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Classic Motor Show 2022

Only a little over a fortnight to go ’til the doors open on the UK’s biggest and best indoor Classic Car show!

Why not join us, we will be in Hall 4, stand 4-490.

Members get discounted tickets if booked in advance at www.necclassicmotorshow.com quoting the club code published  in the members-only section of our website, if you’ve failed to access this contact us to check membership and code.


Bill McMahon, RIP

It is with great sadness that we report that Bill McMahon, a long-time Register member, passed away recently.

Bill was passionate about all things J. He attended many Register get-togethers in his van JJW 109, believed to be the oldest surviving standard steel-bodied van in England. He was also a regular helper on our stands at the Classic Car Show at the NEC.

We send condolences to his family at this sad time.

Bill will be mourned and missed by all who knew him.


Happy New Year


The Classic Motor Show is ready to go!

We’re there! Stand 4-650 in Hall 4, right next to the Restoration Theatre.

Sit and watch demonstrations of panel beating and spraying etc, then nip over to our stand to see the lovely Austin 101 and the Morris J/B tipper.

There is another J/B on display in Hall 3, a sister vehicle to the J-tipper on our stand.

We look forward to chatting with you!


Classic Motor Show NEC 2021

At last, something that we can ‘blog’ about that maybe signals the world getting back to some kind of normality. We have accepted the offer of a last minute stand at this year’s Classic Motor Show.

I had a phonecall from the organisers offering a smallish stand – room for two vans only – so ideal really. The stand offered (4-650) is right next to the Restoration Theatre which could make for a really interesting time and hopefully lots of additional interest in our vehicles. It certainly looks like there should be enough room for a table and a couple of well-spaced chairs, plus a couple of display boards.

I contacted a couple of relatively local members – Mike Herritts and Mike Bell – to see if they’d like to participate. Both said “yes”.
Which means that all being well we’ll have the Herritts’ ex-Dennis Bradley tipper (undergoing restoration which will see it emerge in the Herritts’ brown/red livery) and Mike Bell’s British Rail-liveried Austin 101.
So I’ve said a big “yes” to the stand, and can confirm that all is approved. Having this stand should stand us in good stead in advance of the 2023 Anniversary, when we’d definitely hope to get a stand offer.
We will be putting up a discounted ticket offer from the organisers over the next day or so, so do check this out.
A level of caution still makes sense. I’ve hardly been anywhere this past 18 months, but at some point we all have to start adjusting to this ‘new old life’…
Regarding COVID precautions, Clarion have stated: Clarion is committed to running the show this year and we ask that you be willing to work with us to present a safe and successful event.  This may require us all to be a bit flexible in our planning, depending on the Covid situation.  The event industry’s All Secure Standard document is currently being reviewed to reflect new government guidance.  Full details about measures and procedures that will be in place at the show and further guidance for clubs will be issued soon.

 


Ken Cooke, RIP

It is with great sadness that we report that Ken Cooke, a long-time Register member, passed away on the 7th April after a long illness.

Ken was passionate about all things J. The fount of all knowledge regarding the J-type and its Austin 101 variants, he was always happy to pass on this expertise, acquired down the years, to any owner or enthusiast.

His favourite van was undoubtedly XRH 885, the Austin 101 that he had owned for 56 years. Fellow owners and enthusiasts got together with Ken to celebrate the 50 year-milestone at Gaydon in 2014.

Ken kept XRH in immaculate condition and attended many Register get-togethers in it.

He will be sorely missed on the Rally scene.

We send condolences to his son Kevin and daughter Debbie. Debbie has vowed that the 101 will remain in her possession, and that it will be seen at rallies as and when possible.

One of life’s true gentlemen, Ken will be mourned and missed by all who knew him.

Ken and his van featured in the  book, ‘The J-type’ by David Allison and Harvey Pitcher, and was a regular sighting on the TV series Heartbeat.

Ken and his daughter Debbie with presentation plaque

XRH 885 information board


New date for Classic Van and Pickup Show

We have heard from the organisers at Gaydon’s British Motor Museum that a new date has been scheduled for the 2021 Classic Van and Pickup Show, in conjunction with the Classic and Vintage Commercial Show. It is now scheduled for the weekend of August 14th/15th. This is in line with the latest government announcements about the timings for changes to the current Covid lockdown.

STOP PRESS: 03/03/21: The organisers have announced that the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery, will not run on 11-13 June 2021 as planned. The next edition of the show will now take place 18-20 March 2022.


Good times are a-coming, and vans for sale too!

We have had contact from Clarion Events – the organisers of the NEC Classic Car Show – who are aiming for November 12-14 2021 for the next show, so less than a year and counting… with all the news of successful vaccines about to come on stream, we ARE applying for a stand.
Life will never be back to the ‘old normal’ – I’m sure we all know that – but there will be something like that rosy glow of ‘old times’ should we once again be able to display a few of our beloved vans in amongst a hall full of finely restored motors.
We’ve even had a bit of a brainwave for organising vans to appear:
I was looking up some info on the ‘Surviving J chassis number list’ and noticed that 4 vans were together on it:
7418 WJ – ex MacFisheries, being restored to its original livery by Gordon Wilson
YMJ 702 – the wonderful British Rail Austin van owned by Mike Bell
5003 NX – mine
941 XMT – Steve Parkes’ ex-Graham Wilton van (currently about to be put up for sale, so who knows where it might be in a year…)
Four vans all within a production batch of 368 vans, which may well have been going down the line at Adderley Park in the same week – could be the same day even, for the last two, only 34 apart. All registered some 60 years ago come January… that would make for a great display at the NEC, wouldn’t it!
Mike’s up for it, I’m up for it, Gordon is too, with the proviso that it depends upon his van being finished. Fingers crossed that XMT finds a home with someone who will look kindly upon the idea of displaying for a few days.
The new digital Digest has been well received. Work is now underway on Digest 2, so if you have any editorial contributions that you think might be suitable for future use please do send them in. Publishing any form of newsletter relies on owners and enthusiasts sending in J-related stuff to include.
FOR SALE: As mentioned above, Steve Parkes is considering selling 941 XMT and 416 MML, his two J minibuses. If you are interested in either (or both) Steve can be contacted via steveparkes68@gmail.com or on 07973 405119.

2020 NEC Classic Motor Show cancelled

IN RESPONSE TO THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE RECENT GOVERNMENT DIRECTIVES IN REGARDS TO THE PANDEMIC, THE 2020 LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW, WITH DISCOVERY, HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

Show Director Lee Masters explained: “The current Covid-19 climate has created uncertainty for both our exhibitors and visitors. With the weeks now counting down towards our open date we have taken the difficult decision to postpone this year’s event.”

“As a team, we are extremely disappointed as we have done everything within our power to try and make it happen. We want to thank all our partners, clubs, exhibitors, visitors and suppliers who have supported our endeavours to bring the show to you this year. We understand that this decision will be a disappointment to many people who eagerly await the Classic Motor Show each year and look forward to when we can get together again.”

“We would particularly like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the clubs and their members who, despite the current situation, were willing to support the show this November. To be fair to everyone, we will be inviting all clubs to reapply to be a part of the Classic Motor Show 12-14 November 2021. Further details will be issued later in the Autumn.”


Gaydon Classic Commercials Aug 9th 2020

Sunday the 9th is the day for what was the Classic Van and Pick-up Show at Gaydon. It has now been amalgamated with the annual Classic & Vintage Gathering, also moved forward from its original June date. 

In any normal year the Register would be happy to display, but in these Covid19-sensitive times we have not felt that it is safe enough yet to poke our heads above the parapet, as it were.
Find out more at: www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/classic-and-vintage-commercial-show