Rarities gather for restoration show
Rare cars that have been restored by classic enthusiasts will gather at the NEC’s Restoration & Classic Car Show, held in Birmingham on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March.
Over 20 cars will feature in the Pride of Ownership display including Luke Greenwood’s 1968 Ford Mustang, which is one of just two surviving ‘Rainbow of Colours’ from the 133 originally made. Rainbow of Colour Mustangs were part of a western US promotion, with 13 special colours available for the 1968 model year as part of the promotion.
‘I bought it in December 2012, and had it shipped over in January 2013,’ Luke explained. ‘Mine was dandelion yellow under the maroon paint I bought it with. I wasn’t aware of the history when I got it – it’s just luck I suppose! The original engine was rebuilt as part of the bare shell restoration, and a new interior and new dashboard have been fitted. It took me twenty months, but when I finished it in August 2014 it looked as beautiful as new. If anything it’s better than the day it left the factory.’
Another car becoming rarer these days in the Humber Sceptre, and you won’t find many in the condition of Mark Fishpool’s 1963 example. Mark originally tracked this car down for a friend who was trying to find a classic, only for it to be turned down.
‘When I collected it, suddenly he was interested – but it was too late,’ Mark added. ‘It had been the 1964 Earls Court Motor Show car, before being sold to a lady in Portsmouth who had seen it at the show. She kept it until she gave up driving, and sold the car to a local man who owned it for 20 years. I found the car near Cardiff. She’s a keeper now, even though I only bought her in February. She’s in glorious condition too – unusually for me, I haven’t found any jobs to do!’
The rest of the Pride of Ownership line-up is a mix of American classics such as Richard Jackson’s Chevy Chevelle and Plymouth Belvedere, some fast Fords such as Stuart Fitton’s Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth and Simon Welch’s Fiesta XR2, as well as two more traditional blue oval classics in the shape of Peter Compton’s ’72 Cortina Mk3, Martin Jones’ Cortina Mk1 GT, and Mike Chapman’s Zodiac Mk1 to name a few.
The NEC’s Restoration & Classic Car Show has doubled in size including new features, the Live Stage, expert advice, live demonstrations, extensive trader village including the UK’s spring’s largest indoor Autojumble, leading dealers, specialist restorers and Silverstone Auction’s project and classic car sale.
