Birmingham Proves It's Still The Heart And Soul Of Britain's Car Scene At The 2008 Classic Motor Show

BIRMINGHAM – November 5, 2008: The British International Motorshow may have disappeared down the road to London a few years ago, but who cares! Birmingham’s classic car presence is stronger than ever at the 2008 Classic Motor Show, held at the NEC from the 14th to 16th November.

Thanks to a strong showing of local clubs and national clubs celebrating car and motorcycle marques built in and around Birmingham, it will be nigh on impossible for show visitors to walk a few yards without encountering someone or something with a classic Brum connection.

“The Classic Motor Show is the single most important event of the year,” says Andrew McAdam from the Association of Rootes Car Clubs (remember the Rootes companies: Singer, Hillman, Sunbeam-Talbot and Humber...?) “It’s the best show of the season, it’s our showcase – we get more interest per person – and there hasn’t been a year we’ve regretted going.”

The Midlands Austin 7 Club will have a selection of Britain’s first people’s car on display: there will be a box saloon, two Austin 7 specials (sporty 7’s with special, sometimes home-fabricated, coachwork) and a Big 7 special. It’s hard to quantify the impact this little car had on Briton’s mobility due to its combination of mass-produced availability and affordability gave people true individual freedom of mobility for the first time. The Austin 7 was also the first car to standardise driving controls (ie the placing of the gearstick and the order of the pedals) which today we take for granted.

Following in the wheeltracks of the Austin 7 and the Austin A30/35, the Mini was a far more revolutionary affordable car – and as it approaches its 50th birthday – the Birmingham Mini Owners’ Club will have an impressive display of cars on show which is bound to get you humming The Self Preservation Society. Also, there will be a rocking box race – where enthusiasts have transformed engine rocker boxes into miniature racers. This has to be seen to be believed.

Meanwhile one of Austin’s less-celebrated creations, the Allegro will be present on Allegro Club International’s stand. Helping to counter the car’s image, famous Allegros on show include the police car from BBC’s Life On Mars and a Vanden Plas 1500 from Britain’s Worst Celebrity Driver which has also appeared on Deals on Wheels. Frequently mocked for a host of design faults, the Allegro now appears to be undergoing a retro reappraisal and along with Ralf Little is even one of the stars of BBC3’s new comedy Massive.

In addition to all the other Austin-related clubs – get ready to take a deep breath – the A30/35 Owners’ Club, Austin Counties Car Club, Austin Sheerline and Princess, Austin 10 Drivers’ Club, Maestro & Montego Owners’ Club, Metropolitan Owners’ Club, Mini Cooper Register, the Rover 200 & 400 Club and www.theBRM.co.uk (the club for Rover 200 BRM enthusiasts) – stands for the Midland Vehicle Preservation Society and the Quinton Motor Club, which turns 50 next years, will exhibit a wider range of classic marques.

More interested in two-wheeled transport? Well, the Birmingham connection continues on the stands of the Norton Owners’ Club (which will be building up to the club’s 50th birthday) and the BSA Owners’ Club as part of the new Classic Bike display.

Phil Bull from the BSA Owners’ Club (Birmingham) says: “We usually have around 15 BSA’s on our stand and Martin Russell will be on our stand, he’s a former BSA employee who raced Rocket 3’s for the factory.

He adds: “Every year, we have been quite overwhelmed by visitors (who have come to see classic cars) and I wouldn’t expect this year to be any different. It should be another healthy promotion for the BSAOC so in that regard, the decision to feature classic bikes will hopefully raise awareness of the historic bike movement among the car-owning public.”

But that’s not all! In addition to the clubs, there will also be a flood of other great activities to experience as well as the vast array of fantastic classic cars, services, parts and products.

The Restoration Theatre is a live seminar held by a team of restoration experts from the Leeds College of Technology. The team isn’t just there to demonstrate a wide range of techniques – but they can actually physically show you what’s involved and how best to tackle a project.

Dream Rides will be an opportunity for visitors to go for a ten-mile ride in a classic exotic – so if you’re really lucky perhaps your dream car might be on hand to give you a rare taste of the real thing. All you have to do is make a donation to charity.

Meanwhile TV motoring presenter Mike Brewer, along with his trusty mechanic Edd China, will be hosting Wheeler Dealer Live on the Live Stage, providing visitors with professional hands-on demonstrations, advice, famous faces and plenty of entertainment.

Still want more? Well, this year’s show also has an exciting first, Classic Bikes at the Classic Motor Show, an area solely dedicated to classic machinery of the two-wheeled variety. Adjoining the main display halls, the Pavilion is a 5,000 square metre shrine to motorcycles and scooters which will be predominantly occupied by club displays. You name it and you’ll probably see it – from the humble Vespa to the mighty Vincent HRD.