BL showstoppers

Tribute to five decades of British Leyland at UK’S biggest show

‘It’s set to be the world’s biggest gathering of classic car clubs’

Practical Classics will celebrate 50 years of British Leyland at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show on November 9-11. The team will showcase Matt George’s project Triumph TR6 (see p102) and a low mileage, barn find 1980 Triumph TR7, marking both ends of the BL period. PC Editor Danny Hopkins says it’ll be a chance to celebrate the company’s achievements. ‘The fact so many BL cars are still with us today is really testament to some seriously clever design and the dedication of their owners. Given the show’s theme, it’s a great way to highlight Britain’s lasting engineering heritage at the NEC.’

The TR6 arrived in the first year of BL’S formation while Harris Mann’s famous wedge coupé was launched towards the end of the British Leyland era. The two cars will be on display at the PC stand where members of the team will be on hand to answer questions from thousands of visitors expected across the weekend. This year’s show is set to be the world’s biggest gathering of classic motoring clubs, with 3000 cars and bikes covering a space the size of eighteen football pitches. The focus of the Live Stage will be a 1951 Riley RMA that will be rebuilt by the PC team and then started up for the first time in over 40 years by its previous owner, all presided over by PC editor Danny Hopkins and Wheeler Dealers Mike Brewer and Ant Anstead. Mike says he’s chuffed to be involved again: ‘Having been a part of the event for many years and seen how it has grown with the classic motoring community, it makes me very proud to walk out on that stage and to meet so many likeminded enthusiasts.’

In addition, the show features the UK’S biggest indoor autojumble, a vast classic trader village and there’ll be live restoration tips and advice at the Restoration Theatre.