Posted on April 15, 2026.
Words: Keith Bluemel
Pictures: Keith Bluemel, Richard Dredge
Practical Classics magazine’s annual Classic Car & Restoration Show, took place at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre between 20-22 March. The show occupied Halls 3A, 4 and 5 of the complex, featuring an eclectic array of machinery through a large number of single marque or model car clubs, many of which were carrying out repair or restoration work on vehicles in their display. There were also dealer displays, an Iconic auction and two feature displays, the first being the always popular ‘Barn Find’ one, with the second being the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership Spring Final.
The examples on display in the ‘Barn Find’ competition, presented by Footman James, were as varied as ever, ranging in size from a Citroen 2CV ‘Dolly’ edition to a 1967 Bentley T Park Ward Convertible. The latter had been on display at last year’s show with accident damage to the left rear corner. This year the damaged rear wing had been removed and inner panels refurbished, awaiting the next stage of its recovery. Another of last year’s barn finds was on display elsewhere in the show, this being a 1960 Aston Martin DB4. It was on display on the Crossley Motorsport stand in bare shell form, having had extensive remedial work carried out in the interim. This is a project involving the team’s engineering students, in their words “The project is more than a restoration; it’s a hands-on education…”, with sponsorship from Aldon Parformance and Thermex.
A real rarity in this section was a 1990 Lea-Francis ‘Ace of Spades’; what, you may ask, is that? The Lea-Francis company started producing cars in 1903 and continued until the mid-fifties, when it ceased trading. The ‘Ace of Spades’ was a 1980s attempt to resurrect the Lea-Francis name, but the retro-style sports car wasn’t a success with a believed only five cars completed. The example on display being an unfinished model, that had remained at the former factory, until being bought at auction by the current owner in 2021. There was a public vote to decide which of the ‘Barn Find’ offerings is the winner, with the choice being a 1987 Ford Fiesta XR2 Mk2, entered by Crossley Motorsport. It wasn’t only in the ‘Barn Find’ competition display where dilapidation could be found, as there was a complete section in the Iconic auction dedicated to ‘project cars’, whilst a number of the club stands also featured examples that could claim the same status.
The Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership Spring Final Display also featured a broad selection of offerings, comprising of 20 cars. These spanned from a ‘Lady Penelope Pink’ Smart Brabus Roadster to a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit, with a very rare Transit 4×4 van along the way, whilst other offerings included a ‘Peaky Blinders’ themed Ford Orion custom and a Mini Clubman Estate Hearse. This display isn’t just about the vehicles and their presentation, but also the stories that are part of their history. As an example, the Mini Clubman Estate Hearse came about, when the owner’s grandfather died at about the time that he and his father were about to start a restoration project on the Clubman Estate. The original intention had been to simply restore it as an estate car, but a conversation with the funeral director about his grandfather’s interests changed the direction of the project. Thus, it was decided to rebuild it as a hearse, as a tribute to the grandfather; fate moves in mysterious ways! The overall winner was a 1983 Ford Escort RS1600i owned by Jason Mould, with a 1981 Opel Manta GTS 3000 taking the runner-up spot and a 1973 Datsun 240Z completing the podium.
Apart from the ‘Barn Find’ and ‘Pride of Ownership’ awards there were numerous others for both individuals and stands as listed below.
- Best Club Display at Show – Small Stand Section: Women Driver’s Social Club
- Best Club Display at Show – Large Stand Section: Oxford Universities Motorsport Foundation
- Best Live Working on Vehicles at Show: Klub Klasyczna Polonia UK
- Best Live Demonstration on a Car Club Stand at Show: Citroen Car Club
- Best Barn Find/Unrestored Car at Show: Richard Biedman’s 1936 Morgan Sports Two-Seater, Morgan Three-Wheeler
- Best Restored Car at Show: Peter Walker’s 1946 Austin 16, Austin Counties Car Club
- Celebrities’ Choice Award – The vehicle that stole their hearts
- Chris Calvert’s 1977 SAAB 96L, SAAB Enthusiasts Club
- Judges’ Special Recognition Awards
- Club of the Year: Morris Minor Owners Club
- Charitable Endeavours: The Triumph Sports Six Club
- Support of the Next Generation: Jowett Car Club
- Event/Run of the Year: The Transit Van Club
- Industry Leader: Tanya Field
- Lifetime Achievement: Alan Moss, Sporting Bears
- Classic Car Weekly Club Hero: Wayne Scott, Jaguar Enthusiasts Club
The Iconic Auctioneers auction provided a vast selection of offerings; these ranged from a Ferrari F1 inspired Go Kart to a range of Rolls Royce models. Within the lots on offer were a quartet of Ferrari models, a 400i, chassis 31483, which was a no-sale, a Mondial 3.2, chassis 78373, which sold for £34,312, a 360 Modena, chassis 117397, which made £39,375, together with a 612 Scaglietti, chassis 139578, achieving £47,250. Amongst their barn find lots was a 1991 Bentley Turbo R, which although dirty, appeared sound and complete, selling for only £2,025, surely worth more than that in spares alone! In the same section there was a Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, ex-Brunei Royal Family, where it had been repainted silver, which was in need of extensive restoration work, but made a strong £42,750. Fast Fords were very popular, with a 1974 Escort Mexico selling for £43,875, and a RS2000 example from the same year achieving £53,312. In fact, the top two sales of the show were also fast Fords, a 1988 Sierra RS500 Cosworth made £76,500, whilst the top sale went to a 2018 Focus Mk3 RS Heritage, boasting only 71 miles on the clock, which sold for £82,125. All figures quoted include buyer’s premium.
Apart from all the club stands and feature displays there was also a large vendor area offering a broad range of accessories, tools, books, brochures, scale models and a wide variety of automobilia. The show also featured ‘Dream Rides’ from the Sporting Bears Motor Club, where visitors could buy a ride in a variety of cars, raising money for charity through the duration of the show.
More photos from the show are available on Flickr.
