I decided last month that I fancied going to the big Classic Car Show at the NEC in Birmingham this year. I haven’t been since 2018, partly because of COVID but mainly because it was getting a bit “samey”.
In the past, we have driven down as a group in one car… but this year I’m still kinda recovering from an operation in August, Dave is still recovering from a flood last January, and his wife is still recovering from far more serious surgery than I had. I don’t fancy driving for hours there and back, or even sitting in a car while someone else drives.
So the solution is - I’m going to fly down in the morning, visit the show then fly back at a reasonable time - and at a cost that’s less than the fuel would be. No brainer!
So I’m up at first sparrow fart and off to the airport, where I’ve booked a parking space. Security is a breeze (for once) so I’ve got an hour to spare… I notice that the airport is full of men of a certain age, travelling alone or in small groups, and I start a game of “guess who’s going to the same place as me…”
Then I bump into Nick, who also owns a 1957 Chevy, so we blether until we get on the plane. He’s sitting near the front and I’m at the back, so I’m beside a stranger who has “the look” of a man who is into classic cars. Don't ask me what that "look" is, but I recognise it when I see it. Sure enough, we start talking and he says that he has a 1930s Austin with an ignition problem - it’s burning ignition points. I suggest that it might be the condenser or its earth, and he agrees that’s what his ancient mechanic thinks. Which is nice…
So… we arrive at Birmingham and I survey my fellow travellers - yes, most of those that I suspected in Edinburgh, are on this flight!
I meet up with Nick again for the journey to the venue and a bit of breakfast, then we agree to split up for the show.
First stop - the TVR stand. Lots of nice shiny cars including this 3000S. None of the later S-Series though...
There's a scale replica of a Cerbera that a member built for his 9-year-old daughter. It's built on a mobility scooter chassis but it's a pretty accurate model. There's two TVR members with name badges standing alongside, so I start to talk about it. They couldn't have been less interested if they tried... their priority was to carry on with their own conversation. Well, I thought their role today should be to talk to people about TVRs, but apparently not, and I'm not the type to intrude on these cosy wee chats, so I politely head for another area of the stand where Corrine, from the club's office, is a bit more friendlier.
Still no offer of tea or biscuits from the plentiful supply behind the barrier though. I can take a hint - so I bugger off to see the rest of the show.
TVR Car Club subscription is due for renewal in March eh? Hmmm.... I doubt that the objective of attending the show was to piss off 20-year members, but if it was, then it was entirely successful.
In the opposite corner of the same hall, is the stand for Porsche Club GB. Now, I don't really attend many Porsche events, because I get the feeling that
they're not all that interested in the older air-cooled models. But at the stand, they invite me in for a coffee and a chat if I'm a member. I don't have
my card with me but that's ok, they can look it up - yes, there I am, in you go... A couple of people have a wee chat, it's all very friendly.
This was interesting - a full-size cutaway!
I am strangely attracted to these ugly-looking beauties - the Porsche 914.
Now, the Porsche Club is a massive business, with several times the membership of the TVR Car CLub, so you would expect things to be a bit more refined. But it isn't - the TVR Club have won "best stand" several times at this show. What makes the difference is attitude, bearing mind that a poor "brand ambassador" can spoil the brand
Moving on - there’s just too much to see, but here’s a few highlights:
A Ford Corsair - exactly the same colour as my first one. I passed my test in one of these...
The first Triumph 2000 off the production line - or rather, half of it - the other half has turned to dust, so it has no boot floor, dubious structural
integrity and "moneypit" written all over it. But it's the very first so will be restored.
I really liked this Rolls-Royce. It's about a foot and a half too long (and about a foot too wide) for my garage though. The cream bits on the sides have
been brush-painted by the previous owner (if you look close enough) but it still looks good. The owner said she was thinking of getting it resprayed, but I
suggested that she leave it - they were brush-painted from the factory so it looks like it should.
If I ever get an electric car, then I'm getting a home charger like this in my drive...
Here's some more random photos from the day:
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Then it's back to the airport with the other sad sods, meet up with Nick and back on the plane, and home by 8pm!
All in all, a great day - plenty exercise (18,000 steps) although I am not sure that will offset the various tasty treats enjoyed to break up the walking.
And best of all - no baggage allowance so no purchases of random crap!
