Autosport International at the NEC Jan 2020

Did you know that the year 2020 sees the 70th anniversary of both Formula One and Autosport? It is very fitting then that Autosport International should give prominence to the branch of international motorsport. But the amateur end of the sport is not forgotten by any means, in fact, my favourite stand was that of the 750 Motor Club. This is the club where Colin Chapman (Lotus), Eric Broadley (Lola) Frank Costin and Jem Marsh (Marcos) etc. etc. cut their teeth. It is great to see it thriving and providing an entry into motorsport for those with limited financial means. But it doesn’t stop there, have a look at some of the photos below to see very exotic sports racing cars that compete in one of the many different categories that the Club organises. I have nothing to do whatsoever with the 750 Motor Club, it’s just that I admire its history and its continuing prowess.

Another stand that caught my eye was that of CCK Historic. There was a sports racing or sprint car on the stand that at first glance reminded me of the early Ginettas. Upon enquiry I found out that it had a Chevrolet engine and had been designed and built by Bill Thomas in the early 1960s. I did more research when I got home and found out that the car is called a Chevrolet Cheetah and was indeed conceived by Bill Thomas of Anaheim Ca. (where Disney World is) together with Don Edmunds. It appears that there were only sixteen original cars built but there have been a number of replicas made by several different companies. On the same stand, looking, to my mind, somewhat incongruous, was a L.H.D. Nash Metropolitan complete with its American Motors identification plate. The reason that I thought that it looked incongruous was because it was in racing trim. Those of us of a limited imagination (not something that I would normally identify in myself) would not expect to see a Nash Metropolitan prepared for racing. I will have to say that it “looked the biz”.

I wandered around the Engineering section and frankly was “blown away” by some of the technology on display. I would most definitely have to go back to college if I was going to be in a position to make a contribution to automotive engineering as I did more than forty years ago. I think that I will stick to writing, that’s hard enough. But seriously, it is good to see so many British firms at the cutting edge of this technology. I came across two old friends both with illustrious heritages – AP Racing and Serk Motor Sport. They may be pale reflections of the mighty companies they once were, as major suppliers to the British Motor Industry (AP – Brake, Clutch and Suspension systems), (Serk – Cooling systems including water and oil coolers). But they are both now well established in their niche markets and taking the fight to the competition. Go, go, go!

Enough of the breeze, here are some of the photos I took at the show –

In honour of its 70th Anniversary, we will start with the F1 Collection –

F1 - Mercedes

F1 - Red Bull

F1 - Renault

F1 McLaren

F1 - Racing Point

F1 - Williams

Then 750 Motor Club

750 Motor Club - 750 Formula
750 Motor Club – 750 Formula

 

750 Motor Club - Bike Challenge
750 Motor Club – Bike Challenge – Radical

CCK Historic

1964 Chevrolet Cheetah
1964 Chevrolet Cheetah

1955 Nash Metropolitan
1955 Nash Metropolitan in Race Trim

Miscellany

 – Exotic Paint Jobs

Lamborghini Hurucan
Lamborghini Hurucan

Bugatti Veyron
Bugatti Veyron

Lamborghini Hurucan Spyder
Lamborghini Hurucan Spyder

Nissan GTR
Nissan GTR

Marcos Mantula
Marcos Mantula

Ford Pop Hotrod Green
Ford Pop Hotrod – Green
Ford Hotrod Red
Ford Anglia E434E Hot Rod – Red
Lamborghini Urus SUV
Lamborghini Urus SUV

Lamborghini Hurucan Spyder
Lamborghini Hurucan Spyder

 

Bentley Continental Racer
Bentley Continental Racer

Jaguar F Type Racer
Jaguar XF Racer

GBS Zero Gen2
GBS Zero Gen2

Westfield Sport Turbo ST4
Westfield Sport Turbo ST4

Ford Fiesta Yusa BTCC car
Ford Fiesta Yusa BTCC car

Aston Martin Vantage GT3
Aston Martin Vantage GT3

Sports 2000 Historic Pinto
Sports 2000 Historic Pinto
1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe – customised

Live Action Arena Cars

Ford Ka
Ford Ka
Midget Racers
‘Legend’ Racing Cars

– Mission Motorsport

Morgan 3 Wheelers
Morgan 3 Wheelers – Mission Motorsport
Morgan Plus 4s
Morgan Plus 4s – Mission Motorsport
Fiat X19
Fiat X19

Last but far from least –

Scania Bluestream Tractor Unit

That’s all folks.

Nick

 

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