Lancia Beta Forum

Hi everybody
I'm delighted to confirm that we have again been successful in getting a stand at this year's Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show. I was beginning to get concerned as we normally hear in May, but notification only came through very recently.

It takes place at the NEC from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2015. This year we are in Hall 5 on Stand 5-868 and have been offered a place next to the LMC and the Monte Consortium who are back in the game after a one year sabbatical. Please come along to say hello and support us.

Now comes my usual annual appeal for cars to display and help to man the stand. I normally get enough exhibitor tickets to ensure that everyone who displays a car or who can help on the stand for a day gets in for free. I need your cars, either original or modified, so that we can prove to the visitors of the show just what a fantastic car the Beta was and still is! So if you have a car that is good enough to display, please get in touch. Cars need to arrive Thursday from midday till 5pm and then remain on the show stand till the close of the show at 4.30pm Sunday.

Call 0871 230 1088 to book tickets or online at www.necclassicmotorshow.com (http://www.necclassicmotorshow.com) For our Forum Members there is an exclusive advance ticket offer giving £5 off the Sat/Sun door price. Please use the discount code at the bottom of the advert I will post (shortly). Please note that the organisers of the Show have requested that we do not pass this discount code to anybody outside of this forum.

I will keep everyone updated on the stand as we head towards November.

Best wishes
John

Hi John, good  news of confirmation, RAC will be available as will I as I've booked time off work for the weekend. If you like, you can see the car after it's hibernation when I'm back from hols. Let me know if any  good for you.how big is the stand?
Franco

Promo offer:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3814/19639696819_a57a096e8d_c.jpg)

Floor plan:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/367/19205380943_babf1c5238_c.jpg)

Hi-Res copys
Hall 5 floor plan: https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3712/19204262084_f91c666580_o.jpg (https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3712/19204262084_f91c666580_o.jpg)
Show floor plan: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/328/19800705426_8427bc4041_o.jpg (https://farm1.staticflickr.com/328/19800705426_8427bc4041_o.jpg)
Promo offer: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/544/19800703376_29559cf0dc_o.jpg (https://farm1.staticflickr.com/544/19800703376_29559cf0dc_o.jpg)

Hi All

Well done John, after last years issue with the Monte Consortium, I did wonder if we might be next.

Happy to cover the stand on the Friday, sadly car is still a long way from being ready, maybe next year......

Franco's car would be a great one to have as it looks great and has an interesting story! The other car which would be interesting to have would be Stuart's Spyder to show what can be done to mod the Twin Cam unit and still leave it suitable for road use.

Can we get 3 cars on the stand?

I see we are next to Fiat and X1/9 clubs which is all rather appropriate.

Neil, any chance we can do away with the Berlin Wall between us and the LMC this year and have a more subtle border so that folk on the LMC stand can see us and vice versa? We could still manage a display board with photos etc, just not so tall and solid!

Peter

good news, of course I still have no car, one day maybe I will be able to offer it for display fingers crossed for next year (?). Not wanting to get too far ahead but on the point of next year I believe 2016 is 40 years of the Fiat twin cam a golden opportunity for a huge combined display of various clubs cars??

Happy to help out on any of the days - just let me know when you want me

The bodywork on Stuart's Spider isn't quite good enough - I don't want to spend the show having people point out the surface bubbling its got!

I appreciate the thought though.

I won't be involved with the NEC stand this year, but I'll ask the question. There has been a fair bit of grumbling about the stand allocated to the LMC I think.

I'm helping at the Manchester show this year instead and may be showing my car. That has been set up by the old NEC organiser I understand, and seems to be attracting some good press.

There seems to be a feeling that the NEC are cramming stuff in a bit?

Certainly there was plenty of space last year given to dealers selling (IMHO) some rather over-polished stock. Possible at the expense of the more interesting or unusual.

Thinking about it as I'm doing the bodywork on the car winter this year I might be up for having the engine on the stand though!

I understand the commercial side, but yes I too found the size of the traders area a bit overpowering.

Peter

Hi John

Do we have any plans yet as to what cars and who is setting up and manning the stand etc?

Thanks

Peter

Hi Peter
Just dropped you a line about helping out with the stand during set up and the Friday. Yes please!

As regards cars, we're struggling a bit. Could do with a few more owners being willing to show their cars. So far I've got a Coupe from Franco, and hopefully Brian's HPE assuming it passed its MoT!

Anybody else with a car to show, please let me know.

Cheers
John

A Spider would be the obvious other?

I know this is a longshot, but I still think some sort of updated engine would be an interesting option, just wondered if Darren's recent adventure could be mocked up as an exhibit?

Peter

My offer of an engine still stands as it's not going to be moving the car around for several months (bugger)

Transport and making sure nothing gets nicked are concerns though

I agree that one in a car would be a better bet!

Hi Stuart

I think a mockup engine would be a better bet, so not something for this year given the lack of time. If Darren is around at the show I will try to catch up with him and see if we can make up something for next year perhaps?

Peter

It passed my mind about my vx engine which is still stuck on an engine stand, but aside from the fact it isn't posh enough the logistics of getting it there and back seem well shall we say rather difficult especially getting it in and out of a van without damage.
 

Only 5 days to go and I think were good to go, the show organizers have made a change to the Lancia stands layout, and now have a smaller stand.
We are now the other side of a large door from the LMC.

We have 3 cars, Franco's Coupe, Brian Meakes HPE and also Jon Pickett's HPE
I'm in the process of printing name badges, anyone able to help out on the stand please let us know
Or if your jus attending please come over and say hello!

New lay out:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/647/22252148354_f393e158c2_b.jpg)

I'll see you on Saturday  - if I had the whole day I'd lend a hand but I'm in Liverpool in the morning looking at an Alfa GTV !

Tony

Great to hear you have it all sorted out. I am back with the Montecarlo Consortium now we have been allowed back in. I am sure I will be allowed off the stand for good behaviour  ;)

Cheers

Eric 

Not very likely knowing you lot.

Thrown off more likely......

Can't see me making this year I'm afraid. Busy on Friday and away at the weekend.

Hope it all goes well.

Mark

that must have been the busiest NEC Classic show that I've seen, all the lancia stands far too busy for me to speak to anyone nice cars on display  especially the red pre facelift coupe, seemed a less prominent spot than usual but as the whole show was so busy no doubt it wasn't an issue.

It was pretty lively wasn't it?

The show was made for me by the Aurelia Convertible the Midlands Auto Club had on their stand  - that thing was beautiful!

Seeing Chewbacca in a Bond Bug was slightly surreal though.

Yes that Aurelia was stunning I can't imagine it was that perfect even when new

For those not there:

Sorry about the over exposure - something about the NEC lights plays havoc with my camera

(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/HFStuart/WP_20151114_003a.jpg) (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/HFStuart/media/WP_20151114_003a.jpg.html)

These days I hardly ever bother with a 'proper' camera I find that for snaps my phone give better results


(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/IMG_20151114_104315.jpg)

(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/IMG_20151114_104332.jpg)

(http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww247/rossocorsa/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/IMG_20151114_104350.jpg)

Have to say that was one of the highlights of the show for me, sounds like Sat was busier than Friday which was okish on the Beta stand, but not that busy. It was pretty busy however in the main thoroughfares, glad I went and had a recce before the show opened, benefit of being an exhibitor and being allowed in when you want.

Peter

Any pictures of the Betaboyz stand?

Aside from the aurelia which was too nice and unusual I didn't really take any pictures myself it was generally too crowded. No doubt Tony will be along later with some though?

Hi Neil

I tried on my phone, but came out really rubbish, Tony should be able to oblige I would imagine, he was going to get in early Sat am before the show opened.

Peter

Popped in on Saturday to the show after a 5am start from Falmouth in a hire van on the way to collecting furniture from my parents near Derby. Great Betas on display and very nicely presented. Hopefully seeing them will give me more drive to complete mine!
Got a picture of the Coupe but unfortunately managed to cut the ends of the HPEs

Franco's coupe looks fantastic - is it a green interior like mine or the gold? Can't tell with the lovely colour-sapping NEC lighting.

Well done to all, just a shame I couldn't manage to get there myself this year.

Mark

Hi Mark

It is a gold colour.

Peter

Nice. Even I would have to admit to red and lime green as a little 'lively'

the Italians did use lively trim combos in the early to mid seventies I recall Alfasuds had some slightly colour blind inspired combinations.

Just recovered from the 4 days @ the NEC  :)
Quick thank you to John B for getting us the stand again :), also thanks to Franco, Jon, Brian and Lydia for displaying their cars, thanks to Peter for helping out on stand (much appreciated)

Although we were in the noisiest halls, thank you Wheeler Dealer, Bike wall of death and the Police Car Siren Club   ::)
Sorry we didn't get to chat Alan, I did see you but couldn't break conversation, you turned up at the busiest point of the whole weekend  ::)
 
Managed to get a few pics over the weekend, here's a small selection of Lancias from the show
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/716/23098959785_c45e1dff21_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5790/23073007806_08dd137f5d_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5637/23110339561_56959fc04e_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5702/23099112375_250b46faa6_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5634/22706882659_707259ff82_b.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/638/23099256665_5e729d14e4_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5719/23110518601_3c3b02a431_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5714/23110524231_7109c3bc5b_b.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/683/22706971609_c7f3f63520_b.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/639/23085550322_b2a790b549_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5803/22706981979_0f506cfb76_b.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/769/22680846698_15ca54a885_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5795/22706997379_0cb599947a_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5743/22680906358_63cde350ac_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5667/23099376035_b85d2a7304_b.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/657/22706829979_71dfdf89bb_b.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/578/23099139215_ac85e84821_b.jpg)

the full hi-res set can be seen here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tonysphotos/albums/72157661271919486 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tonysphotos/albums/72157661271919486)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tony.harrison.9250595/media_set?set=a.10153291571587825.1073741871.576052824&type=3&pnref=story (https://www.facebook.com/tony.harrison.9250595/media_set?set=a.10153291571587825.1073741871.576052824&type=3&pnref=story)

No worries Tony, never seen it so busy before! I'll try to help out another year and maybe I'll even get the vx on the stand if I can find time to get it finished!

Not just in the 70's  - I've just bought a green Alfa GTV (916 type) with blue carpets and cream leather!

Oh no, another gone to the Dark Side!

The stand looks a bit squashed in, you did well to get three cars on it!

Didn't feel squashed, was nice to be against the walls and not backing onto another stand. John and the guys did a great job of organising the weekend.