Classic Car & Restoration Show 2019

Part One – The Classics

The ‘Practical Classics’ Classic Car & Restoration Show, at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre, has to be one of the U.K.’s, if not the World’s, friendliest auto shows. It is amazing to see the crowds of enthusiasts queing up at the entrances prior to the 10.00 a.m. opening time on the first day. Then the surge forward as the barriers are opened. Many top football teams would be pleased to get the same response and especially the civility of the fans.

I am always struck by how friendly, polite and enthusiastic everyone is, exhibitors and visitors alike. This was my third consecutive visit and I did have a moment, in the weeks leading up to the show, when I thought to myself “this could be a little ‘deja vu’, seen it all before”.

But that certainly wasn’t the case, I was engaged from the moment I entered Hall 5. Why Hall 5? because that’s where the Press Office was located, organised by PoppySeedMedia’s charming and efficient staff.

I am sure that there were some cars on show which I had seen on previous visits but not that many; in any case they were well worth seeing again.

What truly amazed me was the number of vehicles that I encountered, this time, which I had never seen in my life before – the Fordson threewheel ‘Tug’ (in Part Two) being just one example.

This first part features cars that are mostly in pristine condition, i.e., they have already been through the restoration process.

Part Two will present those cars either in need of restoration or are already well on their way.

I took quite a number of photos so you can judge for yourself –

**What better way to start than to showcase Britain’s first true car manufacturer – Lanchester – a 20 HP example from 1908.**

**1967 – 1970 Ford (U.K.) Corsair Convertible**

**ARKSPRITE TWIN-CAM-70l. A car with a lot of history! Not much Austin Healey Sprite about it apart from a general Mk.II silhouette.**

**1990 Pastiche TA International (representation of a 1925 Aston Martin International design)**

1961 -1973 Volvo P1800 – This particular car was one of those used in ‘The Saint’ TV series and an early, Jensen Motors, West Bromwich, built car.