Another great Classic Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham. Every year I think that there can’t be any more cars on display that I haven’t seen before but each year I am proved wrong. My aim has always been to photograph vehicles that are rare and or unusual, I hope that you like what I have captured this year. I have never before taken so many photographs at one event to the extent that this report will have to be published in two parts. After reviewing the photographs that I took, I can confirm that I certainly did capture some rare cars, ones that I have never seen before. Thanks to all who put those cars on display and to Clarion Events for organising such a comprehensive show.
I don’t know what the attendance figures will turn out to be but I went on Friday, the first day, as I always do and by mid-day, it was already heaving with people. ** See bottom of the page.
I would like to congratulate the NEC’s management on the way they handled the “Two Minutes Silence” in memory of those who gave their lives in two World Wars and other conflicts. I was deep in conversation with a member of staff on the excellent Sunbeam Alpine stand when at precisely 11.00 am a bell began to toll, counting out the eleven hours. Immediately, silence reigned throughout all the halls and was maintained for the whole two minutes. The elapse of two minutes was announced by a voice, coming over the speakers, to thank people for their respectful participation. I found it a very moving experience, probably made more poignant, for me and most other attendees, by the tragedy taking place in Ukraine.
And now to the photos –
ALLARD
1951 Allard P1
ALVIS
1937 Alvis Speed 25 SC
1966 Alvis TF Seies IV Super Coupe by Graber
AUSTIN
I have to confess that I am a great fan of the Austin Seven in all its guises, maybe it’s because an Austin Seven Ruby, owned by my wider family, was the first car in my life. They are, of course, ubiquitous and I can never resist taking photographs of at least one when they are present. There was certainly a wide selection of different types at this show, here are some of them –
1930 Austin Seven Swallow.
1927 Austin Seven ‘R’ Type.
Practical Classics Magazine – Matt Tomkins’ Austin Seven Special project.
‘Slippery Anne’ an Austin Works Austin Seven race car
1933 Austin 1/4 Tourer
Austin A40 Devon
Austin J40 child’s pedal car
AUSTIN HEALEY
Sprite & Midget Club
Special Mk I Sprite built by BMC South Africa – a very rare car.
Austin Healey Sprite Mk II competition car
Austin Healey Mk I Sprite Sebring raced by Oxford University Motorsport Foundation
1954 Austin Healey 100 owned and registered y DHMCo. possibly used as a demonstrator. One of the most notable features is the factory designed and fitted wing (fender) vents.
1954 Austin Healey 100 BN1 restored and modified to ‘Le Mans’ spec. by Gerald Stevenson. A truly amazing car!
BMW
c.1933 BMW Sports Car developed from AM1 Saloon
BMW 328
BRISTOL
1959 Bristol 406 short chassis Zagato
BUGATTI
Bugatti Type 35
ERA
1930s ERA monoposto racing car
FORD
1963 Ford Cortina Woody Estate
GINETTA
1968 Ginetta G16
HEALEY
1950 Healey X5 (Nash Healey) 3.8 Ltr. Straight Six Nash Engine raced at Le Mans. It could be yours for £M1.2
HILLMAN
A trio of hillman Avenger Tigers
HONDA
Honda 800 S Coupe
HRG
HRG 1500 Sports
JAGUAR
Jaguar Ecurie Ecosse ‘C’ Type replica
1988 Jaguar XJR – 9 Le Mans Winner
Jaguar XK 150 Roadster restoration project
JENSEN
The Jensen Owner’s Club stand where the Jensen CV8’s 60th and Jensen-Healey’s 50th Anniversaries were being celebrated.
Jensen C-V8
Jensen-Healey roadster
LAMBORGHINI
1966 – 73 Lamborghini Miura
1974 – 1990 Lamborghini Countach
MASERATI
Maserati Merak.
MEADOWS FRISKY
Meadows Frisky Sport
MG
1936 MG TA
MORRIS
Morris Six Tourer
RILEY
1898 Riley Voiturette replica by the Riley Motor Club and Riley Register
Riley 9 cabriolet
Riley 1.5 as raced by the Oxford Universities Motorsport Foundation
ROCHDALE
1952-73 Rochdale Olympic Coupe
ROVER
1952 Rover Jet 1
SINGER
1932 Singer 9 Special Sports
1936 Singer 9 Le Mans Special Speed
1934 Singer 9 Le Mans Ex Works Racing Car
SUNBEAM
Lord Rootes cutting the ribbon on the Sunbeam Alpine stand which won the “Best Large Stand” at the show.
1961 Sunbeam Alpine Le Mans
1964 Sunbeam Tiger Le Mans Coupe
TRIUMPH
Customised Triumph Herald 13/60 Estate
WOLSELEY
Wolseley Hornet
** The attendance figures have just been released – there were 69,324 attendees to Birmingham’s NEC for the annual season finale of the classic car community.
Show director, Lee Masters, said: “What an incredible weekend! The atmosphere was fantastic with passionate enthusiasts filling the halls. I was excited walking around and watching the interactions between people. The community coming together made me feel emotional and proud of the movement. Also, the quality of exhibits and displays was off the chart, people went above and beyond. Huge thanks to all the clubs and our partners, exhibitors, and visitors for their continued support.”
Nick
For Part Two click on the image
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