Rust and Resto Delights Enthusiasts at the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show

The Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show attracted 26,912 attendees (26,872 in 2023) to Birmingham’s NEC over the weekend, showcasing rust and restoration demos and live projects from over 160 car clubs.

Show Director Lee Masters said: “Seeing the clubs work together to share their knowledge and skills was really heart-warming. We had all ages working on cars which gives you real hope for our community as we embrace our heritage as well as nurturing future generations.  

“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 Mini Countryman in the Practical Classic World workshop, the Rover project they had restored was sold by Classic Car Auctions for £4,276 in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.  

Visitors were also treated to interviews and expert panels featuring Ant Anstead, Richard Hammond, Paul Cowland and Gary Mavers. Dominic Chinea from BBC’s The Repair Shop, Dream Car Fixers’ Sheldon Nichols, and Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics gaffer Derek Mathewson all made their Your Shout stage debuts.

The Footman James Barn Find display saw 20 unearthed classics vying for the visitors’ votes. It was Derek Drinkwater’s 1950 Cadillac Flower Car 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 Colin Fidler lift the trophy with his 1956 Austin A35. Second place went to Mervyn Spencer’s 1965 Morris Minor while David Shepherd-Jones came third with his 1970 Mini Clubman.  

The Sporting Bears Motor Club raised over £19,000 from operating Dream Rides throughout the weekend with cars ranging from an Aston Martin Vantage to a Ford Model T.

The National Car Club Awards celebrated the work of the clubs, both at the show and throughout the year, presenting 13 awards.

Ray Newell of the Morris Minor Owners Club received the Lifetime Achievement award whilst the Wigton Motor Club were presented with the coveted Car Club of the Year award.

Other winners included the Gay Classic Car Group and Minikits for the Best Stand at show, in the large and small section respectively. The Morris Marina Owners Club was celebrated for Best Live Demonstration whilst the Jowett Car Club made it a hat-trick for Best Live Working on a Car Club Stand at the Show.

Best Barn Find/Unrestored went to Ollie Cox’s 1977 Saab 900 on the Saab Owners Club Stand. The Best Restored Car at Show was won by Graham Meacher’s 1970 Morris LCV Van on the Morris LCV Register stand.

The Celebrities Choice Award, given to the car that turned their heads and stole their hearts, was won by John Holloway’s 1971 Sunbeam Sport, on The Imp Club stand.

Classic Car Weekly’s Club Hero award, voted for by the readers, was presented posthumously to Steve McKenna from the Ford Sidevalve Owners Club for his legacy to the club.

The award for Support of the Next Generation was presented to the Oxford Universities Motorsport Foundation which has shared its engineering expertise with more than 600 young people, some of which now work in high profile roles in the motoring industry.

The accolade for Charitable Endeavours was given to the Morris Minor Owners Club for their fundraising for Marie Curie, whilst The Italian Job won Best Run/Event of the Year.

Looking ahead, the 2025 Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show will take place from Fri 21 to Sun 23 March. For more information and updates, visit www.necrestorationshow.com.