[SammyJx]

Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show

Friday 21 - Sunday 23 March 2025

NEC Birmingham

We are on the look out for 2 cars requiring restoration that we can work on during the event. It will help us a lot if they are driveable and any work that is done during the show doesn't change that. If you think you can help provide a car that meets this criteria then please reply to this thread.

The stand will have 3 cars in total. The 3rd one being pristine to show what the other 2 will look like done kind of thing.

As we get closer the date, I'll update this page to show the cars selected.

Book tickets at www.necrestorationshow.com

Club members, followers and friends quoting CCC5M503 unlock £3.50 off single-day adult tickets or £2 off family, child or multi-day tickets.

Club discount applies to Advance ticket prices if purchased before midnight on 20 March and the Show Open ticket prices thereafter.

Full ticket information at www.necrestorationshow.com/ticket-information.

Book by 27 March & you'll help our club earn additional benefits.

[StubbornPatriot]

For your consideration

A tatty 220 GTi Turbo Currently a rolling wreck but Taxed, MoTed and Insured.

Among the jobs that might be suitable for the Resto Show:-

Replace Tailgate loom (I have a used replacement) and probably the rear wiper motor (I also have a used, untested replacement). Currently neither wiper nor heater work. I don't suppose the wash jet works either.

Replace headlining (would aim to have replacement prepped ready to swap in at show).

Interior replacement - Both Front seats and rear seat; at least 1 rear door card (maybe both). I have all the replacement, used parts.

Heater system - probably needs matrix replacing (I have a used, untested replacement) but may be something else. Would probably need a drain down for a precautionary replacement of the thermostat (I have a NOS replacement) in the process. This may be too risky to do at the show as car would be undriveable if not completed.

Replace Dashboard wooden insert and fix/replace clock. I'm in the process of reconditioning a replacement insert.

Other bits of the interior still require a more thorough clean, including sunroof shade.

Although it needs a full respray, if we've got people who can get the best out of some pretty dull paintwork, it would be nice to see it all polished up properly, even though it is 2 shades of white. If someone could teach me how to do it in the process, that would be a bonus.

I may get some of this done before the show anyway but unlikely I'll get all of it done. For me, currently, the heater is the most important target, it's damn cold most of the time.

Or you can have the 216 GSi and swap the front sub-frame over. I borrowed one from Kev Willis a few years ago and I really should give it back. I have a replacement but just haven't got around to fitting it yet. Also needs Sun Roof fixing/replacing and the headlining doing.

Cheers,

Duncan

[itcaptainslow]

Regarding the paintwork, if we do that, we’ll ideally need a stand with some power, to run a machine polisher.

[220 GSi turbo]

I can offer a 25 GTi (you have two to choose from: one red, one gold)

Both need a headlining replacement and some cosmetic repairs around the wheelarches (no welding or grinding ). The red one also needs a couple of replacement ABS rings and a front bumper change.

[GTiJohn]

Any more offers of cars for the show?

We'll be looking to firm-up the plan soon, so please let us know if you could spare your car for a weekend.

Ideally, we'd have 2 cars needing some work and 2 cars that don't

[Plodder]

Could a rear suspension rebuild using poly bushes on my 91 Rover 416 GTi be too much work or too difficult for the restoration show?

Don’t want to offer my car for this year as I don’t want to put myself under pressure to get it back together in time with the work I’m currently doing.

But wondered for a future show.

I would be looking to change Trailing arm bushes , roll bar bushes and the bushes on the other link arms. I have a trailing arm bush extraction tool and could get all the link arms parts sourced and rebushed in advance.

[GTiJohn]

We have done that job before with the car on axle stands and still bear the scars...

Maybe the extraction tooling wasn't the best but anything that still requires belting with a large hammer is awkward, with the limited height available.

What's the tooling you have ?

[StubbornPatriot]

What's that saying, about blaming their tools? Nuff said.

[Plodder]

Yes I did think it might perhaps be a job too far given the equipment available and the time frame. This is the extraction tool I’ve brought but I’ve yet to use it so I don’t know how well it might work.
Sorry it’s a rubbish photo.
Also just realised the the poly trailing arm bushes says that the metal shell of the old bush is to be left in so this adds to the difficulty of the job.
Perhaps not a good idea after all.

[itcaptainslow]

The owner of a car I'm currently looking after, Reverend Corke (who is a club member), has kindly permitted me to offer it for the stand in March.

It's a rather lovely 214 SLi I've been titivating for him - cosmetically it's 95% there, needing a couple of bits around the edges paint wise, but it's a far cry from when it was rescued last year from sitting unloved out the back of a dealership who took it as a trade in.

I've done most of the mechanical work the car needs (it's currently sans gearbox having a clutch replacement!), so it can either be a "restored" example, or I can perform the precautionary head gasket change Rev. Corke has asked me to do at the show.

It's rather lovely, and I'm very fond of it!