NEC Classic Motor Show - 13th-15th November 2009

[Rich]

Once again, the UK's largest indoor classic car show is being hosted by the NEC, Birmingham. The show always provides a full day's entertainment with a wide range of cars, parts, tools, accessories and a whole bunch of fellow enthusiasts under one roof. The big clubs and register will all be there so you're sure to see many familiar faces about the place.

This year, I'm attending as a guest and driving up on the Saturday morning. If anyone is interested in a convoy from Northants, please let me know.

NOTE: Change of meeting place. We're now gathering at the Crossroads Hotel, where the A5 crosses the A45 at Weedon, at 9.30am. We chose this time as the show opens at 9.30am and this will give a little time for the queues to die down. Anyone who wants to join us is more than welcome.

Attendees:

• Rich & Kate
  
• Lee
  
• Nick

[Nick]

If I am free I'll be there, need to check with Karen what we are up to that weekend first though - obviously I'd convoy in .....speak to you all in a week or so I'm away on my hols tonight

[Rich]

Send us a postcard!

Rich

[Lee121]

May come up to this.....have to see

[uk kiwis]

We have Saturday tickets so will be going. Not to Top Gear live though too late, only six o,clock show left. Bit expensive anyway.

[Rich]

Dave, are you coming up in the convoy then? We've got our tickets too!

Rich

[uk kiwis]

Hi Richard...Just noticed this blog..Yes would be pleased to join in. Have you set a meet/time? Just let me know.

[Lee121]

Fairly sure that I will go on this......will prob get tickets at venue.....no internet yet at home, very limited access at work

[uk kiwis]

Hi Richard...others....

Have decided to mosey on up to this show on our tod's as I really want to see ALL OF IT.

It is such a big show plus the bikes and so on that I feel you need the whole day. From past experience I find that by the time one drives up with traffic unpreditable then parks God knows where half a mile from the show ground then waits for a coach, park to show then shuffles in and a few minutes to sort bearings and so (not forgetting a coffee at £8.00 (only joking but it is dear there) well, the day just goes.

We will leave 8am on the Saturday if all goes according to plan.

For something completey different and as they say, and probably the wrong place for this blog?

Have been talking to a guy I know who next May is shipping his 2003 MG F 135 to the States (he is booked so he is going) for a seven week tour of MG contacts. Canada to New York. Now that is something. He has been invited everywhere like a God so keen are they to see the prohibited MG F.( apart that is from the small window for one obscure model we all know about) I have a few details if anyone is interested. Can expand this blog then.

[Rich]

Dave, what are you doing, you naughty boy!?!?

Feel free to start a new thread on Roger Pratten's stateside adventures...

Back on topic, as the show doesn't open until 9.30am, we'll still be there from the beginning with plenty of time to see everything! Anyhow, we may see you there.

So anyone else fancy driving up with us?

Rich

[uk kiwis]

Sure will see you there. You can buy me one of those expensive coffees.......ha

(The Stateside visit will have a daily blog I am told, will get details in due cource.)

[Rich]

Not at the NEC prices I won't! We're taking our own food & drink to this so there's more money for 'pressies'...

Rich

[uk kiwis]

Good idea that, taking lunch, cheese sarnies for me thanks, will bring our own hip flask.

[Nick]

If you havent got tickets yet and are planning on going use the coupon code clubs09 for a £10 discount, I've just done mine on line and used the printed at home option so I have it in my grubby mits for the princely sum of £13 + £1.00 processing fee. Jobs a good 'un

[uk kiwis]

What a show! The best yet in fact too much to see and in six hours we did not manage to get around all the exhibits.

The highlight for us was the half hour interview with Jem Marsh celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the building of Marcos cars. His new book is out and he signed one especially for us. (we owned a six cylinder Volvo for many years in NZ) hence the interest in the marque.

The American classic stand also a treat if you like that kinda thing? Just love those outragious fifties laviathants. Pedestrian slicer wings and boot lines.

The MG content held more than enough nostalgia all on their own and the Tickford MG TA was outstanding also the Police enthusiasts MG content.

Yes a fantastic display of the sort of cars we all just love.

[Rich]

Agreed it was a good day out and we did actually get to see everything we were interested in, although I would have to disagree about it being the best. It was much quieter than usual for a weekend day and there was a noticeable absence of the bigger traders actually trading, like Rimmers only promoting and Moss and Brown & Gammons missing completely. Still, it meant my credit card was protected. Perhaps a sign of the crunch again as I know retailers have to pay quite a bit for a spot and sales generally down.

Looking forward to the shows of the new year where I can start gathering supplies for 'Project Ollie'... Or there's always eBay, eh Nick?!?!

Rich

[Nick]

Great show, loads of variety I spent lots of time wandering around the Jaguar stands reminicing (ex E-type. XJS, X-Type and S-Type owner), as well as the Fast Ford stands (ex - XR2 owner). Some awesome exotica that are still on my list to own Ferrari, Maserati, Noble, Lotus and Matra's, Porsche, Marcos, the list goes on I could have spent several Euro million wins and still not had enough lft over for fuel.

Great 'static' show but not much from the retailers, I guess that'll be for the NAC show in February....

.....and yup I ended up getting my new lights from Brown and Gammons on line when I got home

[Rich]

Kiwi Dave asked if I could link to his pictures from the day... so I have!

Click here to see them...

Nice pics. I was hoping you may have got some shots of Matt's MGF but not to worry as I'' take some when I go up to see him in a couple of week's time.

Rich

[uk kiwis]

Thanks Richard.....Can do most things computer geekie but putting photos on here escape my meager skills just now.

[Nick]

Fantastic pictures there Dave, made me realise I missed a few of the stands during the day. I was surprised at the lack of MX-5s on the Gay Classic Car Club stand though

Well my new tinted rear lights are on good old Brown and Gammons

[uk kiwis]

As Richard says a few traders missing but then I guess they may have to watch expenditure and were probably at the Stoneleigh restoration show the week before.

I thought it a pretty good effort though and I think meeting so many people we now know on the various MG stands made it all the more enjoyable. Got so carried away I even forgot to pick up our pre paid MG Live CD. Glad you enjoyed the photos. There is an article to go with those photos and it will appear in a couple of days time.

[Rich]

And here is the article!

Rich

[Lee121]

great pics......good article as ever.....well done dave

[uk kiwis]

Thanks..

I enjoy doing them. Glad you find them worth while. Probably I could do with a better camera but the one I use, Fugi Film 8.3 mega's, goes in the pocket, easy to use and
produces reasonable pictures.

We both also enjoyed the pub meet Thursday.

[Nick]

A good read, thanks for the article dave....oh and how did I miss that ferarri?

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