OUT AND ABOUT SO FAR
LAST OUTING
The last outing for my Cortina was 3 days at the NEC on the Cortina MKI club stand at the Classic Car Show in November. I drove down on the Thursday on a nice sunny day, the end of the year was much better than the summer we had. I arrived to a nearly empty Hall 4 but soon found the four tiny marks on the floor where the stand was going. By the time I had finished polishing my car the club committee had arrived, and all afternoon was taken up with building our 4 car stand. We only had space 10 metre by 7 metres so there was not a lot of space to spare.
Three of our four cars were past Club Supreme Champions, mine in 2004; a woody estate in 2006, and a Zetec engine Lotus look-a-like in 2007. I was nearly first into the hall on all three days, so got a good look around before the public were let in. The Saturday was packed. I have never seen so many people in all the years I have been going. The MPH 07 show was in Hall 5, and you could go from one show to the other for no charge.
It was full of super cars, and the Top Gear crew live show. I was kept busy for three days talking to the public about our Cortina's. I only saw one club member, and that was Jonathan – if I missed anybody I am sorry about that. All too soon it was 5.30 pm, the stand was quickly taken down, and by the time the doors were opened we were ready for the ride home in the dark. The Zetec Cortina is from Glasgow, and we travelled back together, only one problem when he ran out of petrol on Hilton Park services slip road. However, we were soon on our way, getting home at 10.30 pm. After three enjoyable days at the NEC the Cortina club even paid my expenses, although it was not enough to cover my hotel bill – but every
little helps.
I ordered some floor tiles for my garage at the show, and they were put down the following week. The air chamber was put up, and the Cortina was put away for a well-deserved rest. I went to 25 shows in 2007 covering 5,000 miles and winning my fair share of awards.
As I write this it is nearly time to see what 2008 will bring, so will see
you out and about.
Keep it shining!
Jim.
