BANDIT IN
BIRMINGHAM: UK Classic Motor Show 2005
by Chris Dunnett, overseas correspondent
Birmingham, UK: The rumble of pampered engines, smell of gasoline and gleam
of paint and chrome permeated the National Exhibition Center (NEC) in
Birmingham for the 2005 Classic Motor Show (www.necclassicmotorshow.com).
The cavernous exhibit halls of the NEC were packed with upwards of one
thousand of the finest classic cars in Britain for this preeminent indoor
show wrapping up the season. There was something for everybody on offer.
From pre-war behemoths, to tiny classic Minis and Sunbeam roadsters. From
the utilitarian VW camper busses, to a corral of gull-wing Lamborghini
Countach 80s dream cars. And yes friends, while British and European marques
dominated, there was a healthy and popular showing of American Muscle.
Born in the U.S.A.
The Yankee contingent reflected the diversity of the overall show, offering
up some less often seen at the local cruise night rides. Three shining
Edsels, one a stunning yellow drop-top with tasteful mods, made a bold
statement for American “heavy iron.” For the Mopar fans there was a long and
lovely Petty blue Superbird casting its winged tail over the show floor, as
well as a Plum Crazy Purple ‘Cuda of the non-Hemi variety.
The Blue Oval was the most pervasive U.S. marque at the show given Ford’s
long history of European manufacturing. Sprinkled through the UK display
areas were a bevy of Euro-Falcons, Capris, etc. The Brits have also fallen
hard for the 2005 retro Mustang, with dealers selling them at about the same
price in Pounds Sterling as they go for in dollars. A tidy profit, given the
almost 2 dollars per Pound exchange rate. Older ponies were also galloping
about. Two of the finer examples were a 1966 Shelby 350 GT-H model that
Hertz used to actually rent, and a glimmering 1971 Mach 1.
For red arrowhead guys like me there were a selected few treats. The best
Poncho on offer was a beautifully restored, and richly rewarded, 1972 LeMans
Sport coupe. Despite the Bow Tie styling evoked by the stripes and Crager
S/S wheels, this was a lovely car in which the owner has obviously invested
serious effort and coin. Also black and beautiful was a very clean 1972
Formula 350 that was also deserving of its displayed trophies. For third-gen
T/A buffs there was also a 1982 Trans Am hiding the shame of its 305 c.i.
Chevy engine with the best hand-painted Screaming Chicken I have ever seen.
And in a country where Knight Rider reruns still show in prime time, there
was, of course, also a K.I.T.T. replica among a group of “Star Cars” that
also included the General Lee and one of two Starsky and Hutch Torinos. And
speaking of Star Cars…
Blimey!! It’s the Bandit!!
In the proud culmination of careful training and indoctrination, it was my
wife who first spotted the legendary beast. “Look! there’s a Bandit!” she
said with endearing glee. And there it was. Perched in a rightful place of
honor in a show of over 1,000 cars, the Bandit was in a group of 10 for
which show goers could vote for their favorite dream car. Our brutish, but
graceful, chosen one was in the running against the likes of Ferrari. While
to the trained eye the ’77 T/A sporting the S/E stripes was clearly of the
clone variety, it nevertheless inspired pride to stand back and watch the
size and enthusiasm of the throng gathered around “our” car, forsaking for a
time the likes of the exotic Ford GT and stable of Ferraris sitting but feet
away. This Bandit was a worthy representation of the Legend, with an
aggressive stance, gleaming paint, accurate external S/E detailing and
inviting Carmel Tan custom vinyl interior. The posted information stated
that a 220hp (W72) 400 was mated to the automatic gearbox. Owner Steve
Martin (no, not that wild and crazy guy) of Star Car Hire (www.starcarhire.co.uk)
said it well on his signage: “It’s Cool Because...Burt Reynolds Jumped a
River in One.”
For the “Bandit” aficionado
there was one final treat. On display in another part of the venue was a
classic Formula One racer decked out in the John Player Special black and
gold colors that were the inspiration for the color scheme Pontiac rolled
out at the 1974 Chicago Auto Show, and later so memorably applied to the LE,
S/E cars that we love. It was a rare treat to see this part of automotive
and Bandit history up close. I hope that the photos will be of interest and use to other LE, S/E fans in documenting the
evolution of these cars.
With the show season now ended and the classic rides on this side of the
Atlantic also now put to bed for the winter, your London correspondent looks
forward to bringing you coverage of the vibrant UK American car show scene
come spring.
Cheers, Chris
