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Beautiful cars of the Classic Car Show 2007
9 November 2007
Once a year the cream of the UK’s classic cars make a pilgrimage to the Birmingham NEC. Wheels are polished, body’s scrubbed and engines oiled. Andy Goodwin takes a walk through time and dreams of bygone motoring. Hello from the Classic Car Show, home for three days to the most beautiful cars on the planet. As you walk through the entrance your eyes will be drawn to one of the stars of the show - 21 feet from bumper to bumper - it is certainly hard to miss the staggering Bugatti Royale. What a way to start. Everything about this show stopper is huge, including its estimated value of over £6 million and the 11,000 hours this restoration took to build.
Meanwhile, in hall number two there is a different atmosphere. Is that the sound and smell of engines and wheel spin? Indeed it is. For a donation to charity you can be taken on a dream ride in your sports car of choice. There is something for everyone, ranging from classic drop tops to more modern Aston Martins and Lamborghinis. The Sporting Bears car club raised £35,000 last year and hope to do even better this time. It certainly seems like a fun way to give something back, as each car roars out of the arena to its occupants delight.
Edd is not the only one getting his hands greasy, a team from Leeds College of Technology are happy to teach you expert restoration tips in hall three. The cars are the real stars though, and the air is buzzing with conversation about Hot Rods, restoration projects, classic racing cars and gleaming engines as enthusiasts soak up every nuance of the automotive works of art.
The show runs until Sunday at the Birmingham NEC.
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Hall one is a dangerous place to be, what with half the cars being on sale. It is easy to fall in love with a pristine Jag or a mint condition VW Beetle when they look so fantastic and well cared for.
TV’s Mike Brewer and Edd China, of Auto Trader and Wheeler Dealer fame, have their own stage to entertain and engage the crowd in some lively game shows and car talk. There is even a chance to win a car restored by Edd at the end of each day.
It’s a fantastic show, and as far as you can get from the common image of classic car shows being dull and stuffy.
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