PRACTICAL CLASSICS RESTORATION SHOW NATIONAL CAR CLUB AWARDS
This year’s National Car Club Awards recognise the big achievements, best cars and hardworking heroes that keep our hobby alive. Here are all of this year’s winners
A classic run dreamt up over a pizza that’s raised millions of pounds for good causes, a Morris Minor that’s been driven blindfolded and a taxi discovered languishing in a London lock-up are among the winners of this year’s National Car Club Awards.
The judges –CCW’s David Simister, PracticalClassicseditor Danny Hopkins and Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs chairman David Whale – looked at the achievements from clubs over the past year and more than 1000 cars at the show to agree on this year’s winners, with the Club Hero of the Year being voted for by readers of CCW.
Awards host and TV star Paul Cowland said: ‘These awards recognise the achievements of the nation’s clubs, the enthusiasts who run them and the remarkable cars that they cherish.’
And Andrew Evanson, senior operations manager of award sponsor, Lancaster Insurance, said: ‘Clubs are hugely important to keeping our classic community alive. Without them their knowledge and skills wouldn’t be passed on, so they really help to keep our hobby on the road.’ ❚ nationalcarclubawards.com
Charitable Endeavours
It’s a year since ‘Miranda’ – a 1963 two-door saloon donated to the club – was transformed into a yellow charity fundraiser and unveiled at the resto show. Since then it has played a central role in the Morris Minor’s 75th anniversary, travelling around the UK to raise more than £14,000 for Marie Curie – including a stint at the anniversary rally, where brave enthusiasts were challenged to drive it…while blindfolded! It’s since been put up for sale to raise even more cash, shows how classics can be a force for good and raise the profile of older cars with the wider public.
The Italian Job
Lots of ideas are dreamt up over a glass of wine and a pizza but few are still going strong 35 years later after managing to raise more than £3m. This homage to the 1969 film is open to all Minis with one condition – that entrants raise as much money as possible for charities – and the run has managed to capture the imagination of enthusiasts from across Europe. The event’s organisers have managed to broaden fundraising for drivers who want to stay in the UK with its spinoff Mile of Mini event, too, which raises funds for Buttle UK, a charity that supports young people in crisis.
Ray Newell – Morris Minor Owners’ Club
Our judges agreed unanimously that this stalwart of the Morris Minor Owners’ Club, who recently s
