CLASSIC WORLD The Big Picture
More clubs, more cars, loads more action
Record crowds at the PC Resto show, record sales at CCA...
What a weekend! A record 25,128 classic enthusiasts attended the Practical
Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show at the NEC on March 31 – April 2, making it the biggest yet with a 20% uplift from 2016. A total of 132 clubs worked their socks off all weekend, with more fettling away live than ever before. And the two PC projects on the show’s Live Stage – Editor Danny’s Jensen Interceptor and the Austin Westminster – both ran, with the A105 estate going a step further, being driven on and off stage, the first time it has moved under its own power in four decades.
The Classic Car Club Awards on the Saturday night saw Car of the Show presented to Alan Buckle for his magnificent Jet 1 replica, on display at the Rover Sports Register stand (the club also won Best Club Magazine) and the Morris Minor Owners’ Club celebrated Rosie Hamilton’s Lifetime Achievement Award. More than £12,000 was raised at the NEC by the Sporting Bears Club, who richly deserved the Special Judges Award.
Sir Greg Knight MP, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group, joined PC on the Live Stage and presented the PC award for Best Restored Car on the Saturday night to the Jowett Club for the oldest Jowett in existence, the 1913 Tiller which was on display.
At the Classic Car Auctions show sale, cars worth £2.4million found new owners, an excellent 75% sale rate, CCA’S highest figure since being founded. Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership was won by Keith Edmunds and his 1972 Triumph Spitfire and the Practical Classics Restorer of the Year prize, the coveted ‘Golden Spanner’ was presented to Vic Young for his
‘In just three years this event has grown to half the size of the Classic Motor Show’
immaculate Mini Traveller.
The new Wheeler Dealers duo Mike Brewer and Ant Anstead spent much of the weekend with PC editor Danny Hopkins on the Live Stage, enjoying the two live restorations being attempted by the PC team and their partners from CBR Motor Bodies and PALE Classics. ‘We are both blown away by the support and response from the team and visitors,’ said Mike. ‘It is a wonderful show, full of real petrolheads.’
Acting show director Lee Masters told us: ‘In just three years, it’s grown to half the size of its “big sister”, the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show.’
PC’S Danny was also full of praise: ‘Along with the Barn Find section hosted by Fuzz Townshend, the autojumble, the Skillshack Workshop with Leeds College and the enormous Trader Village, this was simply the best
PC Resto Show ever.’ Next year’s event is now confirmed – 23-25 March 2018… Save the dates!