Classic Motor Show, A Full Day Out
Report and Impressions of the UK's Major Classic Automobile Event
Nov 15, 2008
The car show is spread across four full halls and apart from the club displays there are extensive trade stalls. Now it also has classic motorcycles which this year filled another hall and will be subject of a separate article.
The Unusual
On entering the main hall the visitor's first major sight is of the striking Tatra V855 Aerosanne– an aerocar/ snowmobile. Ecorra, the original Czech factory was commissioned by collector Jeff Lane to build the second example of this combined snowmobile and aerocar.The original was built in 1942 during Nazi occupation and this version was built using the same parts but in 2008 – so is it an original, a replica or more properly a continuation model? It was exhibited at this show on its way to the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Model T Ford Centenary
Ford Model T was celebrating 100 years and it was supported by a substantial display of Fords and will be getting considerable publicity elsewhere. There were many other dates to celebrate.
Celebrating Seventy Years of Citroen Traction Avant Innovation
In a year of many motoring anniversaries one of the more important was the 70 years of the innovative Citroen Traction Avant; the development costs of which forced Andre Citreon to sell the company. On the stand were several examples of the model including perhaps the first hatchback. The Paris built Legere pictured here had a huge lifting rear tailgate and could accommodate a substantial load.
Fifty Years On for Austin-Healy, Rover and Skoda
Clearly 1958 was a busy year as many marques were celebrating fiftieth anniversaries. It seems to be the time when the first proper post war cars were starting to be launched. The Rover P5 beloved of country doctors and bank managers, and indeed Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, was one of them.
The first of the affordable modern sports cars, the Austin-Healey Sprite, was launched in Monaco on 20th May 1958. The Austin-Healey stand was given over to this popular frog-eyed sports car and had a display of four pristine examples replicating a photograph of the Monaco launch.
Skoda also had a fifty year old car on their stand. Although much maligned in the 1970s and 80 this manufacturer has a long history of innovation including involvement with aircraft. Skoda are well know for their rallying success and there were several rally cars on the stand. Less well known is their racing pedigree and there was a pretty little orange sports car on their stand which had raced at the 1958 Le Mans. Powered by an 1,100cc engine with twin overhead cam and rear mounted five speed gearbox it was clearly slippery as it had top speed of 190kph (120mph) from only 90bhp.
Concours and Uncompleted Restorations.
Most of the cars on display were immaculate and, one suspects in many cases, better than when they left the factory. But there was the obligatory barn find. A Rolls-Royce, apparently discovered in a barn in Kent, had not seen the light of day since 1948. It appeared to be complete and will no doubt be restored over the next few years.
Also on display which, superficially at least, looked, in a worst state than the Rolls-Royce was a Triumph TR3 on the TR Register’s large stand. In fact it was a restoration project that had been abandoned after the body had been stripped 20 years ago. It was essentially sound but needed cleaning of surface rust and rebuilding – it was for sale as the rescuer had other commitments.
Comprehensive
All major marques and models were represented and to do the show full justice an article several times longer than is possible here would be needed. The keen visitor would need a full day to get round and talk to exhibitors. The exhibitors were overwhelmingly friendly, and as true enthusiasts, extremely willing to talk knowledgeably about their passion. Bonnets (hoods) and doors were opened and closed to accommodate visitors and to allow photographers access to all the details, nooks and crannies.
Trade
The whole industry that supports the classic car enthusiast was also well represented. With an Autojumble where individuals might hope to find those odd missing components, labels badges and the like that make so much difference to originality. Everything else was available from replacement bodyshells, components and services to enable a classic of almost any age to be rebuilt. Inaddition there were classic car insurers, providers of classic car storage and restoration services.
Even complete replicas of famous, and not so famous, models were on show and available for sale. There were classic and other old cars for sale alongside modern sports replicas and antique sports cars.
And then there were the Motorcycles at the Classic Car Show.
Shows such as the Classic Motor Show are an ongoing project and many clubs were already preparing for next year especially where they have a major event to celebrate. Put it in the diary!
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