Hamilton Classic feature on live stage at NEC Classic Motor Show 2018
Just when you thought the climax of the annual classic car show season couldn’t get any bigger or busier, it does! Over 71,000 attendees headed for Birmingham’s NEC over the weekend of the 9 – 11th November 2018 for the world’s biggest gathering of classic motoring clubs, to celebrate the many landmarks within this year’s NEC Classic Motor Show.
This year. Hamilton Classic were part of the live stage show, as suppliers of the carpet set for the rebuild that took place during the course of the weekend. The challenge laid down by the team behind Practical Classics Magazine was to rebuild a rare Riley RMA from scratch during the course of the weekend , with a view to having the car roll off the live stage to close the event. Hamilton Classics supplied the carpet set for the Riley RMA from our luxury wool range and the set was made bespoke for the magazine team to a colour and template of their choice. Alastair Flack delivered the UK made carpet set to the live stage on Friday morning and after a brief interview with Danny Hopkins, Editor of Practical Classics, the team got to work!
On Sunday evening, the Riley was completed - kind of. It didn't exactly roll off under its own steam, but it wasn't far off and was as near to being a finished restoration as possible. Very impressive.
Away from the stage and limelight, it was a chance to meet customers of Hamilton Classic old and new to ensure that you have the correct car covers and advice to ensure your classic car is correctly protected for the forthcoming winter months.
Acting Show Director Lee Masters said:
“This was a landmark year for the show in so many ways; The biggest in size, the most ever cars, and reaching 300 clubs to make it the World’s biggest gathering of classic motoring clubs. But also, as it took place on Armistice Day and it was an honour to see so many clubs pay tribute.”
Lee continued;
“There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as the two-minute silence was broken by the sound of a Highland piper on the Discovery Live Stage. Thanks to everyone who came and supported the show. Now to start planning how to celebrate next year’s 35th anniversary of the show!”
Built to last
This year’s show theme was ‘Built to Last’ and as expected, the clubs and displays interpreted this in so many different ways and for one of our partner clubs, the TR Register, it was a selection of un-restored “Triumph Survivors” representing cars that were still in regular use, but still totally unrestored – and just as they were when they left the factory.
Elsewhere in the show.
Practical Classics Magazine featured editor Danny Hopkins’ new acquisition, a low mileage TR7 that he had been so busy cleaning the engine bay on it was displayed without a bonnet! The car sat next to the restoration TR6 of Matt George work on which has been well documented in recent issues.
Sporting Bears’ Dream Rides raised £31,600 offering around 1,000 rides in exchange for a donation to children’s charities which included Silverstone Auctions saw £4million including buyer’s premium with 61% of the lots were sold at the weekend which will increase with post show sales. Frank Sinatra's 1984 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible which was gifted to him by fellow Rat Pack members, Sammy Davis Jr and Dean Martin, sold for £140,625, while Steve McQueen’s 1945 Willys Jeep sold for £84,375. The biggest seller of the sale was the 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Automatic Sports Saloon at £214,313.
As for next year? Well get it in your diaries as The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, will be held from 8-10 November 2019.
