Classic Car & Restoration Show 2022 – Report

This is what I wrote for my report on the last Classic Car & Restoration Show held in 2019 –

“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 crowds of enthusiasts queuing 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.

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 being exhibited that I had seen on previous visits but not that many; in any case, they were well worth seeing again.”

Those words are as right in 2022 as they were in 2019!

In 2022, I am not sure that the sentiments expressed in the last paragraph of the 2019 report held true. Every car that I saw today seemed to be new to me, it was that exciting. Maybe this is because I go out of my way to find rare and unusual cars. That is not as difficult as it may sound at this show, that is part of the attraction.

Here are the photos that I took today (18/04/2022) –

1924 Sunbeam 14/40 Tourer on the Stourbridge Pre War Car Club Stand.

1937 Chevrolet ‘Fangio’, winner of the 2013 Paris to Peking Endurorally. Seen on the Historic Marathon Rally Group stand.

Bron Burrell’s Austin Maxi that competed in the 1970 London to Mexico Rally with a three women crew. Seen on the HMRG stand.

1953-58 Daimler Conquest. Seen on the Motor Vehicle Preservation Society stand.

1936 Riley Kestrel Sprite

1983-90 Reliant Fox Pick Up. Seen on the Realiant Owners Club stand.

1913 Wolseley 24/30 Tourer in the process of restoration.

1953 Jowett Javelin has competed in HRDC events. Seen on the Jowett Owners Club stand.

This is the car that most appealed to me today.

1929 Jowett 7hp Sports

1952 Jowett Jupiter in racing trim.

1961-73 Volvo P1800 in “The Saint”, TV Series, trim.

1968 Simca 1200S Bertone Coupe. One of only six RHD cars sold in the U.K.

1981-84 Matra Murena.

Current Alpine A110 Legende

1958 Frisky Sprint – the only one built!

1995 Midas Mk. 4 Cortez

1936 Standard AvonFour Door Pillarless Saloon

1961 TVR Grantura Mk. IIa. One of myfavourite cars from the ’60s, still holding its own today.

Coleshill Breakfast Meets Stand, One

Coleshill Breakfast Meets Stand, Two

Coleshill Breakfast Meets Stand, Three.

CAROLE NASH’S BARN FINDS 

1959 Dodge Sierra Station Wagon

1956 Hillman Husky Mk. I

1975 Jaguar XJC V12

CARS FOR SALE

1969 MGC Sebring. For sale by Oselli – £32,950.

1964 Austin Healey 3000 Mk. III BJ8 – £58,000

1954 Austin Healey 100 BN1 – £27,000 – £30,000

CARS FOR SALE – AMERICANA

1938 U.K. built Chrysler Wimbledon (Plymouth P6 in U.S.) cabriolet – £20,000 – £25,000 

1957 Oldsmobile Starfire Ninety Eight Holday Sedan – £18,000 – £24,000

1932 Buick Sedan – £8,000 – £10,000

1934 Series 50 Sedan – £12,000 – £15,000

1916 Saxon 12HP two seater – £12,000 – £15,000

A COUPLE OF OTHERS IN THE SALE –

2008 Carver One three wheeled tilting car – £32,000 – £36,000.

1934 Daimler LQ3 Four Door Tourer – £30,000 – £35,000

AUSTIN HEALEY CLUB

1954 Austin Healey 100 BN1

So, there you are, a brief summary of what was on offer at the 2022 Classic Car & Restoration Show, held at the fabulous Birmingham National Exhibition Centre. I hope that you enjoyed it.

Nick