Just back from a second day at the Classic Motor Show at Birmingham's NEC and thought I’d share my favourite 'cars of the show'.
Not an easy task, mind, as, with 230 clubs and 1500-plus classics spread across three halls, there were plenty to ogle over and scribble down on that mental dream garage list of mine! A Top 10 could so easily be a top 20 or 30, or more.
1] Mercedes-Benz 500SL
First set of wheels to wow me yesterday was on a neighbouring dealer stand – R107 specialist Sam Bailey’s SL Shop, to be precise.
Heading his selection of smart SLs was a black 1989 500 that brings a new definition to being ‘out of the box’ as it’s odometer reads just 902 miles. That’s right, less than a 1000. Bailey tells me the owner bought two back in 1989 – this and a Forest Green example – and opted to run one into the ground, literally (he did 245,000miles in it) and put the other one in cotton wool!
Imagine being able to really enjoy your pride and joy knowing you’ve got another as a back up? That’s pretty cool. Not sure if it’s a good investment, though, as I’m guessing it would’ve been £30/40k new and might make £50/60k now tops (Bailey hasn’t decided what to chalk it up for, in fact he isn’t sure how to decide). Pity it's not a left-hooker, though, as Bailey would get three figures at Essen if it was.
2] Standard Vanguard Race Transporter