The inaugural Footman James Manchester Classic Car Show took place at EventCity over the weekend of September 21st and 22nd 2013.
Visitors were treated to a wide and diverse selection of cars ranging from exotica such as Aston Martins, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Maseratis through to all the popular classics from the 1950’s to the 1990’s. Over 60 car clubs, 45 private entries and 15 Concours entries took the total number of cars in the halls into the hundreds.
Not only were there static car displays, but just outside the halls were a full-on rally stage starring fifteen Group B rally cars including a short wheelbase Quattro and a 6R4. Three times daily these icons of historic motorsport pulled huge crowds while providing some fire-breathing, tyre-smoking ‘sideways’ action.
Visitors to the show also had a sneak preview of the 1969 Morris Minor Traveller, which, recently obtained by show sponsor Footman James, has been purchased as a restoration project which classic fans will have the opportunity to win in 2014. The Traveller, which took to the Footman James’ stand alongside a 1978 Ferrari, will be lovingly restored over the next 12 months, during which time fans can follow the vehicle’s restoration journey online. The finished project, expected to be worth in the region of £10,000 - £12,000 upon completion, will be the star prize in a 2014 competition.
Along with the cars there were, of course, lots of trade stands for visitors to peruse, selling a huge variety of classic auto-related products and services, along with a Restoration Workshop hosted by Leeds College giving expert demonstrations on all kinds of restoration techniques.
A spokesman for the organisers said: "We were delighted at the response from everyone involved and for the support the show got from the good people of Manchester and the North West. In fact we also had people travelling to the show from all over the UK and even flying in from Ireland. In all our total attendance was 7,613 which, for ‘year one’ was a remarkable result. The feedback from visitors and exhibitors was superb. Those who had never been to Manchester before commented on the warm welcome they received and everyone was extremely impressed by EventCity as a venue and by the surrounding area for the accommodation and leisure facilities available within just a short walk. We’ll definitely be back next September!"