NOVEMBER 2009 - The Show Review

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You came in your thousands to see this year's Classic Motor Show and who could blame you, as it was a blinder!

We're still counting up, but early indications are that there were up to 48,000 attendees for the Classic Motor Show. Add to that the visitors from MPH and Top Gear Live (including one Mr James May putting his head round the door) and we are looking at around 90,000 combined visitors in total!

The fabulous array of Cortinas; the Steve McQueen Ferrari; the popular Morris Minors or the chrome Bugatti Veyron? Which car was your favourite?

We're just updating our image gallery with all the pictures from the show but there already hundreds on Flickr for you to see. Or let us know what was your highlight of the show on our Facebook and Twitter Pages

The Classic Bike hall proved extremely popular with visitors including Top Gear presenter James May who was eyeing up a Moto Guzzi for sale and even pocketed a Biker's Bible for his next column.

With more bikes than ever before (and some pretty ladies dotted around the hall) there was something for everyone with British Bikes lining up with Italian and Japanese examples. There were also some amazing vintage bicycles and some fantastic scooters. This was topped off with the Travel Ink Tattoo Parlour and some top tunes from Milkcow's DJ. It made for a great atmosphere and certainly got everyone in a classic mood.

Yes we said goodbye to Mo our 1960 red Morris Mini at the show when competition winner Juliet Spare drove off the Live Stage in Mo and hasn't been seen since.

Juliet from Moseley saw the competition in the Birmingham Mail and texted in thinking she'd never win - just shows you never know when your luck will change.

Ace Cafe London presented a stunning array of motorcycles for the Cafe Racer Concours.

Awards were given to Mick Sobolak and his Norvin (Best Classic Cafe Racer, Pre 1969), Paul Sharman and his CND 850 SF (Best Post Classic Cafe Racer, 1969 to 1984), and Darren Smith and his Buell M2 Cyclone (Best Modern Cafe Racer, 1984 to present). The Best Cafe Racer in Show award went to Mick Barton and his Barton Norvin. The Pride of Ownership award was given to John Lay for his vintage Levis.

We weren't the only ones breaking records as the Sporting Bears and their Dream Ride garage proved a hit once again.

Over 1,000 people enjoyed a Dream Ride and over £38,000 was raised over the three show days. The money will be split between Midlands based Thomas's Fund, Derian House Children's Hospice in Lancashire, and Julia's House, Dorset.

The hardest job over the weekend was picking the winner of the Meguiar's Club Showcase - so we're glad we didn't have to do it!

A flawless 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 was finally chosen as the 'Best in Show'. Finished in Ferrari's iconic yellow, Giallo Modena, with a Nero leather interior, the 1967 275 GTB/4 owned by David Moores had previously won the HR Owen Trophy for Car of the Day at the 2009 Ferrari Concours earlier in the year. Once again the judges were faced with a tough decision due to the exceptional quality of the vehicles taking part in the showcase, with ultimately only six points separating first and second place.

12th to 14th November 2010 - put these dates in your diary now because that's when we do it all again. We'll be keeping you updated with our plans over the coming months as well as continuing to offer some fab prizes to newsletter subscribers.

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Footman James and Meguiar's - show sponsors CES UK, sponsor of Restoration Theatre, and Singletons, sponsor of Dealer Area Stage hosts Mike Brewer and Edd China, Den Tanner at Pilgrim Cars for the Cobra, all our Exhibitors, Teem Services, and everyone else who made the show a great success

Biggest THANK YOU of all goes out to every one of you who bought a ticket. We sincerely hope you enjoyed the show as much as we did putting it all together. Your support has been magnificent, so thanks again - and see you next time!

See you next year!