Date: 05 March, 2016
Location: The NEC Birmingham, B40 1NT
No classic car event is growing faster than the Practical Classics Restoration & Classic Car Show - and you can be part of it. The NEC Birmingham exhibition welcomed 19,000-plus classic fans last year.
On March 5-6 you can savour 700 cars, 120-plus classic club stands, 350 specialist traders and exhibitors and 150-plus autojumblers, vendors and specialist restorers. But that’s just the start of it…
Classic restorations
Epic restorations and barn-find bonanzas come guaranteed.
Toying with the idea of doing one of the former yourself? Then get ready to be inspired with some recent restoration projects on show.
These range from a Porsche 911S (1971), which rose from the rust in a dank lock-up, to an awesome Aston Martin DB6, which was in bits for 18 years.
Meanwhile, the hunt is on to help Practical Classics stage Britain’s largest barn find collection. Last year this part of the show included 28 motors, such as an Austin Healey 3000 BT7, an Aston Martin V8 and an 83-year-old Singer Junior Special Sport. Could yours make the grade this time around?
Don’t leave without…
• Visiting the FJ stand: Gary Stretton, journalist, former editor and owner of Stretton classics will be giving advice and showing enthusiasts how to fit LED interior lighting upgrades, electronic ignition in 30 minutes, electric screen wash upgrade and many more.
Visitors can come over to see the work in action and ask Gary of the specifics, getting hints and tips for their own restoration projects. Work will also be carried out on the FJ Director’s classic MG Roadster 1967 following on from the Footman James Beginner Workshop.
• Casting your vote: Help decide the Practical Classics Restorer of the Year winner. These include an Austin Seven retirement project, 13-year Chevrolet Corvette restoration, Alfa Romeo Spider, Ford Mustang and American LaFrance fire engine. Take a sneak preview of the 27 candidates by visiting the official web page.
• Asking the experts: Test the brains of the experts on hand with all your motoring questions.
• Taking a luxury spin: Fancy taking a 10-mile passenger trip aboard your fantasy car and raise money for charity? Well now you can. But which of Sporting Bears’ 32 dream motors will you choose? Perhaps a purring Porsche 911, a joyous Jaguar E-type Coupe or even a magnificent Maserati 3200GT?
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