Footman James Classic Car Show Manchester
Manchester’s annual show punched well above its weight with cars this year
Nestled within a stone’s throw of Manchester’s Trafford Centre shopping complex, the Footman James Classic Car Show offered respite for the weary historic vehicle enthusiast away from packed multistorey car parks, designer lattes and over-the-top architecture.
Iffy weather didn’t deter keen showgoers, with EventCity’s basic decor letting the exhibits speak for themselves; show and shine exhibits vied with restoration projects, active rally stages and a busy autojumble. Demand was so great on the second day of the show that organisers kept the gates open 15 minutes later than usual to take advantage of passing trade.
Big draws among the club stands included the Riley RM Club, with its partially-restored RMC roadster, the quattro Owners’ Club, which showed off a car formerly used by
CCW’s sister magazine Car, and the Jaguar Driver’s Club, which marked 50 years of the luxury saloon with a model-by-model display. Visitors also loved the Retro Caravan Club,
’Demand was so great that organisers kept the gates open longer’
which had a Carry On- themed display, complete with a beach photobooth.
Sunday guests were treated to a talk from former Wheeler Dealers host Edd China, speaking for the first time at Event City and keen to update fans on the progress of his two new programmes, E-type restoration show Built By Many and project intervention series Edd China: Garage Revival.
Edd said: ‘Manchester has a really lovely vibe. The show has a really eclectic selection of vehicles and the standard of workmanship is epic. There really is something for everyone’.