This year’s Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show 2023, with discovery+, welcomed 26,872 attendees to Birmingham’s NEC for a three-day festival of rust and restoration.
Classic Car Clubs at Restoration Show 2023
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.
Peter James Insurance launched a brand-new club scheme with the Triumph Sports Six Club (TSSC). TSSC Insurance was launched with a champagne reception on day two of the show and saw Peter James team members present throughout the three days answering queries from Triumph enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Partnerships Manager at Peter James, Dave Youngs visited many of the exhibiting clubs to offer help and advice on insurance matters throughout the weekend.
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.”
Practical Classics ‘Rebel with a Cause’
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.
Restoration Show 2023 Live Stage
Visitors were also treated to interviews and expert panels on the show’s live stage featuring Wheeler Dealers Mike Brewer and Car SOS’ Fuzz Townshend. Actor and Classic Obsession host Gary Mavers made his show debut. They all also throw their support behind the FBHVC’s Drive it Day urging enthusiasts to display their official rally plate with pride to raise money for the NSPCC’s Childline charity – get yours at www.driveitday.co.uk.
2023 National Car Club Awards winners
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.
Peter James customer wins Pride of Ownership
Peter James customer Paul Clappison was awarded the trophy for the Pride of Ownership competition for his 1989 Porsche 944 (with the rare 2.7 litre engine). Congratulations Paul!
The 2024 Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show will take place from Fri 22 to Sun 24 March 2024.
