NEC Classic & Restoration Show
We did not attend as media.
Getting there.
Being at the NEC in Birmingham, access is very good for us and once inside the internal road network, finding your way to the correct parking is well sign-posted and directed by staff.
The parking for this event was a good 10-minute walk from the carpark, but free regular buses were laid on. We actually jumped in an express taxi which cost £1 each and arrived a few minutes later, right outside the main entrance.
The show entrance, tickets and shops are all together and entrance took no time at all.
Value
Not bad and better if you book in advance. It can be reasonable for such a large show and the programme is also free. Parking however, is £12, so car share to have a cheap day out.
Getting there.
Being at the NEC in Birmingham, access is very good for us and once inside the internal road network, finding your way to the correct parking is well sign-posted and directed by staff.
The parking for this event was a good 10-minute walk from the carpark, but free regular buses were laid on. We actually jumped in an express taxi which cost £1 each and arrived a few minutes later, right outside the main entrance.
The show entrance, tickets and shops are all together and entrance took no time at all.
Value
Not bad and better if you book in advance. It can be reasonable for such a large show and the programme is also free. Parking however, is £12, so car share to have a cheap day out.
General review
The show was impressive and the lighting was good enough for photography so that was not an issue.
The main hall was full of car club stands with lots of project cars on show and lots of people actually working on cars. Everyone is enthusiastic and all had time to chat. You can spend quite some time chatting and there is a lot to see, so keep an eye on the time.
There is a massive variety cars at this show - some that might not impress everyone, due to being a run-of-the-mill 70s or 80s car like a Metro or Austin 1100. Something you or your dad scrapped 20 years ago, but to the owner, it’s either love or dedication that keeps these projects going.
The show was impressive and the lighting was good enough for photography so that was not an issue.
The main hall was full of car club stands with lots of project cars on show and lots of people actually working on cars. Everyone is enthusiastic and all had time to chat. You can spend quite some time chatting and there is a lot to see, so keep an eye on the time.
There is a massive variety cars at this show - some that might not impress everyone, due to being a run-of-the-mill 70s or 80s car like a Metro or Austin 1100. Something you or your dad scrapped 20 years ago, but to the owner, it’s either love or dedication that keeps these projects going.
Some of the cars are the more interesting versions of normal cars like a Metro Turbo or Metro Cooper. A convertible you never knew they made.
On other stands, there are the cars you always wanted, like Lotus or Allard or Porsche etc. Unlike the London Classic, this show is not full of million pound Ferraris or Aston Martins, but the more affordable, every-day man’s restoration project.
On other stands, there are the cars you always wanted, like Lotus or Allard or Porsche etc. Unlike the London Classic, this show is not full of million pound Ferraris or Aston Martins, but the more affordable, every-day man’s restoration project.
At the back of the hall is the live stage where people like Brewer are interviewed. Next to this is the ‘book a ride’ area all the cars you can have a ride in are lined up on show for you to see. There was an excellent selection of cars to choose from and you couldn’t help find one you always wanted a go in.
In the second hall are all the food outlets and they presented a good selection. In this hall you could also find all the market stalls and the auto-jumble. Remember, if you are looking to buy something heavy, bring wheels, it’s a long way back to the car.
A large area is set out for ‘barn finds’ and they had quite a good selection on show. They had a live band playing there and they were good entertainment. That’s also an area you could find a little space to sit.
The next hall is full of cars on show from lots of dealers, with some very nice examples of their restored stock for sale. This is where you find the Aston Martins, Jaguars and Mercedes. The Auction area was also there, and they really had some wonderful cars for sale - some at good book estimates.
A large area is set out for ‘barn finds’ and they had quite a good selection on show. They had a live band playing there and they were good entertainment. That’s also an area you could find a little space to sit.
The next hall is full of cars on show from lots of dealers, with some very nice examples of their restored stock for sale. This is where you find the Aston Martins, Jaguars and Mercedes. The Auction area was also there, and they really had some wonderful cars for sale - some at good book estimates.
Food and drink.
We took sandwiches, so can’t comment on food quality or prices, but the NEC is not short of somewhere to eat. Hall 1 has food at the sides supplied by the NEC. Hall 2 is where you will find the food stalls selling things like fish and chips and pasties etc. It all looked very good and it was busy.
We found very little space set aside for general resting or to eat your own food, and we ended picnicking on the floor.
We took sandwiches, so can’t comment on food quality or prices, but the NEC is not short of somewhere to eat. Hall 1 has food at the sides supplied by the NEC. Hall 2 is where you will find the food stalls selling things like fish and chips and pasties etc. It all looked very good and it was busy.
We found very little space set aside for general resting or to eat your own food, and we ended picnicking on the floor.
Conclusion
This show is what is says - a restoration show about classic cars. It is not a show to see shiny investment type cars you plan on hiding away for a retirement pot. (Read about the London Classic here) It’s a show about getting an old car that either you have owned for years, found in a barn and you know will be worth something if you can restore it back to good condition.
This show is for men to play with tools in their garage. We did see a few females, but this show is definitely geared towards men.
With everyone being a complete car nut, they were all lovely and had loads of time to chat. People visiting the show were also very respectful when it came to me taking photos.
This show is what is says - a restoration show about classic cars. It is not a show to see shiny investment type cars you plan on hiding away for a retirement pot. (Read about the London Classic here) It’s a show about getting an old car that either you have owned for years, found in a barn and you know will be worth something if you can restore it back to good condition.
This show is for men to play with tools in their garage. We did see a few females, but this show is definitely geared towards men.
With everyone being a complete car nut, they were all lovely and had loads of time to chat. People visiting the show were also very respectful when it came to me taking photos.