NEC Classic Car Show
Discussion
Well it’s that time of year again and a friend and I are going. I’ve been every year (except for the Covid years) since 2011 (and a few random years before that) and still think it’s an enjoyable day that’s good value.
A few beers from late afternoon just adds to the day out.
Who else is looking forward to it.
A few beers from late afternoon just adds to the day out.
Who else is looking forward to it.
I will be there again and always look forward to it as it seems to be a good way to finish the car season ready for winter.
I enjoy seeing all the cars and ferreting round all the autojumble stalls and just the general friendly vibe there is without having the modern cars there which seem to blight the majority of car meets now.
I know many will complain about the costs but everything is expensive these days so you either pay and go or stay home and save your money. I will be travelling in a classic as the weather report is looking rather good.
I enjoy seeing all the cars and ferreting round all the autojumble stalls and just the general friendly vibe there is without having the modern cars there which seem to blight the majority of car meets now.
I know many will complain about the costs but everything is expensive these days so you either pay and go or stay home and save your money. I will be travelling in a classic as the weather report is looking rather good.
Yes, ticket booked as per usual. I started in the late 90s when there used to be shows in April and October (please tell me I am not imagining this) but the April show fell away in quality until it was cancelled.
Last week I went to the Auto Moto d'Epoca in Bologna. Plenty to see but almost all cars were displayed by classic dealers. Very well presented for the most part, but there wasn't the same love for the cars as you find on the owner's club stands.
Over the years, I have been to Techno Classica Essen, Retro Stuttgart, Retromobile Paris, one in Antwerp (I forget the name). All very good, but I still look forward to the NEC show for the surprise finds, usually British cars which makes it all the better. There's also the Sporting Bears for the passenger rides.
We might be living through a peak-classic car era, cherish it while you can.
Last week I went to the Auto Moto d'Epoca in Bologna. Plenty to see but almost all cars were displayed by classic dealers. Very well presented for the most part, but there wasn't the same love for the cars as you find on the owner's club stands.
Over the years, I have been to Techno Classica Essen, Retro Stuttgart, Retromobile Paris, one in Antwerp (I forget the name). All very good, but I still look forward to the NEC show for the surprise finds, usually British cars which makes it all the better. There's also the Sporting Bears for the passenger rides.
We might be living through a peak-classic car era, cherish it while you can.
Lotusgone said:
Last week I went to the Auto Moto d'Epoca in Bologna. Plenty to see but almost all cars were displayed by classic dealers. Very well presented for the most part, but there wasn't the same love for the cars as you find on the owner's club stands.
Over the years, I have been to Techno Classica Essen, Retro Stuttgart,
I went to Bologna last Friday too via stuff in Germany , I drove my newly acquired FIAT X1/9 there , enjoyed the show hugely , as it was stuffed full of obscure old Italian cars amongst the Ferraris n stuff .Over the years, I have been to Techno Classica Essen, Retro Stuttgart,
The Italian X1/9 club went nuts when I told them I had driven all the way ,in a car with the Dallara body panels fitted ,2 of them came out to the car park to take pics of it .
Journey was spoilt when it nearly overheated on the Bologna ring road afterwards .
Have also been to Essen ,Stuttgart and big shows in Brussels and Maastricht too .
Anyone complaining about NEC parking charge ,it was 20 Euros for a day in the Via Michelino multi story next door to the Fiere .
If the Antwerp show you're thinking of is in March-April time it's called the 'Classic Salon Antwerp'. I've been to it half a dozen times and to Technic Classica rather more, maybe 15-20. The latter was (probably still is) by far the best though I haven't been since pre-Covid and it's unlikely I'll go again, age has finally caught up with me.
After the first few years the NEC lost its 'sparkle'. Though I went on and off until about 12 years ago it became more of a chore than a pleasure and any chance of finding bargains in the autojumble vanished after 'NEC tax' was added to prices.
After the first few years the NEC lost its 'sparkle'. Though I went on and off until about 12 years ago it became more of a chore than a pleasure and any chance of finding bargains in the autojumble vanished after 'NEC tax' was added to prices.
4Mille 5Cento said:
Lotusgone said:
Last week I went to the Auto Moto d'Epoca in Bologna. Plenty to see but almost all cars were displayed by classic dealers. Very well presented for the most part, but there wasn't the same love for the cars as you find on the owner's club stands.
Over the years, I have been to Techno Classica Essen, Retro Stuttgart,
I went to Bologna last Friday too via stuff in Germany , I drove my newly acquired FIAT X1/9 there , enjoyed the show hugely , as it was stuffed full of obscure old Italian cars amongst the Ferraris n stuff .Over the years, I have been to Techno Classica Essen, Retro Stuttgart,
I just arrived in the U.K. from the U.S. and the NEC show with a couple of old friends will top off the visit. We’re attending Fri & Sat so a night in a hotel in Birmingham with a few ales and a curry is also in order. I’ve been on and off since the 90’s and have noticed it being a bit more dealer and general garage equipment traders focused. Still a great event and I’m so glad it’s indoors.
Riley Blue said:
If the Antwerp show you're thinking of is in March-April time it's called the 'Classic Salon Antwerp'. I've been to it half a dozen times and to Technic Classica rather more, maybe 15-20.
Yes, that's the one I went to. Not enormous but plenty of interesting stuff. Also, Antwerp station is amazing.I tied that in with a visit to Autoworld in Brussels - that was worth the trip, but across the square from that is a military/aviation museum. There is some stuff in there that is utterly bonkers; those of a certain age may remember from the TV, Dastardly & Muttley in their Flying Machines. There were planes that looked like some of theirs, no idea how they ever flew.
I used to be an avid visitor and spent many occassions there with my then young son, indoctrinating him into cars (it worked!).
But I got fed up of the queues off the motorway to get in and the last straw was the extortionate parking charges and then having to walk for 20 minutes to the venue.
Good times though.
This is the one that got away (nearly bought it for 7k at NEC in 2010). It is a genuine Elite but a restomod done by a firm called Encore who put a chassis on it and a CVH engine (arrrgggh). Plan was to return it to original and see if I could get the original plate back - my only chance to get my dream car, oh well never mind!
But I got fed up of the queues off the motorway to get in and the last straw was the extortionate parking charges and then having to walk for 20 minutes to the venue.
Good times though.
This is the one that got away (nearly bought it for 7k at NEC in 2010). It is a genuine Elite but a restomod done by a firm called Encore who put a chassis on it and a CVH engine (arrrgggh). Plan was to return it to original and see if I could get the original plate back - my only chance to get my dream car, oh well never mind!
Dixy said:
I went online to buy tickets for myself and Dixy's Chic, thinking they were expensive but hey ho, then got hit with a £2.50 booking fee and decided they were taking the mick.
What really annoys me is the daylight robbery for parking, I think I was fleeced for about £14 or £16 last time I went. I often visit the NEC for trade shows, never have to pay then.It's an expensive day out, with ticket, booking fee, parking charges etc. But I still try and go every other year amd enjoy it, but take my own lunch to save a few quid.
I normally have at least one ride in a sporting bears car if there is something of interest as well, which adds to the cost and enjoyment.
I also feel that Friday should open at 9 am rather than 10, as you are paying more for a shorter day.
I normally have at least one ride in a sporting bears car if there is something of interest as well, which adds to the cost and enjoyment.
I also feel that Friday should open at 9 am rather than 10, as you are paying more for a shorter day.
I'll be there on Friday helping on an owners club stand. I've been going for years and still think it's a good day out. I usually manage to have a quick whizz round the rest of the show and there's always something new (well, old of course but new to me) and exciting. As above, I can't post a discount code here but you can find it on the BOC's own socials.
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff