FBHVC SKILLS ZONE LAUNCHED AT PRACTICAL CLASSICS
Published: 04/02/2020
The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) will introduce its brand-new Skills Zone at the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery, held 27-29 March at Birmingham’s NEC.
The FBHVC has been supporting the classic car movement for decades but is excited to launch this new initiative. Alongside the Federation’s traditional core activities such as heritage, research and legislation, the FBHVC Skills Zone will deliver help and advice on the practical aspects of classic car ownership.
Bringing together Federation partners and businesses with practical workshop demonstrations, the FBHVC Skills Zone will feature training sessions led by the Heritage Skills Academy Training Director, Steve Beaumont.
Visitors to the FBHVC stand will be able to enjoy a series of ten-minute tutorials followed by 20 minutes of hands-on experience. Dealing with subjects important to anyone involved in the maintenance or restoration of classic vehicles, the sessions will cover aspects such as tyres and electrical fault-finding.
But just as fascinating will be the demonstrations of restoration skills. Delivered by FBHVC partners, these include a fascinating look at vehicle trimming. The resident trimmer at Bicester Heritage, Harry Fraser Vehicle Upholstery, will show how restorers can achieve perfect results with their own classic. Harry will not only be bringing along a re-trimmed Austin 7 but visitors will be able to watch him at work, too.
Specialists Clement & Boggis will also be on hand to demonstrate the art of ‘wheeling’ which, as many classic car enthusiasts will know, involves the skilled use of an English Wheel to form body panels and repair sections.
King Dick Tools will also be delivering a session guaranteed to be of interest to anyone working on classic vehicles. In existence since 1856 and the only spanner manufacturer in the UK, Managing Director Griff Roberts will be giving a talk on choosing the right tools for a job and how to use them correctly.
An undoubted star of the FBHVC stand will be the Alvis TC21 recently acquired by the Federation’s Research Director, Paul Chasney. Visitors to the show will be able to vote for whether the car is preserved or subjected to a restoration. The Alvis will be joined on the stand by an early Citroen 2CV and a racing VW Beetle.
The FBHVC Skills Zone represents an exciting new addition to the Federation’s activities and reinforces its commitment to promoting and preserving Britain’s classic vehicle heritage. Visitors are encouraged to head along to the stand in Hall 5 to enjoy everything it has to offer and to show their support.
The Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show, with Discovery, is held 27-29 March 2020 at Birmingham’s NEC. For more information as well as the ticket prices and booking details, visit www.necrestorationshow.com
