Classic Motor Show embraces ‘youngtimers’

The classic car industry has been one of the few beacons of good news amid the financial doom and gloom of the recession. However, as blue-chip classics have increased in value they have had a similar effect on other classic cars as more people search for cars that they can afford.

So this increased demand has seen newer cars welcomed into the classic fold, and this year’s Classic Motor Show has a first-rate line up of what the Germans call ‘Youngtimers’ and we call retro cars.

Club Peugeot UK will be bringing along a couple of 304s – a coupé and estate – plus a monstrous GpB 205 T16 rally special and its equally famous smaller brother, a 205 GTI. Autobahnstormers will be showing cars which have already practically disappeared from Britain’s roads – a Monza GS/E, Carlton 3000GSI and a mighty Lotus Carlton. The MR2 Drivers’ Club meanwhile, will be celebrating 25 years of Toyota’s mid-engined sports car.

Joining established Seventies fast Fords, such as the great AVO MkI Escort Mexicos, RS1600s and RS2000s on the Ford AVO Owners’ Club stand, at the CMS is a pair of rare Eighties MkI Fiesta XR2s thanks to the Fiesta Club of Great Britain. And sticking with the Eighties and the Blue Oval, the Ford RS Owners’ Club will have an RS500 Cosworth and a GpB RS200, alongside a classic RS3100 Capri.

The first two generations of Granada will also be making an appearance on the Ford Granada MkI and MkII Drivers’ Guild stand, offering a more accessible alternative to executive cars such as the MkII Cortina 1600E – the values of which have increased rapidly in recent years.

Also, in the interest of balance, the MkI Astra Club will be there too, as will the Vauxhall Cavalier-Chevette Club with the world’s oldest known MkI Cavalier and Chevette, an early Cavalier Sportshatch, a minty MkIII Cavalier SRI and a one-off prototype.
And for lovers of British Leyland underdogs, the Morris Marina Owners’ Club is showing a modified Marina pick-up with MG running gear. So let’s hope Top Gear isn’t planning to move anymore pianos around in the vicinity of their stand...

“This era of cars could be at risk of being severely depleted by the Government’s ‘scrappage incentive’,” says Show Manager Andy Rouse. “I think most enthusiasts (and people in general) would far rather see a 30 year old car have some sympathetic modification work done, thereby giving it a whole new lease of life, than see it end up as a four ft square cube ready for the melting pot. The environmental arguments for keeping these cars going (often with new ‘greener’ engines and brakes that actually work!) are pretty sound too, so the more that can be saved from the crusher, the better.

“No doubt the current ‘Anti Fun Committee’ (and the next one), will find other ways to condemn the actual enjoyment of cars and motoring as being inherently evil and perpetrated by an army of Satan’s howling minions, from their evil lairs, known as garages, lock-ups and yes, even sheds… In the meantime, lets see more of those late Sixties to Eighties motors that us ‘30-40-somethings’ grew up with, given another chance. Don’t scrap it, save it!”

All of which is a sure-fire way of making visitors utter that nostalgic phrase: “I can’t remember the last time I saw one of those.”

For the best in retro classic cars, make sure you don’t miss the Classic Motor Show at the NEC between the 13th and 15th November 2009. The show is packed with around 1,400 of Britain’s best classic cars and motorcycles as well as many other live events and attractions, including the Live Stage, Restoration Theatre and hundreds of trade stands selling more parts, spares and motoring paraphernalia than you could imagine.

For more information, the latest show updates and to book tickets, visit necclassicmotorshow.com.