As a regular subscriber to Practical Classics magazine and lover of the cars of my era I have had a visit to the NEC show on my bucket list for some time.
It does however fall just a week before Motorcycle Live which I have attended most years for some time. Its nearly a 300 mile round trip.
A friend asked asked if I would like to attend along with about 8 others and he's driving. So whats not to like other than a 06.45 rendezvous.
Said friend is an avid collector of cars and motorcycles and his daily driver has recently had extensive brake work done on his aging Skoda and an MOT. However true to form an issue has developed with his brakes and one side is getting really hot. Sounds like an issue with a flexi pipe that may have sustained damage. So yours truly is thrust into the spotlight as duty driver. Thing is that I'm deffo driving next week again :/ .
We arrive at the local RV and there are another couple of passengers for our car. 3 car convoy. Nice day for a drive and a hearty breakfast at the OK Diner on the A38 near Derby. Duty driver is treated.
Bit of a queue and delay to get into NEC but not too bad. Comic con is also running. There really are some sights to behold. (You may need to Google that one but lets just say there were a few Stormtroopers armed to the teeth running around).
£36 at the door and £16 parking !!
However loads and loads to see and browse to the point where we didn't have enough quality time to see everything we wanted to see. Plenty of classic cars from all periods, stalls relating to classic cars and of course tools. Never enough tools :). Motorcycles and Silverstone Auction of some lovely cars. Watched the bidding on a Brooklands Capri which reached £18.5 K and a Escort MK 1 Twin Cam which reached £36K (Don't know if they reached a reserve or not). There was a Ford RS200 also up for auction but I really had to move away.
Sightings of Mike Brewer, Ant Anstead, Johnny Smith and 'Elvis" Priestly. The delightful Sarah Crabtree (Bangers and Cash) from our part of the world was also in attendance. If you watch Youtube ODD Autos were also present. They've rebuilt a few Ford classics to a good standard.
So an excellent day if not a tad expensive. However for us traveling if I go in future I will spread it over 2 days and stay locally. That is what we are doing for the bike show next week which I would say is somewhat smaller.
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Sounds like a great day out FC.
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It was. And as we all have a motoring bond I would highly recommend to put it on your list but an early start at the doors required if you want to do it justice in a day.
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NEC Classic Motor Show. - Runfer D'Hills
