Family first at the Classic Motor Show

By Graeme Hurst

| 11 Nov 2011

From wedding scenes and a one-family-owned barn-find cache to a 1:1 scale Dinky toy present and a gangster-inspired line-up, the Running in the Family theme at this year’s Classic Motor Show has led to some inspired club displays.

The annual NEC three-day fixture kicked off at 10 am today, with enthusiasts piling in to admire the fantastic club turnouts with many boasting cars not seen at the NEC before.

Crowd favourites so far have included the Dinky Toy display by the Austin Counties Car Club – with the line-up featuring an Austin J40 and two other pedal cars – while the Panther Car Club (below) fielded a black-and-white line-up inspired by the Mafia, with each member, including Godfather and Godmother owning a model – plus the miscreant in a red Lima.

Families don’t come much bigger than Ford’s, with this year’s centenary of Ford in Britain inspiring fans of the blue oval to go all-out with several model-specific line-ups, including the Mk3 Cortina Owners’ Club’s display of a car from the wife, Grandpa and the kids + a toy for Dad.

The Capri Club International Mansfield & Notts Branch (above) went with a ‘Family wedding’, complete with photos of Capris playing a role in club member’s nuptials, while the getting hitched theme extended to the Sunbeam Alpine Owners’ Club

Other Ford highlights included an array of Model Ts, including a totally original, barn-find 1927 example and the T that was famously driven to the top of Ben Nevis.

Showing some creative inspiration in response to the family theme was the Bexhill 100 Motoring Club's collection of 16 barn-find classics (above) on its stand – all Morrises and all from the same family's property

The Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club has fielded another under-the-skin driven display with examples of a 20/25, Silver Dawn and Silver Shadow cutaway (above) to show their inner workings along with a sectioned Ghost engine.

Other highlights include a fantastic array of vans from the Period & Classic Caravan Club (below), including a 1938 Rice folding camper and a 1941 Winchester boasting a fireplace, while the show’s pre-war offerings extended to the 1911 Renault Type CB that feaures in television period drama, Downton Abbey.

Even older – and taking the record for the heaviest vehicle ever at the NEC – is a 22-ton 1903 Burrell steam traction engine (below) on display on the Masonic Classic Vehicle Club’s stand.

And don’t forget C&SC is on site with a stand in Hall 5 complete with the car featured in this month’s Buying Guide – Johnny Woods’ superb Pantera GTS (below) – and a gorgeous, low-mileage Triumph TR6, along with access to classicandsportscar.com, so you can upload the details of any classics you wish to sell.

What’s more, we have dedicated buying advice from industry expert Brian Page of Classic Assessments at 2pm each day. Don’t miss it!

A selection of photos of show highlights follows. Double click on the lead image to launch a slideshow.

Ford Model T that was driven to the top of Ben Nevis

1911 Renault features in Downton Abbey

Wedding theme on the Sunbeam Alpine Owners' Club stand

Beutler-bodied Bristol 401

Something for Dad on the Ford Cortina Mk3 Owners' Club stand

Morris Minor Owners' Club always has a strong presence at the NEC

Graeme Hurst