NEC show 13-15 Nov

[dollywobbler]

OMG! Richard K. I'm such a twat. I was wondering who on earth the 'rock star' was. I apologise for being a moron. I was very, very tired. And then Jon Bentley showed up and I was trying desperately not to get chocolate doughnut in my beard...

 

But good to meet Autoshiters, lurkers and otherwise. I've had a really enjoyable weekend and there's still a day to go.

[andrew e]

NEC? Meh. It was on the bucket list. It's done now. I enjoyed the Borgwards and seeing the Jota Muira, but those aside it was like a huge re-run of every provincial car show I've ever been too, except for more oafs on Facebook in folding chairs at the back of the club stands. I wanted surprise, yet struggled to find it. Maybe it's me

[For Fiats Sake]

I think I say mr DW fly by the Fait Motor chod stand (STAND? I was sat on my arse most of the day even managed a small nap) yesterday.

 

I did see Honest John on Friday but no sign of his Mrs/camera woman.

 

Can hear Brewer/China combo 3 times a day as stand is 1 away from the back of their stage. Liked seeing Sir Moss though I don't care for his cack alarms.

 

Haven't managed to stalk Mr Lobster yet as haven't found his stand.

 

Was Bloody busy today though, more skulking tomorrow!

[Mr Lobster]

Haven't managed to stalk Mr Lobster yet as haven't found his stand.

Was Bloody busy today though, more skulking tomorrow!

Hall 3, stand TV100.

 

If you are in Hall 5 come up the stairs as though you are going towards the trade village and auto jumble and just keep going straight. When you get under the big sign that says Classic Trader Village you'll be pretty much here.

 

You want to come - we've got loads of Fiats

[dollywobbler]

NEC? Meh. It was on the bucket list. It's done now. I enjoyed the Borgwards and seeing the Jota Muira, but those aside it was like a huge re-run of every provincial car show I've ever been too, except for more oafs on Facebook in folding chairs at the back of the club stands. I wanted surprise, yet struggled to find it. Maybe it's me

It's the people who make it for me. I've spent most of today having a great time on the 2CVGB stand, chatting with enthusiasts, previous owners and just outright jokers. Brilliant. There are some really nice cars around too. The ones with least value generally interest me.

[Sloth in a bowl]

Load of pictures at https://www.flickr.com/photos/113220255@N05/albums/72157661215206255, sorry about the non-car stuff at beginning and end of the album.

 

includes....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...and much, much, more

[andrew e]

Yeah but you were chatting because you knew them already!

 

The American guys in the pavilion were really welcoming, and the Model T register just across the way from the CCC stand were great fun - explaining how to drive a T (famous for its odd pedal set up by accepted standards).

[dollywobbler]

Not true. I've met and spoken to a shit load of people I've never met before in my life. Others I've only ever spoken to in the NEC every year.

[RobT]

^^Same here. Even in the hotel I was staying I struck up a conversation with two old boys who were going, Rover nuts the pair of them. I also met the couple I bought that giffer gold Volvo 440 off, they were showing their P4 at the show so I had to lie and say it went to a good home (well it did initially, as JohnK bought it but no idea where it is now). They seemed happy enough so that's the main thing!

[dollywobbler]

Being on a stand is just brilliant as that tends to encourage conversation. Perhaps we need a more acceptable public name and we could have a go at having a stand one year. I organised the BX club stand a few years back.

[trigger]

I'm now at home after LONG day at the show, another amazing day although it was very busy and tiring.

 

I watched 3 blokes buy a bacon sandwich and a coffee each which cost them £20 which I thought was disgusting, good to meet Retrogeezer and Mr Lobster again and I saw a few others but never got chance to speak for them (sorry I missed you too Ian) and we had to pay £12 this year to leave due to the new barriers which was a bastard.

 

I was really pleased to meet Pete who owns Swampy the Mk3 Cortina and Maisie the 2 door GXL, he knows me from the forum and my Flickr so had me sitting inside them and videoing me for his YouTube channel which was embarrassing!

 

 

 

 

There was some really amazing cars there too.

 

 

This had done 5000 miles from after being left in a council lock up for 30 years.

 

 

 

 

This Autoshite favorite was amazing, lovely bunch of lads who done the restro too.

 

 

Stag estate with flared rear arches!

 

 

 

 

This had done 2000 miles from new!

 

 

 

This Crown Coupe was probably one of my show favourites. It was a really pretty car.

[HMC]

Im sorry I missed this (again) looks the perfect antidote to the dingy drizzle we've had on Dartmoor the last few weeks!

[Angrydicky]

This displaying lark is hard work! I've seen Captain Slow and Dollywobbler so far. Warninglight is on the stand with me.

[AlabamaShrimp]

I went last year and missed half of it as it's such a sodding big place. Said I wouldn't go this year as it might be all the same stuff but from the looks of it it wasn't.

 

Would definitely be up for an autoshite stand next year though. Looking forward to all those admiring comments on the Fiesta's red oxide over pogweasel paint scheme.

[dollywobbler]

Thanks Trigger. Despite being there for two days so far, I've still not seen the Princess or Japanese classics. Heading back there now to find them!

[Angrydicky]

The Wedge is next to the autojumble in hall four, sort of between the live restoration techniques workshop and the Maestro and Montego stand along the side wall. Friday is definitely the day to go, it was a right pain in the arse to get around the place yesterday due to the crowds.

[inconsistant]

Being on a stand is just brilliant as that tends to encourage conversation.

^^^ this. I've been a grumpy bugger all weekend because I've missed the show. Being on the stand last year was great because you're actually talking to actual people with the car in front if you, and that creates different and better conversations than you get down the pub or as a result of watching top gear or whatever where car fans rely on the usual bullshit myths, polarising exaggeration and misunderstandings. Pretty much any cars at the NEC show is going to be interesting, and I reckon that a lot of the visitors who get their car knowledge from the usual places would find lots of cars they don't know much about beyond TG opinions.

 

Maybe it's because the 924 has been overlooked in favour of the 944 for so long, but I found people genuinely enthusiastic, interested and wanting to find out more.

Of course you still hear muttering about Allegros being more aerodynamic going backwards etc, but that's because its true, apparently.

[scruff]

We had a really good day Friday. I immersed myself in Austin Sevens and got some GR8 info from the various club folk. 

Loved the straight-out-of-service tatty and muddy Minerva on the Land Rover Heritage stand getting more attention than the replica restored OTT better than new '48 Series 1 nearby.

[Pillock]

Apparently, we're here today....

[carlo]

Must admit I found the show a bit of a struggle this time, but's that's probably down to circumstances.  The train up from Devon was jam packed, standing only (due to Cheltenham races I believe), so was a bit frazzled when I got there.  Plus I only had a few hours which is never enough here.  Coupled with the huge crowd and poor light, which made photography even more difficult than usual, tended to temper the enthusiasm somewhat.

 

That said, there's always loads of interest there.  I tend to like reading the stories on the cars, like the white Allegro Estate which the chap bought new, exported to Ceylon and then drove it back overland because he couldn't get clearance to import it back.  Or the very early hybrid Wolseley Princess which had been through a few factory incarnations.  The prototype TVR Tina was great, loved the beautifully restored Renault 12, nice to see a Peugeot 204 Cabriolet I haven't seen before, and the orange Chrysler Alpine was stunning.  How did he get those bumbers so white?  

 

Oh, and yes the Lancaster stand was good wasn't it Alfamale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[barrett]

NEC? Meh. It was on the bucket list. It's done now. I enjoyed the Borgwards and seeing the Jota Muira, but those aside it was like a huge re-run of every provincial car show I've ever been too, except for more oafs on Facebook in folding chairs at the back of the club stands. I wanted surprise, yet struggled to find it. Maybe it's me

I'm glad somebody said it. It may have been the worst car event I've ever been to, made much worse by the distance. If I'd been paying my own way I would be bloody furious.

 

There were a couple of interesting cars. And I do mean a couple, but if this is the best the UK can do its pretty embarrassing really.

 

Was (almost) worth it to laugh at the horrid Ami 6 break that is for sale at a ludicrous price and advertised as the 'best in the country'.

[Pillock]

I'm quite enjoying it.... I'm sat by the food hall at the end of the Cars For Sale bit which is clearly aimed at not-Autoshite, they've got a load of quite average very polished cars for £lots. P38 Range Rover has SOLD for £24k.

 

But there's enough variety to keep me interested, probably helps I don't get to many car shows so I'm not just seeing the same cars as I did in a field in August.

 

The admission price is a bit steep though.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I'm quite enjoying it.... I'm sat by the food hall at the end of the Cars For Sale bit which is clearly aimed at not-Autoshite, they've got a load of quite average very polished cars for £lots. P38 Range Rover has SOLD for £24k.

But there's enough variety to keep me interested, probably helps I don't get to many car shows so I'm not just seeing the same cars as I did in a field in August.

The admission price is a bit steep though.

I think this sums it up for me, why would I pay to walk round a cramped hot warehouse to see half the number of cars that I can see for free at ,say, Harpenden ?

Much more pleasant to wander round a field with a reasonably priced pint in my hand then get some fish and chips from a normally priced chip shop and watch the cars driving home .

There are so many opportunities to see old cars , either for free or just a couple of quid throughout the summer , i really don't see how something as old fashioned as thi s can survive much longer.

Goodwood, Silverstone Classic even Carfest all offer something other than an MGB on a stand for not much more money from the sound of it. I'd never dream of trying to convince Mrs N or the offspring to go to the NEC, whereas The Festival of the Unexceptional or Classic night at The Ace is something the whole family will enjoy* ( tolerate).

[Guest Lord Sward]

I did all day at the NEC yesterday.  It was class.  There was even a FIAT 126 BIS in the car park before hand.

[Justin Case]

I think this sums it up for me, why would I pay to walk round a cramped hot warehouse to see half the number of cars that I can see for free at ,say, Harpenden ?

Much more pleasant to wander round a field with a reasonably priced pint in my hand then get some fish and chips from a normally priced chip shop and watch the cars driving home .

There are so many opportunities to see old cars , either for free or just a couple of quid throughout the summer , i really don't see how something as old fashioned as thi s can survive much longer.

Goodwood, Silverstone Classic even Carfest all offer something other than an MGB on a stand for not much more money from the sound of it. I'd never dream of trying to convince Mrs N or the offspring to go to the NEC, whereas The Festival of the Unexceptional or Classic night at The Ace is something the whole family will enjoy* ( tolerate).

Exactly what I think, too. I didn't go even though I'm just a couple of minutes from the local station and the fare is only a fiver return. I prefer to be where something is going on, especially when old cars are being used in anger; Vintage Shelsley is my favourite, you can really get close to the action in a way that I've never found any where else. And don't forget steam fairs, as well as the traction engines there is always a good turnout of old cars. A lot of AS favourites would often be excluded as they are too new (1973 seems to be a common cut-off date, although over 25 years sems to be coming more common,) but more than compensated for me at the Bromyard Gala by the owner of a Chain Gang Frazer Nash starting it up and showing me and my mate how the gearbox worked

Good point about the family, Mitcar for example is usually held in the grounds of a stately home, so something for all the family at this type of event.

[purplebargeken]

I have never, ever gone. Perhaps next year (maybe). I had a couple of mates on the Triumph Dolomite stand displaying  slightly modded 1300FWD's. 

[dollywobbler]

Bit quiet today, until lunchtime at least. Must have missed you Barrett. Presume you're on about the green Ami? Same chap who sold that two-tone Ami owned by Jonny69...

 

I still love it though. Especially as I got on the shuttle bus and the driver recognised me and said I should do a video on his Dacia Sandero! Everyone must have wondered what on earth we were on about.

 

This is the hometime signal on the final day. https://twitter.com/dollywobbler/status/665945464102100992

 

My Twitter feed (@dollywobbler) has a terrifying number of pics on it, but here are today's highlights.

 

 

Purple P6

 

VANNING

 

Volvos

 

Marcos Mantis!

 

6-wheel Frisky that took part in the Monte Carlo rally. Was brought to the show by John Meadows, of the family who originally built the cars (and Meadows engines).

 

And my mate's Dyane. This got a LOT of attention, despite being horribly VW scenester. I think I even quite like it... It's certainly beautifully engineered.

[Pillock]

I sounded quite negative in my last post, I did enjoy today but I can see exactly who their target market is - there were lots of expensive tools, lots of expensive marque owners clubs and lots of stands where they'd spent a lot on matching shirts and professionally printed info boards.

But, you know what - it was nicely balanced by the unexceptional, the every day and the new classics. Everywhere I went there was something I'd forgotten about, or hadn't seen for years, but then I'm the sort of person who gets excited by a nice mint Mk3 Cavalier or a Fiesta RS Turbo. There was enough of the right era for me to keep me happy, and the other stuff was accessible enough to have a quick look over. Apart from the pre-war stuff, I not a fan of things with sticky-outy wheels and windy handles on the front..... 

 

I might not rush to go to next years, I have a feeling I'd see much of the stuff again. But as it was my first time, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

My purchases of the day were four brochures from the pound-a-prochure man. Two Austin Rover range brochures from 1986 and 1993, a Mondeo launch brochure (or early life, they're all blacktop bumpers and miserable spec) and an Mk2 Astra brochure again from early in the life, "The New Astra" all the way through and proper thrifty specs. I had loads in my hand but put some back, there were some genuine bargains though.

 

Nice to meet MisterLobster and MisterWobbler (again), hope you're allowed to leave the show soon! 

 

For future trips, I recommend parking in the nearby station - it was £6 for the day Sat/Sun, I'd originally though about parking at a nearby station and going in on the train but it was £4.20 each return for two of us so parking at the destination station was cheaper, and half the price of the NEC robbing gits. I'd also take your own snap, sausage sarnie on site was a fiver and coffee was £3.50 or something. Thankfully they've not gone down the route of inspecting people for illicit grub though. Either that, or food on the station is slightly cheaper anyway.

[fordperv]

I must say I didn't buy anything from the trade area for myself, I did get some trim for a mate as he couldn't go, but that was so it didn't get damaged in the post if he ordered it online

[dollywobbler]

The other thing to remember - all this talk of "prefer events at tracks" or "I can see that in a field." If you want to do either of those things in November, be my guest! In November, when it's blowing a gale and pishing down, being inside a big, warm hall seemed a far better plan.

 

For sure, when the weather is nicer, I'd rather be at an event where things happen. For instance, I'm not sure I'd want to do Chomongley again, but I'm already looking forward to La Vie en Bleu again. Hillclimbs area great, especially if they break up the racing with parades of normal stuff.