Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show at the NEC


 

Birmingham, 18-20 March 2022.

The Practical Classics Show at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre may not have the allure or high end displays of the Retromobile Show in Paris, held over the same March weekend this year. However, beautiful sunshine and a pleasantly warm ambient temperature bolstered the spirits, almost making Birmingham feel like Paris in springtime! This coupled to a truly eclectic array of what may be loosely termed, predominantly more grass roots classic machinery, at the National Exhibition Centre provided a fascinating show for attendees.

Apart from static displays the show features live workshops, demonstrations and a live stage, where various aspects and topics relative to the classic vehicle world are discussed. There are also a wide variety of marque and single model motoring clubs displaying not only pristine examples of their pride and joys, but also ongoing restoration projects. It must be said that a number of these are pure labours of love, when you see the state of some of the vehicles that they are attempting to rescue from oblivion. All credit to their passion, knowledge and skills, for rescuing what were once everyday vehicles on the roads of the land, which have become rarities with both the ravages and passage of time. Although they have become rare, for the most part, they were the vehicles of the masses and were relatively cheap when new, thus despite the rarity they have no great monetary value. As noted, it is a pure labour of love with virtually no chance of recouping the financial outlay needed for the restoration, for which these arch enthusiasts should be applauded.

One of the main features was the Lancaster Insurance Spring Pride of Ownership Display, featuring twenty cars as diverse as a 1965 Humber Super Snipe Estate and a 1990 Ferrari 348 ts, with a wide mix between the two, including a 1970 Ford Lotus Cortina Mk II and a 1988 Nissan Bluebird Executive Turbo, to be voted on by visitors for the coveted award. Another very popular feature display was the Carole Nash “Barn Finds” one, with a wide variety of vehicles in various states of dilapidation, including one of only four known surviving 1949 Jowett Bradford ice cream vans.  There was another real rarity in the form of a 1966 Wolseley 6/110 Hearse, which saw period service in Ireland, together with a crash damaged 1959 Dodge Sierra Station Wagon, a 1964 BMW 1800 and a 1961 Austin JD Luton van.

There was some “French chic” at the show, courtesy of the Citroen Car Club, the Renault Owners’ Club and the Simca Club UK, the latter featuring a trio of the 1000 model, a barn find example, a pristine Rallye 1 and a race prepared Rallye 2, together with an extremely rare RHD 1200S Coupé by Bertone and an immaculate Montlhéry Speciale saloon. There were other numerous rarities spread around the various other club stands, including a unique Frisky Sprint, the only example built before the company failed, a trio of the short lived Mini based Midas, a Saab Sonnet, a Gilbern Invader and a selection from the old communist bloc, including a ZAZ Zaporozhets 968A and a Velorex 16/350 three wheeler, to name but a few.

There was also a large trade and autojumble area, whilst the Sporting Bears Motor Club were offering their Dream Rides in a variety of sporting and classic cars, all proceeds going to their charity efforts. There was also a Classic Car Auctions auction, with some 240 lots on offer, which like the show spanned a diverse array of automobiles, ranging from a Lamborghini tractor to a US Version Ferrari F355 Spider F1, achieving total sales of £3 million with a 78% sell-through rate.

Keith Bluemel          
03/2022.