NEC Restoration Show 2023 - March 24th - 26th 2023

Day one sees the engine & box out of the Javelin 



With a new clutch fitted, ignition components replaced, new engine & gearbox mountings fitted 

 
Carburettors rebuilt 



The 1927 Long Four Tourer recommissioning works underway 



Rebuilt distributor fitted, carburettor removed & cleaned along with the engine timing set 



Whilst I advanced repairs to the door skins on the Bradford Utility 


 
No chance of me getting around the show yet - I'm going to have do that on a hall by hall basis over the next 2 days 



But good progress on the stand with lots of interest / contacts being made 
 

Just some pics of the other cars in the show that I manged to snap in the few mins that I have had to take them 



Well over 200 lots in the auction spread over Sat & Sun 



Alfa Romeo Alffeta Saloon - Find another ! 



Austin 3 Litre Ambulance body conversion - Again find another 



More pics from the barn find stand 



Jag Mk IV project anyone ?





Hall 5 before the public invade it 






More to come when I get the opportunity 

Day 2 



Sees the engine & box back in the car after its clutch change 



And the car in the air for the brakes to be rebuilt 



Which the team crack on with 



Meanwhile the bottom of the door skin for the offside rear door gets completed 

Not a criticism of you Chris,but quite frankly, I would say the Jowett car club is pulling your pants down…Surely somebody else has a car trailer and knows how to drive? All keen to rock up on the stand and win, but unwilling to help with the logistics. I would take a step back for a couple of shows and see if they maintain their winning streak, I think not 🙁

Having attended briefly over Sat and Sun, a few pics from me, albeit most from yesterday morning when it was nice and quiet and I could run around without getting too distracted catching up with folk

As Chris has already mentioned, it's a 'live working' show, and it's actively encouraged, so everywhere you look there is work being undertaken


Spot the world's largest torque wrench!



A few familiar cars that have appeared on the pages of this forum were also in attendance, one of which was the 'Booze Bus' Scimitar, a very well put together bit of kit.



Many take the time to rest their feet and listen to the various experts and 'folk off the telly' at the Practical Classics Live stage


There were also some of the celeb cars present


They were also restoring a Scimitar over the weekend which didn't go without drama, some last minute pleas on the club forums for parts were spotted and answered, got to love the community spirit such endeavours bring out.

Some project cars came straight from the paintshop to the show, including this SD1 that had been keeping the VW project company over in Shropshire


Other projects were at the other end of the scale, such as this recently imported Celica from a reasonably local contact of mine


The juxtaposition and variety across the stands is always interesting therefore; 911, Escort or Metro anyone?


Other stands just show a variety of models



Or start work way before the show even opens


Some for fer4l and grumpynorthener  




Some stands were celebrating anniversaries


Some just had a breadth of models




for those who like the shinier displays, then the pride of ownership is worth a look



as well as some of the modern-luxury marques


Other stands combined both together


or just the art of what is possible





There is always something different around the corner too















For those who prefer to learn about being hands on with metal working, then the workshop stage is worth stopping by for lead loading techniques, metal shaping etc., they were also working on Matt Tomkins' Austin 7 speedster all weekend


Lastly there is also the autojumble section, I was quite well behaved but did pick up a few little bits while I was there


A thoroughly enjoyable show, felt a bit quieter to me than previous years but that may have been the times I was there. Either way it's a great excuse for folk to get together, put their cars on a stand and all members and experts pile in to help...

I have a cunning plan forming, BRM stand next year anyone? We could at least muster together a 304 Cab, Celica or MG and perhaps even a A35 van as projects and give some competition to those Jowett boys

I managed the odd pic here & there but really didn't find any quality time to see the show - way too busy for that !



The Javelin Deluxe that I recently recovered went on to the 'Barn Finds' stand 



Alongside a MG Magnette which is some coincidence because both cars came from the same designer 'Gerald Palmer' 



I didn't even have to advertise that it was on the market - it was sold virtually as it came off the trailer at the show 



Meanwhile further progress was made on the rear door skin of the Bradford 



Whilst Trevor who owns the van cracked on and got the rear quarter panels fitted along with the rear cross member panel and the spare wheel door 



The National Car Club Awards are judged & presented at the show so at 16:00 hours on Saturday we wondered over to the stage - The awards are presented by Mike Brewer 



Now over the years we have earnt a reputation for setting standards at the show and have been rewarded for our efforts with the odd trophy or two - we have also before today been left empty handed when the judging panel has spread the field and given other clubs the opportunity to win - To which I have no objections - I thought that this year could possibly be our year off but was proved wrong when we were awarded ' Best Live Working' However, I was then completely caught off guard 



When we were recalled to the stage and collected 'Club of the Year' in recognition of the efforts made to achieve our centennial year - Somewhat overwhelmed but none of it would achievable without the team behind me which very much includes the lovely Mrs GN - Its not all or always about winning - But it certainly helps when you are competing against larger clubs that have access to much greater resources   





 

Well done Chris and everyone else involved!

More progress on the Javelin was made 



Along with more progress on the rear doors of the Bradford 



Whilst others in the team deserved a tea break 



Rob & John had worked through several issues with the 1927 Long 4 Tourer and on Sunday afternoon had the engine running 



A great result in the respect that engine had been stood for over 3 decades - Its down on compression on the nearside and therefore will have to come out - I'll be sending it to a very well respected vintage engine builder who is a fellow club member for sorting



Before we knew it the show drew to a close at 17:00 hours on Sunday - 3 hours packing up - some members having to leave to catch their trains and others that had a much longer journey than myself to travel had to leave - the rest of the team stayed on until we were all loaded 



And out of the show 



With myself & Richard both returning on Monday morning with trailers to remove the last 2 vehicle exhibits 
 

well done all!