurie 96, the Club’s very own competition department, was launched shortly afterwards, and has since competed across Europe: at Goodwood, Le Mans and even tackling a twenty four hour race in Portimao with two vintage Bentleys!
2023 saw the first of the Grand Rendezvous’ take place at the beautiful Wormsley Estate in Buckinghamshire. In 2024 this event grew to host over two hundred vehicles, including a very special display of pre-war competition cars. As the club grows, an increasing number of exciting events like this will spring up. In addition, look out for the return of tours and rallies as the 96 Club looks to expand its offering to its burgeoning members, with the Le Mans Classic 2025 Grand Tour already accepting bookings!
More than anything, the 96 Club is about the people and the stories behind the cars. There are no rivet counters in the 96 Club, and members are not hung up on the values or rarity of the cars that arrive - a Mini is as equally at home at a Rendezvous as an Alfa Romeo 8C Monza. No car, position or bank balance is a guarantee of 96 Club membership - enthusiasm, passion and enjoyment are our watchwords!
