TV restoration experts bring skills to Practical Classics Classic car & Restoration Show 2025

First up is the ‘Born Mechanic’ Ant Anstead, renowned for his amazing restoration and fabrication skills which have never been more apparent than on his latest show Ant Anstead Born Mechanic. He’s also appeared on Wheeler Dealers, Master Mechanic, and Celebrity IOU Joyride.

Ant’s incredible passion for design and engineering has no bounds, something he shares with his latest on-screen ‘sidekick’ Darren Collins. Often seen at shows with Ant as they promote the Tipo 184 kit car, Darren is an exceptional mechanic who has been restoring and building cars from the age of 14.

Darren designs, engineers, restores and builds cars, building a private collection currently at 17 classic cars along the way. Darren has co-written Haynes Manuals and has been behind the scenes on many Film & TV shows including James Bond Tomorrow Never Dies, Nanny McPhee & the Big Bang, Foyles War, For the Love of Cars, Drew Scott’s Dream Car, James May’s Toy Stories, and Top Gear.

They are joined by another avid car collector Paul Cowland, best known for restoring vehicles with Drew Pritchard on Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars. With a collection of vehicles that nears three figures, Paul’s eclectic taste for retro motoring and extensive knowledge will be available for visitors to tap into over the three-day ‘Resto Fest!’

After his debut in 2024, the organisers are delighted to welcome back Dominic Chinea from BBC’s The Repair Shop, who will be appearing on Saturday. Dom is an advocate of heritage crafts, and his passions include restoring anything with wheels including his barn find Porsche 356 and Triumph Tiger 90, which you can follow on his YouTube channel. He is the proud owner of Ranalah Ltd and has started manufacturing this English wheeling machine again determined to celebrate all the history the company has been involved with.

You can see all our TV motoring experts on the Your Shout Stage and in the Restoration Workshop, delivering insights and entertainment for visitors. They will be joined by more experts as well as more guests still to be announced.

With the UK’s largest indoor spring autojumble, 250 specialist traders, and a Classic Car Auctions sale featuring around 200 remarkable vehicles, this is a must-visit event for any motoring enthusiast. The Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show is held 21-23 March 2025 at Birmingham’s NEC with tickets now on sale.