The Big Picture
Record numbers take the road to Birmingham for the friendly show
Why the PC Classic Car and Restoration show was the greatest show on earth.
This year’s Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show broke all records as the NEC was inundated with enthusiasts from across the world. An astonishing 28,151 visitors descended upon the Birmingham venue to see more than 1000 classics on stands hosted by a record 159 classic car clubs.
Throughout the weekened, each club presented their own fascinating restoration demonstrations, while on the Practical Classics Live Stage with Discovery, the PC team unveiled the results of their own project car – a 1954 Citroën 2CV. Discovered by Assistant Editor James Walshe in December, the car was rebuilt in front of an audience who watched it start and drive for the first time in 43 years. ‘We began with a bare chassis on the Friday and, incredibly, it was driven away from the show on the Sunday,’ said James. ‘The team worked tirelessly to get it running, after some truly genuine jeopardy!’
From the 165 shiny classics available up for grabs with Classic Car Auctions – which took an amazing £2.1 million in its sale – to the Carole Nash Barn Find display featuring classics in various stages of decay, the show had something for everyone, no wonder it is Britain’s fastest growing classic car event.
Among the visitors was Peter Riggall, who’d flown in from New Zealand. ‘It was worth the travelling time just
to see the huge number of incredible classics and such skills on display.’ Meanwhile,
Practical Classics Editor Danny Hopkins says it was, once again, a roaring success. ‘Our show gets bigger and bigger every year. From clubs to specialists, the weekend is fuelled by passion. It’s a show full of the best experiences and the very best people. It’s the friendly show!’
On the Saturday night the Classic Car Club Awards were bigger than ever, Hosted by Mike Brewer they included ‘at show’ awards for the Jowett Car Club, Saab Owners Club and West Berkshire Classic Car Club.
‘It’s a show full of the very best experiences and the best people’