THE 2023 PRACTICAL CLASSICS CLASSIC CAR AND RESTORATION SHOW

There it was, basking in its orange glory on the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership stand – the vehicle of my childhood dreams. This was a 1977 Escort 1300 Sport Mk. II, one of a mere handful of survivors, and a vehicle that belonged in the Ford brochure of that era. In fact, the owner had that very document on the front passenger seat, a reminder of the days when a bad haircut and an Escort with auxiliary driving lamps was the key to social success.

And that 1300 Sport was just one of the so many vehicles at the Practical Classics Classic Car And Restoration Show at the NEC that you were unlikely to encounter anywhere else. There was the red Simca 1000, once one of Europe’s most popular rear-engine cars, and the imposing bulk of an Austin A70 Hereford. There was a green Renault 17TL, the coupe for motorists who thought themselves too sophisticated for a Capri. Not to mention the Standard Eight with its “rain and dust-sealed boot” – i.e. there was no external lid.

Meanwhile, on the Lancaster Insurance Stand was the Austin-Healey Sprite Mk. IV prize, and Stephanie Hoy’s famous Morris Minor 1000 two-door. On this display, I had the pleasure of meeting Katie Bushell, the owner of a magnificent VW Scirocco and the winner of the Bright Young Spark competition. Ms. Bushell is representative of the new generation of classic owners who are essential to the classic car world, in addition to making this writer feel incredibly old.

It was then time to visit the Fiat Motor Club GB to marvel at Ian Mackenzie’s ongoing restoration of a 127 and – incredibly – Panda 4x4. A further rarity to be found in Hall 5 included was the Volvo Heritage Fleet’s 1966 ex-Hampshire Constabulary Amazon Estate – the oldest surviving foreign-built police car in the UK. We look forward to featuring it in a blog next month.

In fact, to say the show had “something for almost everyone” may sound like a terrible cliché, but it is still the case. For devotees of Swedish cars, a Saab display included a 99, an even more unusual 99 EMS and (not so much double-take as triple-take) a 1960-vintage 93B, from the days of two-stroke motoring. Other visitors were attracted by the Triumph TR7 Crayford Estate or the barn find Reliant Scimitar GTE of Danny Hopkins, the editor of Practical Classics.

As for my personal ‘Car of The Show’, one choice might be ‘Montgomery’, the late-model Montego Countryman owned by Tanya Field. An Audi 100 C2 and an Austin J40 further tempted me, but eventually, my award shortlist was narrowed to just two competitors. Another Ford on the Pride Stand occupied second place – the Capri Cabaret Mk. III. This was the perfect Ford for anyone who needed a sunroof, alloy wheels, tinted glass and stripes in their life.

But my grand prize goes to Dave Eadon’s Leyland P76 Targa Florio on the Rover Sports Register stand. Back in 1973, this was the last attempt by BL’s Australian division to compete with locally-built Falcons, Holdens and Valiants, with styling by Micholetti and a choice of a 2.6 litre straight six or a 4.4-litre version of the Rover V8 plant. But, alas, production ended in 1974, and Dave’s P76 is the only example on the road in this country. Best of all, it truly lives up to Leyland’s promise – “Anything But Average”.

With Thanks To: The Leyland P76 Owners’ Club Queensland