Barnfind fever hits resto show
The biggest-ever Classic Car & Restoration Show drew more than 28,000 visitors and 159 car clubs to Birmingham’s NEC from 22-24 March, with more than 1000 classics ranging from concours contenders to festering wrecks.
Insurance broker Carole Nash turned out an impressive collection of barnfinds including a Triumph TR6, Austin A35 and a Singer Gazelle, while the Pride of Ownership Spring Final was won by Paul Clappison’s 1972 MGB GT. It was run close by Bronwyn ‘Bron’ Burrell’s World Cup Rally Austin Maxi, with Graham Varley’s 1993 Volkswagen Corrado VR6 rounding out the podium.
Star of the Live Stage was an early Citroën 2CV, which started as a shell on day one before being driven off the stage on the final day by Wheeler Dealers’ Mike Brewer.
The event also hosted an auction of affordable classics, which raised £2.06m from 159 lots. Top billing went to a superb ’72 Alfa Romeo Montreal (left), which sold for £59,400 following a recent £28k body restoration and bare-metal respray after being purchased at a Silverstone Auctions sale in 2013.