TRUE petrolheads gathered at Birmingham’s NEC venue for the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration show recently and yours truly, with a few like-minded pals, was amongst the happy crowds.
Over three days the event brought together more than 1000 cars on display including 160 car clubs representing a wide variety of marques and models plus over 250 trade exhibitors and autojumblers, restoration companies, services providers and product suppliers.
Other attractions included a classic car auction, motoring celebrities, Sporting Bears charity car rides, workshops on restoration skills and lots more.
A wide variety of classic vehicles – from fast Fords to Bentleys, Rolls Royces and even a very faithful replica of film star car Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – filled three of the NEC’s huge halls.
Thousands of car fans poured through the doors to explore a mechanical wonderland – there were even on-going restoration projects to watch and a chance to meet and greet stars like Top Gear’s Stig and Mike Brewer of Wheeler Dealers fame.
Altogether the weekend attracted over 26,800 car fans who visited the many stands for a festival of rust and restoration.
Show winners included a fully restored Porsche 944, Mini 850 and series three Land Rover. Visitors were also treated to ongoing restoration projects and presentations from VIP TV motoring celebrities like Wheeler Dealers mechanic Ant Anstead, and Car SOS’ Fuzz Townshend.
The Sporting Bears Motor Club topped last year’s ‘Resto Show Record raising nearly £22,500 from operating Dream Rides throughout the weekend.
The 2024 Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show will take place from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 March. For more information visit www.necrestorationshow.com . . . I’m booking my place now!
By Motoring Editor Steve Howarth