The end of 2014 car-show season sees one of THE biggest classic motor shows in all of Europe. Thousands descended on the NEC in Birmingham last week and rightly so, with some stunning displays from various companies within the classic car industry.
Myself and one of Motor-Vision’s resident photographers, Darren, took the trip up and across to Birmingham, albeit on different days. I decided to go on the Friday, thinking it will be a bit quieter and can have a good look around – oh how wrong I was – it was buzzing with people from all ages and from across all industries.
Darren on the other hand decided to visit on the weekend experiencing the full wave of the industry and the public taking the trip. How he managed to capture these amazing images still baffles me as I struggled to get a few shots without someone ruining the frame!
Recently a Morris Minor Van, baring the chassis #685 was found in a barn in Suffolk. There is very little history on this rare van but what we can tell you is that the Minor LCV Register has confirmed it is authentically the oldest in the UK and Europe, and it holds second oldest in the world. Only one other has been found, which is older, bearing the chassis number #635 in Canada.
The van was registered in Essex and supplied to Eastern Garages Limited in Chelmsford, not too far from the Motor-Vision HQ! It was assembled around the 22nd of June 1953 and then sent to the dealers on the 1st of July 1953 – assembly time of around 1 week!
The genuine Porsche 917, driven by Steve McQueen also made an appearance on the Classic & Sports Car (magazine) stand. It made the trip from the Spa Museum in Stavelot, Belgium to the NEC in Birmingham.
The 917 has a long list of famous winnings from the Daytona 24 Hours to the Monza 1000km and has had many incredible drivers behind the wheel such as Derek Bell and Richard Attwood.
The event definitely had the glitz and Saturday saw the glamour as Harriadnie Beau unveiled a truly unique but utterly visually satisfying piece of automotive craftsmanship.
The blonde beauty has been an ambassador for many names across the globe, which has featured in the famous magazine, Vogue and has also been a presenter at the BAFTA awards.
She revealed on Saturday the uplifted Jensen FF which has been re-engineered by Bavarez sporting a 6.3L V8, which has been stroked to 7.0L and for even more power has had a 2.5L Supercharger added for good measure!
Miss Beau, we feel, completed the look of the car and she looked as classy as ever!
Pilkington Classics, the specialist glass company, had their rare 1924 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Boat Tail on display. The car is celebrating its 90th Birthday along with its 50th Anniversary at Pilkington.
The car underwent a full restoration in 1964 until 1967 and to this day still remains in pristine condition.
Some more famous cars also graced the halls of the NEC such as the DeLorean from the famous 80’s film “Back to the Future” and also the “Ghost Busters” Hearse!
Stay tuned for more over the next few days!
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