Best of the Restoration Show NEC 2024 | Classic Obsession | Episode 62

In this episode Gary delivers the best of this year's Practical Classic Restoration Show at the Birmingham NEC. With his Porsche painted and delivered just in time to sit pride of place by the main stage and his Jaguar XJS amongst rare E-types on the Jaguar Driver's Club stand, it promises to be an excellent weekend!
Created with the support of Footman James, classic vehicle insurance specialists and founders of
Coffee and Chrome Collective: www.footmanjames.co.uk/
Created with the support of IntroCar, International Rolls-Royce and Bentley Parts Specialists:
www.introcar.com/
Use code “MAVERS” for site wide discount on Rolls-Royce and Bentley parts.

[@PaulFellows3430]

What a fantastic young lady Emily is - passionate about classic cars, pleasant, very articulate and keen to get many more young people involved. The classic car world needs more youngsters like her.

[@classic.obsession]

Well said. We all need to encourage young people to get involved. Regards.

[@simonelliott5956]

Great video Gary, very pleased to see you featuring Emily, what an outstanding young lady and a great ambassador for StarterMotor, who I think are based at Bicester Heritage. We need the younger generation to get into the hobby, to keep it alive going forward.

[@EmilyGrace-oq1hi]

Thank you so much for the support Gary, it was so nice to meet you! I hope we can work together again in the future. Who knows maybe in 4 years time we will meet again at the NEC with Barney (the morris minor) once he is all cleaned up. 😍 I really do hope that sharing my story will inspire other young people to get their hands on a classic. I hope every young person realises that it's never to soon to take the jump. The sooner you begin to open the doors that are available to you the brighter your future will be. It's scary to step out your comfort zone but it's worth it. If you love old cars and want to become a part of the community of young people who are creating a future for classic and vintage cars then take the jump and start the conversations, whether that's becoming a member of a young members club, or grabbing a spanner and getting to work whatever it is make sure you share your love. As young people we cannot do anything alone we need the support and encouragement from older generations. If you don't teach us now no one will and the skills that these cars require will die out and so will the community. We need you to have faith in every young person's dream, and help them to accomplish it. Without your belief and trust in our generation to own, love and restore old cars there is no hope for the future of classics. I will leave you with this challenge....What can YOU do this week to TEACH a young person about the world of classic and vintage cars, SHARE some of your knowledge skills and resources and ENCOURAGE people like me to get stuck in and see where the journey leads? 🤷 If you want to support bring back barney then you can follow the socials to keep updated on this journey! Barney's Insta- @bringbackbarney My Insta- @emsclassicandvintage Or contact us on gmail [e-mail]

[@classic.obsession]

Absolute pleasure Emily. You have just the right attitude and enthusiasm to influence more young people to get involved which is exactly what we need. As I’ve mentioned before, because of the age of computer governed cars, we have somehow skipped a couple of generations of a tradition which bonded parents with their children on their driveways at weekends!! Let’s get you in a few interviews in classic magazines and together we can maybe help champion the cause! Gx

[@kevrobierts8235]

​@@classic.obsession That Lovely you were brIl wIth LIz CarlIn On bbC1

[@Leathersladekitchen]

You’re an amazing inspiration Emily, keep doing what you’re doing, big future ahead for you.

[@Theoriginalbigbrillo]

I never knew Malcolm Maclaren was a car Enthusiast 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Theoriginalbigbrillo]

Ahhh the young girl at the end Gary reminds me of my youngest Daughter Our Jenn Never gonna be a mechanic , but the future content writers of the classic car fraternity 👍👍

[@gonzalomartinez-gil2820]

Me encanta este Hombre, que bien a dejado su 928, y verlo trabajar en cada cosa que iba haciendo, en calma y con tranquilidad, es envidiable.

[@martinclapton2724]

Encouraging young people to join the classic car movement, I agree fully. Sometimes I think high premiums for restoration and high price for cars in general can deter youngsters to get involved. Good to see young ones having a go in this video

[@henriknilsson7851]

What a lovely patina of chicken poo! Talk about a true barn find! A lot of very interesting cars.

[@elsagordon9347]

This young lady will go far with her attitude and enthusiasm, really good to see youngsters getting involved in this sort of thing and hope others will look up to her. Well done Emily!!!

[@bullbreeduk4917]

Really enjoyed this upload as always, that young lady will go far with her attitude and enthusiasm, good to see youngsters getting involved.

[@classic.obsession]

We need more of them. It’s like that culture of helping dad with the old jollopie has skipped a coupla generations. Regards

[@jonboy9912]

That young lady is the future for classic cars! What a show!! I never cease to be amazed at how far people let cars go and how far they bring them back!!!

[@user-xz9dn2ub1x]

Great show really enjoyed 😊😊😊😮 Thank you Very well presented

[@henryhol8538]

Brilliant! Our classics are safe with the next Generation. Your video shows up all the cars I missed when I filmed there on Sunday!

[@pedrosalas4460]

The last young lady was very right,the older people have to teach younger generation that art of restauratuon,so the classic cars dont die. Great video Gary,once more

[@keithdaryl1501]

A most enjoyable episode. Very relaxed, very human, very interesting, loved it.👍👍👍👍

[@classic.obsession]

How’d the jag look?

[@keithdaryl1501]

Hi Gary, I just played the episode for Daryl and we were more than impressed. PS. Daryl will be 70 on the 27th, doesn't time fly. The way you look after that car it will last to be at least 70). XX K&D

[@archie7727]

What a fabulous young lady and a tremendous future lying ahead of her! We need more people like her with an attitude for success and a passion for such beautiful pieces of art!

[@classic.obsession]

Agreed

[@chriskennard5920]

Some brilliant ingredients in this video Gary and of course Emily was the icing on the cake. Good for her!

[@anthonydonnelly8419]

Good round up and especially encouraging to see the young getting into classic cars and speaking so well in the case of that girl you spoke with

[@stukatz3903]

Once again Gary, an inspirational video showing us the beauty of our hobby and the great future that we have with young people taking our baton as we hope for a future in our passion. Well done again Sir! Please keep the videos coming.

[@ianmedium]

Absolutely wonderful Gary, I always loved the Stag, They always seemed to be driven by lovable rogues!

[@johnoxborough924]

Very good video Gary, especially liked your interview with Hayden Spedding and his splendid modsports Etype Jaguar. A car that I raced against with 6 different drivers in the 70s and 80s with my 2 modsports Etype Jaguars. Hayden’s referral “Liverpool mafia” was probably aimed at Brian Murphy and David Moore who ran modsports Etypes as a team known as the Vehicle Steamclean Services ,the cars then were painted light blue .My own racing Etypes are still running , one in Porto Rico and one in Czechoslovakia . So pleased to see you being a big part of the classic car scene, cheers honest John.

[@classic.obsession]

Lovely insight John. Many thanks.

[@S.teve.]

@@classic.obsession I've heard and i think it's true that Honest John [ Oxborough] has also put some of his driving skills to good effect on and off the set of Peak Practice --

[@bobfrankish8883]

Thanks for that one Gary, I would have liked to attend but wasn't well enough. How inspiring is Emily? It really does your heart good to see youngsters like her. It would have been good to meet you, next year maybe, who knows.

[@PaulFellows3430]

Get well soon.

[@rosie_mae1251]

GO EMILYYYYYY WHAT A ROLE MODEL X

[@AdamMoore-rg2vt]

Another great video. Gary, come and see my Lotus Elite Type 75 just pulled out of 13 year dry storage. I’m going to slowly bring it back to life

[@jamesstanden3252]

Great show Gary!! Perfect bank holiday Monday viewing

[@xrstopherpopp120]

what a cute and focused little girl...i swear at that age I was virtually unintelligible and scattered. Looks like dad is spending his time wisely with her.

[@Erwinhooi]

Ouch, now get a rest!☺️I hope you recover soon! But thanks for another great episode👏🏻It’s fun to see the rusted through oldies🤣

[@classic.obsession]

Thank you! 😊

[@DS246416]

Brilliant episode once again!

[@peterjones2845]

Just watched you with Videobob , you look like you where glad to get back home.

[@berwhaletheavenger]

When I was her age (in 1981) I really wanted Morris Minor. Alas, I've had most other cars but never owned one. Oddly, there seem to be as may around now as there were then!

[@jamesellsworth9673]

The Footman James display was interesting: there would be a lifetime of restoration work to do for all of those vehicles.

[@scottstrails9369]

Another fab video Gary with an Eclectic mix of cars and people from all ages ,interesting to see the Green Rochdale GT that were popular back in the day with the E type factory workers to build at home from a Ford prefect chassis and kit body to resemble a scaled down E type coupe in many ways .Plenty of Family mentions in this video with many anecdotal stories and even a mention of the Liverpool (car) mafia from one of the Jag lads …happy days and thanks again Gary .

[@classic.obsession]

As an Etype man I kinda guessed it’d be up your street!! Regards.

[@neilharrison7555]

The Stag:- two 4 cylinder engines were NOT welded together to make a V8. The engine was designed from concept, as a V8. The engine cooling problems were caused by numerous problems, such as: block castings were not cleaned out by the foundry, resulting in casting sand blocking/restricting coolant circulation. The factory (unbelievably!) didn't realise lack of anti-freeze from new would lead to electrolytic corrosion of the cylinder head waterways. Also, from new the "Bean counters" decided that THEY wanted CHEAPER head gaskets to be used - the engineering dept. had already tested several gaskets and knew which ones suited the engine best. Results were of course inevitable - lots of overheating, head gaskets failing, being replaced, then further problems with gaskets blowing again, heads becoming distorted, and so it went on....unbelievably, when it was found using anti-freeze minimised head waterway corrosion, Triumph didn't even issue a Service Bulletin - some dealers were still using water only as coolant! My own Stag is a 1977, 37,000 mile car. Yes, engine has been rebuilt, with NO overheating. Loved the rest of the video, the barn find section was fascinating - and the Stag.....THAT was a Stag TOO FAR....GONE!!! (Shudder.....!)

[@charliejackman2953]

Great bit of history, thanks Neil 👍

[@1968spikey]

Nailed it and saved me typing it out. WHY they didn't just use the 215 Buick V8 is a total own goal cum mystery.

[@brianiswrong]

Isn't it daft how much they spent designing the car, designing the engine and yet for the sake of a few £ on each 1 (blow all the casting out and de nibbed, a few pence on the correct material for head gaskets and a very few pennies to add anti freeze and a label to each car) nuts.

[@user-qp1gr5un4n]

I believe the Cadillac was a Flower Car for Funerals.

[@classic.obsession]

Yep that’s right. Affluent ones. Regards

[@alexday5892]

That Moggy will be a serious project but I really hope the young lady gets it back on the road. Quite a few Stags over here in Oz. They love their V8s here. Give me that Red MkII Escort. Always wanted of those. Another great video. Thanks Gary

[@bradfordbarrettluckotheIrish]

I just subscribed as o’l Video Bob featured you. I’m a Jag man myself and Porsche fan.

[@mpershyn31]

Gary, thank you for the video! Really enjoyed it!

[@stewartevans3875]

Great review of the show Gary - My favourit was the hearse - George and I were musing at how it had been coverted - it must have started off as a 4 door sedan back in the day and been comverted from there - pretty crude conversion by all accounts but an amazing vehicle. FJ is probably the best stand there and was so interesting and we look forward to the next show later in the year. The 928 looked stunning ! Cheers stew

[@classic.obsession]

Good to see you again Stew..

[@TahoeRealm]

I was hoping you were going to do this. Looking forward to watching it.

[@thor8640]

I think that Cadillac "pick up" is a flower car, used to transport all the Wreath's and flowers in a funeral procession. If you google funeral flower car you can find a fully restored 58 model with a similar door set up.

[@chrisdorrell1]

Emily was fab good luck.to her. I bet we see her on the grid at F1 in a few years or may a remake of Top Gear. (Old style Clarkson, May and Hammond era of course).

[@csnelling4]

Thank you Gary , a great video👏👏👏👏👏👍🍺

[@darrenbyrne4622]

That was awesome gary many thanks

[@LiquidAudio]

Great stuff mate!

[@stevebacon5466]

Great episode, Gary. 👏

[@ronniewilson6597]

Great video Gary. 👍🏻😀

[@davegavin7914]

Wasn’t able attend thanks Gary for sharing video 🇬🇧👍🏻😉

[@rcclassicgarage]

Great video Gary and what a good show it was

[@neilwharton720]

Great tour, what the young lady Emily said is very true without new young people getting involved in classic cars what’s the future hold?

[@timsnook2953]

I remember Hazel 😂

[@classic.obsession]

Who could forget that perm!!

[@andrewcumming6319]

I reckon the cadillac ute started life as a hearse.

[@classic.obsession]

Somebody just messaged from the states saying they were used as a hearse. The coffin would go in the back surrounded by flowers. Only for the very important or affluent !! Regards

[@lukemallory7832]

You mentioned it in the video, but this episode did have quite an 'Antiques Roadshow' feel about it - and as an AR fan, that is no complaint!

[@martinboulden4388]

Brilliant content as always. ❤

[@classic.obsession]

Thanks again!

[@dmorga1]

The Cadillac appears to be what we across the pond would call the "flower car." The casket would go in the back and was surrounded by flowers. It was a fancy way to deliver the deceased to their final resting place--definitely not something you would break out for the average bloke's funeral!

[@classic.obsession]

Mafias or somebody of stature…

[@as3cs3]

might be wrong but I think the Flower cars were in addition tp the Hearses. Think they just carried the flower memorial thing 🤷‍♂

[@MartinvonBargen]

Your voice sounds like you've been at a stay behind in The Eagle and Child Gary!

[@thomascoyne157]

Some of the nicest cars I’ve seen good video 👍👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🏆

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

A lot of Merseyside connections on the Footman James barnfind stand… obviously the blue and red in their logo for the footy clubs but the Stag bodyshells were made at the British Leyland Speke plant, the Mk2 Escort at the Ford Halewood plant and the Mk1 Astra over the river at Vauxhall Ellesmere Port !

[@classic.obsession]

Hi John, And all started rotting away before they even left the factory!! Regards.

[@iantombs8834]

You are right about aherse but it was used for carrying flowers to funrals

[@classic.obsession]

That’s right. I believe it used to follow the hearse wilfully of flowers but I was also told that sometimes they would also mount the coffin in and surround it with the flowers. Mafias funerals?!!

[@neildonaldsonlotusexcelresto]

You've got to buy that Triumph Stag Gary... The only man on the planet crazy enough to take that on 🙂

[@classic.obsession]

Haaaaah!!

[@PaulFellows3430]

@@classic.obsession you might be crazy Gary but I don't think you're QUITE that crazy! 😉

[@andrewnichols1023]

I love the 928, my dad years ago had a Porsche dealership and drove 930 turbos and 964 Carreras but I was in love with the 928 and the GTS with the wider body was nuts.

[@Rob-zx8lm]

Good review.

[@classic.obsession]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@craigorford9932]

Would have liked to have gone

[@coddiwomplecolster7329]

Gary's voice was rougher than that Stag. Might be a bit overdue an MOT.

[@scottmclennan6114]

Like the Cortina. Here in Oz you could get them with a 4.1 in line six. They went like stink.

[@williamstevens4054]

Dating back to the late 18th Century, funeral flowers and sprays were traditionally transported in an Open Carriage and driven in front of the horse-drawn Hearse. By the 1900's, the first Automobile Hearses were equipped with special trays to display the flowers around the casket in the car. These racks were often chrome or wood and were built-into the vehicle on hinges. At large funerals, Touring Car Phaeton's carried the flower sprays with the top down. This body concept has carried through the Centuries straight through, till now. Sometimes, as many as TEN Flower Cars would proceed the procession. Especially, when Dignitaries, Famous Movie Stars or Gangster-types. The 'special purpose' Flower Car began to reach huge favor by the 1930's. However, by the Fifties the much improved, long-low slung Flower Car 'Limousine' Style Cars had indeed 'arrived', reaching the pinnacle of success! By that time, the now purely ornamental rear boot, that resembled a folded-down and Stacked Convertible Top, became the 'Hallmark' of every single Flower Car built.... even true to this day. Back then, there weren't many Funeral Car Fleets that didn't contain at least ONE Flower Car. Some of the big city Funeral homes had multiple Flower Coaches. With the exception of Flexible Motor Coaches, all the big Coach Builders offered Coupe-Style Flower Cars as the "Crown Jewel" of their Funeral Car Fleets. Even the small, economy coach builders like Barnette, Acme, Meteor and National offered customers smart looking, Coupe-Stylized Flower Cars on Long Wheelbase Pontiac and Chevrolet Chassis.' For many of us, as Auto Enthusiasts, the 1950's also marked the High Point of the Automobile as the American Icon of Cultural History. Who could ever forget the Flashy Fins, Styling and Flamboyance as America celebrated the End of War with cars that not only 'looked like' P-38 Aircraft but, were designed/rendered after actual Airplanes. Every manufacturer offered a 'new 'body-style each year. It was the Beginning of Good Times....a Generation of over excess! It was a time of over-use of chrome, Big Dagmar Bumpers (aka: "Bumper Bombs"), Huge Fins, 3-Tone Paint Schemes, 4-Door Hardtops, Wide Whitewall Tires and Big Gaudy Convertibles. Sales of 'new' cars soared with their increased popularity and even the Pro Car Builders found they had little choice but, to follow the lead. No matter how Conservative...they found themselves using wrap-around windshields, large fins, and gobs of chrome on every surface. Fueled by the increase in Post-War Sales the Packard (Henney) took a backseat, and were considered ultra-conservative, "a High Buttoned Shoes" Automobile which allowed Cadillac to shift into high gear. For 1950, Cadillac redesigned their entire Commercial Chassis and it's biggest customers (Superior, Meteor, A.J. Miller, Eureka and Hess & Eisenhardt- S&S ) fought to build the most attractive Ambulances, Hearse and Flower Cars. Packard Henney sales, still camped out in "Oversized Bathtub Land" withered to a fraction of what they normally produced, as the body styles they produced appeared, and were, 'dated' looking. They closed for good in 1954. Back then, you could choose from 2 traditional Funeral Hearse styles the Landau and Limousine Style (the model with abundant windows). Both were endowed with real Chrome, yards of Heavy Drapes and Mohair interiors. But, the Top of the Fleet was always considered the Flower Car. The 'Fifties', was indeed, the year the Flower Car reached it's all-time top popularity. In Flower Cars: There are only two different basic Versions you could order. The "Western-Style" which had an open cavern behind the passenger cabin which flower baskets were carried on. That was fitted with a Canvas or Stainless Steel protected area. The Tonneau cover snapped, or buttoned into place, over or under the flowers. The far more popular (and more expensive) "Eastern Style" came equipped with a hydraulically adjustable steel deck. The floral sprays were artistically arranged across the deck, held in place by chrome rails for display, as the car moved to the graveside at the Cemetery. The Deluxe versions had a hydraulically operated flower deck that could be adjusted to accommodate a cot, or casket and, could also be lowered to protect the flowers in the wind. The 'boot', or faux convertible top, was hinged to move out of the way. The rear door opens to expose a full stainless compartment for a casket. Some Funeral Homes used the Flower Car for both needs, but for the most part as an active duty hearse. Thus, they earned the name "Floral Funeral Coaches". This was one of a few made with an Automatic Transmission. This Coach is a very rare "Florentine Model" designed to carry a casket, with a flip-up Boot, and a wide rear door to accommodate casket entry. It is equipped with a full stainless coffin chamber and casket rollers. The rear side doors allow for the Church Truck, Chairs or Pulpit. Today , due to the high cost to build, late model Flower Cars are only built in very limited numbers. It's only by popular demand, and the latest trend to return to "The Old Ways", that they have seen a resurgence of these great new tribute Coaches and Classic Hearses.

[@darolfitch8917]

The old Cadi was used as a flower car, for funerals.

[@classic.obsession]

Yep

[@SuperWayneyb]

🤘😎🤘

[@edwardreed7347]

Gary, did you used to own a pine green audi A2? I'm trying to get it back on the road and your name comes up on some documents. MX51? Thanks Edd

[@classic.obsession]

Yes. Some years back now Ed. I bought it new. Was a great car. Regards.

[@edwardreed7347]

@classic.obsession wow, that's cool, I'm in the A2OC club, I'm doing some work on it as it was going to be scrapped. I'll get it running and mot soon, I hope. Cars south of Bristol now I got it from Cornwall!

[@BMan100]

for a second I thought they'd have farm animals there....

[@classic.obsession]

No. Just my barking gravelly voice!!

[@BMan100]

@@classic.obsession "Gargling" all mud from the 928 caught up with you. You did clean her up nice, can't wait to see the guys reaction to it's restoration in a future video. All the best Gary!

[@MegaSKAGGS]

Pretty sure Hazel drove a brg Stag?

[@classic.obsession]

Could of been but I remembered navy blue. I’ll have to check it out!! Regards

[@classic.obsession]

I just checked. You’re right it was BRG but was originally red when new! Regards.

[@classic.obsession]

Black and white television sets hey!!

[@MegaSKAGGS]

​​Ha ha my memory isn't usually that great but I vividly remember the colour because in one of the last episodes the plot included someone putting a pickaxe thought the softop of the stag Still makes me wince even now.. Great videos by the way especially the resto ones, Im going to attempt a seat colour re furb primarily due to your info You are like a thinking mans Matt Armstrong....😂 @@classic.obsession

[@1968spikey]

When someone thinks a scouser sounds like a geordie... 😂

[@classic.obsession]

I know!! Brian Johnson!

[@1968spikey]

@@classic.obsession LOVE the channel Gary. Been a sub for a couple of years now.

[@1968spikey]

Why put a rotary in that Jag??? And if going for clean induction air use the two bottom light apertures, rather than making it look one eyed. LOVE that car but please modify it sympathetically.

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

Yes totally the wrong characteristics for an engine to replace an XK 6 surely…. Retropower’s tuned Toyota 3 litre made a lot of sense….

[@1968spikey]

@@johnmoruzzi7236 exactly. Personally I'd so for a Supercharged F-type lump. Newer, better economy, more power and retains the bloodline.

[@metalman4141]

Welded two engines together 😂 I don’t think so

[@classic.obsession]

But you would think so…they got it so wrong..

[@johnkelly2098]

That Caddy strikes me as being the worst executed attempt at a custom job I've ever seen and at 74 years old, I've seen a few.

[@classic.obsession]

But it’s not John. It’s an original flower/casket funeral car for affluent, Mafiosa or presidents. Unbelievable isn’t it? Regsrds

[@johnkelly2098]

I'm gobsmacked! @@classic.obsession