The five finalists for the 2012 Classic Car of the Year award at the upcoming Classic Motor Show at Birmingham's NEC have been announced.
It is to take place from November 16th to 18th and the event will be a showcase of classic vehicles from across the ages.
Three models up for this year's award date from the 1930s, while one hails from the 1960s and the final competitor was first built in the 1970s.
A 1931 Austin Seven named 'Crusty' is the oldest vehicle in the mix for this year's prize, with its Buckinghamshire-based owner Chris Parkhurst having used the model to travel across the Andes and much of South America.
The next contender is a 1934 Jowett Long Saloon owned by Alan Bartlett of Somerset. It has been partly restored and was originally owned by his grandfather, having been in Mr Bartlett's family since 1935. Over the years the vehicle has had its fair share of journeys, racking up in excess of 400,000 miles on its clock.
Third of the 1930s trio of entrants is Martin Redmond's 1938 Morris 25 Series III. The vehicle is nicknamed 'Stanley' and was purchased in 2009. Since then, Mr Redmond has used the vehicle to embark on a mammoth eight-week adventure across Europe and Asia this year from the UK to Vladivostock.
A 1965 Aston Martin DB5 bought by Keith Clements from Essex is the forth vehicle in the list and is an exact replica of the Goldfinger car used in the iconic eponymous 1960s 007 movie.
Finally, Cambridge's Richard Phillips will be hoping for the top award with his 1972 Bristol 411. The model was purchased as a present for his 50th birthday and has been fully restored to its heyday, helping Mr Phillips achieve a lifelong goal of driving through Europe to Amsterdam as part of his half-century celebrations.
Organised by Classic Car Weekly, Classic Cars and Practical Classics magazines, the eventual winner will be announced at the show based on the votes of the public, with its owner picking up a cash prize of £3,500.
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Posted by Michael Yates
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