Rust & Restoration Celebrated at the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery+

Published: 28/03/2023

This year’s Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with discovery+, welcomed 26,872 attendees (25,221 in 2022) to Birmingham’s NEC for a three day festival of rust and restoration. 

Around 160 car clubs from across the UK showcased their members’ vehicles from barn finds to fully restored classics, whilst offering demonstrations and live working on project cars. Enthusiasts were shown a wide range of skills from body work and welding to engine rebuilds and wiring systems. 

Show Director Lee Masters said: “The friendly values of the show shone through with the car clubs going above and beyond to provide visitors with knowledge, skills, hacks and tricks on how to restore but also service and maintain their cherished cars."

“The standard of displays, live working and demonstrations reached a new level and the enthusiasm and passion in the hall was a heart-warming marvel. What a pleasure it is to be part of this fantastic community."

“Thanks to everyone involved including all our show partners, sponsors, traders and visitors as well as our motoring celebrities and the team from Practical Classics.” 

Whilst the team from Practical Classics restored a Reliant Scimitar on the Classic World stage, the Reliant ‘Rebel with a Cause’ project they had done last year was sold by Classic Car Auctions for over £5,000 in aid of NHS charities. 

Visitors were also treated to interviews and expert panels featuring Wheeler Dealers Mike Brewer, Master Mechanic Ant Anstead, and Car SOS’ Fuzz Townshend. Actor and Classic Obsession host Gary Mavers made his show debut appearing on stage as well as having two cars on the Footman James Barn Find display. 

Gary’s Rolls Royce Corniche and barn find Lotus Elite were displayed alongside a Porsche 956 belonging to Dominic Chinea from The Repair Shop and other part and fully restored cars from Footman James’ Coffee and Chrome Collective Community. 

The Footman James Barn Find display saw 20 unearthed classics vying for the visitors’ votes. It was Andy Longfield’s 1960 Mini 850 that won the trophy and the audience’s heart. 

At the other end of the scale, the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership competition, also with 20 finalists on show, saw Paul Clappison lift the trophy with his 1989 Porsche 944, exactly five years after he had won with his 1972 MGB. 

Second place went to Jas Duley’s 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190E while 16-year-old Alex Mills came third with his 1998 Rover Mini Cooper. 

The Sporting Bears Motor Club topped last year’s ‘Resto Show Record’ raising nearly £22,500 from operating Dream Rides throughout the weekend. The Bears also picked up the trophy for Charitable Endeavours in this year’s National Car Club Awards. 
The National Car Club Awards celebrated the work of the clubs, both at the show and throughout the year, presenting 13 awards. 

Martin Lilley of the TVR Car Club received the Lifetime Achievement award whilst the Jowett Car Club were presented with Best Live Working on Vehicles at the Show and the coveted Car Club of the Year award. 

Other winners included Klasyczna Polonia UK and Racing-Puma.co.uk for the Best Stand at show, in the large and small section respectively. 

The Ford Corsair Owners Club was celebrated for Best Live Demonstration on a Car Club Stand at the Show.

Best Barn Find/Unrestored went to John Reed’s Austin A70 Hereford on the Austin Counties Car Club Stand.

The Best Restored Car at Show was won by Andy Mason’s 1939 Series III Wolseley 12/48 on the Wolseley Register stand. 

The Celebrities Choice Award, given to the car that turned their heads and stole their hearts, was won by Stuart Waldron’s 1966 Mk1 Transit Van, on the Transit Van Club stand. 

Classic Car Weekly’s Club Hero award, voted for by the readers, was presented to John Simpson of the Boston Classic Car Club for continuing to be the driving force of the club. 

The award for Support of the Next Generation was presented to the Morris Marina Owners Club for restoring and presenting a car to the Classic Car Loan Project. 

The 2024 Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show will take place from Fri 22 to Sun 24 March 2024. For more information and updates, visit www.necrestorationshow.com.