Well, what a show and where to start. Once again, Bruce bartered for a great stand location. This year we decided to pay for the carpet in advance, this really made life easier for us, on Thursday we could focus our time on erecting another bespoke stand designed and built 'once again' by Bruce Beauchamp. (See pictures). Bruce erected his flat pack stand with the assistance of Will, Alan and George I was once again on car cleaning duties. This format seems to work well as by the time I had cleaned all 4 cars the stand was ready for the cars to be put in location.

On Friday, and pre 10.00 we had sold the Guards Red Middlebridge (No 69) and I can confirm it was with the new owner on Monday 14th November. There were also offers for the Gold Middlebridge No 33 including an open checkbook offer!! There was another offer made at lunchtime for the Guards red car, this offer was well above the current valuation price and the car was to be exported to Dubai to join a collection. Unfortunately, the offer could not be accepted because a deposit had already been taken at 10.00hrs that morning. Friday was as usual an incredibly full on day for me in part because every year as my Brother and his Wife fly in for the event and to spend time on the MB stand.

Saturday, another busy day and we were delighted to have Martin North and his father Greg on the stand, Martin is the long suffering Middlebridge webmaster. Hope we can keep him busy in 2023. Sunday, Khoji and Dennis Nursey were booked to come to the event and join us. It never ceases to amaze me how many people they know, once again we were treated to times past at Middlebridge and discussed briefly Middlebridge Engineering and Middlebridge Racing but we have parked these for the moment to do one last push on the Middlebridge Scimitar history. We look forward to meeting with Dennis and Khoji next year to bring this to fruition. Bruce, Will, Alan, George, Matt and I were kept very busy over the three days with the occasional lull, (thank God).

The cars on display were as follows.

Bruce's Porsche Blue car with a beautiful Leather interior that really attracted many admirers, Bruce was also asked if the car was for sale.

Guards Red MB, newly painted by Paul Turnball looked awesome, this car is John Cassingham's ex concours de-elegance winning car, she is in totally original condition and needless to say looked incredible on the stand.

Alan's Completely original Renault Electric Blue MB is a truly awesome survivor car, this car drew many people and shocked quite a few when they were told it was original and as she left the factory complete with 33-year-old paint.

Gold car, the crazy gold colour does seem to attract people, we do leave the bonnet raised as this clearly attracts / entices people to the stand, she also has a fully optioned factory interior. Some people were stunned at the paint condition for a car refinished in 2002, 20 years ago!! (Fingers crossed she will make 25 years). On the whole, a great stand & display that yielded some great results, roll on 2023.

It was also great to have several owners visit us on the stand for either general chin wagging which we're all goods at or to show us pictures of their restoration projects which I must say look awesome. We even teased one member to complete in a year by offering a space on the NEC stand for 2023.

NOTE: It was great to have some good banter and share cakes with our friends from the RSSOC during the event, it was easier this year as we were in the same hall.

Once again, it's the pictures that tell the story.

Many thanks go to Bruce, Will, Alan, George, Matt for manning the stand over the three days.

Mick.

Addendum: there is video footage of the Middlebridge and stand on you-tube, yet another little coo.