NEC Classic Motor Show

NOVEMBER'S Classic Motor Show at the NEC is always a great event, and this year’s show was no disappointment. Set over 1 million square feet of halls, 71,000 people flocked to Birmingham over the weekend of the 11-13 November. There were 2500 vehicles on display, with 252 car clubs represented plus another 21 bike clubs. There truly was something for everyone who has an interest in motoring – from a Traction engine to a 1950s Trials bike, from a Metro to a Maserati and from a Routemaster bus to a racing car.

The grass-roots club stands are always more of an attraction for me than the highly polished car traders with exotica for sale. However, a wander around the auction area found me counting my coppers to see if I could afford the Lotus Elite restored by Ant Anstead for the special ‘For the Love of Cars’ aired on the 20 November – I couldn’t… it sold for an astonishing £121,938. I still remember the days of those cars being affordable!
There were plenty of automotive celebrities walking around the show – including Fuzz Townsend (who actually seemed a little omni-present) from Car S.O.S, Mike Brewer from Wheeler Dealers and even Sir Stirling Moss.

For diecast fans, there was a lot to see. Corgi unveiled another new release for 2017, a 1/43 model of the prototype Sunbeam Alpine XRW 302. They quite literally unveiled it – as the original, and beautifully restored, Sunbeam was at the show.

There were a plethora of model traders selling in the traders area of the show. There were some fantastic show deals on Minichamps, Vanguards and Ixo models on offer, but very few ‘classic’ models from Dinky, Corgi, Matchbox etc. This was surprising, as certainly trade was brisk for those that were there. I decided to mull-over a couple of potential purchases and found they were sold by the time I returned to the stall less than half an hour later.

It is an amazing show, that takes a very long time to get around – and you get very tired legs doing so, however the rewards are worth it.  Next year’s show will take place from Friday 10 to Sunday 12th November. Remember to wear comfortable shoes! For more details www.necclassicmotorshow.com.