Belle Vue Manchester. [Archive]

BRIT DIGGER

24-11-08, 06:38 PM

unfortunatly ive only got distant memories of this show, its what first got me revved up about hotrods/customs.
we used to see a lot of cars on the way into the show, passing our house on princess road that leads into manchester, then after we would stand around the show hall and watch them come out..... amazing!.
surely this show must be worthy of a part in UK rodding history.... of course it is.. :).

Sid.

stever

29-11-08, 07:24 PM

still got some show programes in the loft
3 from belle vue and 1 from the high performance motor show in manchester march 26/27
1966 organised by the northern division of the bhra..

steve r

englishedsel

29-11-08, 07:35 PM

I used to bunk of school and get the bus to the show on friday and blag my way in to help exhibitors wash and then push their cars into the halls. Occasionally you got a complimentry free entry ticket. I attended every show. (if my memory serves me right I think there was either 7 or 9 alltogether.) and prize giving used to take forever because there was so many catergories.
As for being "part of Rodding history" it was the place to exhibit along with "Ally Pally" and the Rex Centre in Birmingham.
A few pics from Belle Vue..

Ian Beddoes "Iron Horse" toyota High Ace van. This used to double up as the works delivery van for their electric goods shop.

http://images46.fotki.com/v1392/photos/1/1290792/6670388/img002-vi.jpg

Not sure on the next two but think the bottom one was Brian Lucas's 32 roadster?

http://images48.fotki.com/v1408/photos/1/1290792/6670388/img001-vi.jpg

http://images44.fotki.com/v1418/photos/1/1290792/6670388/img004-vi.jpg

Have got a dvd from one of the shows. It was an old cine film that has been transferred onto DVD. There was a rumour that a lot of old film had been found from the shows and was going to be put out on DVD but havn't heard anything since. Maybe Holmsey might know.

WagonMan

30-11-08, 08:11 AM

..... but think the bottom one was Brian Lucas's 32 roadster?

http://images44.fotki.com/v1418/photos/1/1290792/6670388/img004-vi.jpg

That's Derek Chapman's roadster, now owned by Original Mick on here.

edd brown

30-11-08, 10:34 AM

i was at bellvue ,,,with biffo has any one got any photos ,,,,,,,edd

mopar_mark

30-11-08, 10:47 AM

i was at bellvue ,,,with biffo has any one got any photos ,,,,,,,edd
No photos, but I was @ bellvue with Barry Cox (Gone in 60 secs)
What was the name of the hotel we stayed at, Post house or something like that. I remember climbing around the outside hotel balconies going from room to room, we were on the 5th floor trying to get into some ones room.

pedalcarjoe

30-11-08, 10:55 AM

Belle Vue , oh happy days :)

it probably started me on all my daft car ideas ,

has anyone got any pics of the Custom milkfloat that used to be on display at Belle Vue, had two milkchurns behind the cab , one possibly used as the petrol tank .

would love to see pics of that again

BaronVonVVankel

30-11-08, 11:37 AM

has anyone got any pics of the Custom milkfloat that used to be on display at Belle Vue, had two milkchurns behind the cab , one possibly used as the petrol tank .
would love to see pics of that again

This one? (i think there may have been two of them)...
(photo not taken at Belle Vue)

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn244/BaronVonVVankel/V8Milkfloat.jpg

evil57

30-11-08, 11:52 AM

Wasn't there an interview with Roger Attaway in CC a couple of years back? Talk of him producing a book about his time organising the show ..

mopar_mark

30-11-08, 02:58 PM

,has anyone got any pics of the Custom milkfloat that used to be on display at Belle Vue, had two milkchurns behind the cab , one possibly used as the petrol tank .

would love to see pics of that again

Pasteurised Express

fatrod

30-11-08, 09:44 PM

I don't remember but I must have been there as I have just found this!

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr290/hemiducekid/Old%20Car%20Shows/BelleVueManchester.jpg

WagonMan

30-11-08, 10:44 PM

http://images44.fotki.com/v1418/photos/1/1290792/6670388/img004-vi.jpg

Just found this pic of Derek Chapman's Roadster while looking for something else. It was in an old R&C and could have been from Belle Vue.

http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/32984/2463210070067675115S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2463210070067675115XPBzCe)

The Pop Shop

30-11-08, 11:46 PM

Yellow Pop 922 FVW is my old beast!
Used to be Vanilla Olay back in late 70's
Later painted Red with gold and silver graphics, (about 84 ish).

I painted it yellow, three days before the Belle Vue show, and was still putting trim back on, and "adjusting" the wings, at every Motorway Service Stop on the way up there.

Last seen heading towards Colchester on a trailer in 2000.

Does anyone know where it is now?

Belle Vue shows were classic!!!!
I remember going for a meal with The Essex Popular Front gang in a nice restaurant and meeting up with possibly the Riverside Cruisers(?). Evening ended in a giant food fight and everyone having to leave a rather large tip!!!!
Also remember the "Customised Bum" competition at the disco.
My artwork came second, (nice flame job on each cheek), but we lost out on first place due to my model being extremely rude, crude, and stoned. I think we may have upset the judges somewhat.......

Ron
www.thepopshop.org.uk (http://www.thepopshop.org.uk)

Dix

01-12-08, 12:18 AM

Rodger Attaway and his wife Corrine, two of the main organisers of the Belle-Vue shows are a long standing friends of mine.
Although I didn't know them whilst they ran the Manachester Custom Shows, I have spent many a night chatting about those days.
Rodge has a DVD called Motor-vation about those days.
I could see if he has any left for sale if anyone is interested.
I have one.
Rodge was even threatening to produce a book some time ago.
Has anyone got any (polite) questions that they would like to ask of Rodger or Corrine?

Cheers
Dik

pedalcarjoe

01-12-08, 10:56 AM

Pasteurised Express

thats the one ( I think ) anyone got any pics of it ;)

englishedsel

02-12-08, 02:11 PM

The other milk float belonged to Dave Cassidy a member of Rainy City Cruisers of which I am a member. (and yes they are still going). Had a mid mounted Rover V8. Derek Gibson eventually put doors on it and repainted it. He still has it today although it doesn't get used much.
I have a copy of the Motorvation DVD. Does anyone remember the film that was made at one of the Sat night do's (I think) where they drove a Pop into the hall and did a burnout. It was shown before the "Car Wash" movie in certain cinema's. I have a pic of it somewhere, will dig it out and post it up. I remember the food fight got covered in cake or trifle, well it had cream in it. Happy Days!!

The book would make for some great memory invoking reading I think.

Shedster

02-12-08, 07:44 PM

Wasn't there an interview with Roger Attaway in CC a couple of years back? Talk of him producing a book about his time organising the show ..

I believe the book's still an ongoing project - last I heard he was still tracking down material. Knowing Rodge he'll do his damndest to make it eventually happen.....

Shedster

02-12-08, 07:48 PM

No photos, but I was @ bellvue with Barry Cox (Gone in 60 secs)
What was the name of the hotel we stayed at, Post house or something like that. I remember climbing around the outside hotel balconies going from room to room, we were on the 5th floor trying to get into some ones room.

Were you with us then or on a separate adventure...? They always stuck us at the far end of the top floor, cos we had two rooms and about twenty people... We pulled the matresses off the beds to make more sleeping space, and fried eggs on a primus stove cos we couldnt afford to go in the restaurant. If I remember the ledges between the windows were about 9 inches wide, but on a slope, so you had to be either very brave or very wasted to make the journey along the outside. Was a helluva buzz when you made it into the next room along though... :-)

englishedsel

02-12-08, 08:27 PM

The Post House Hotel is still there ..called the Northendon Hotel now though.

edd brown

02-12-08, 08:42 PM

mark ican remember something about a sheded wheat eating competition
at bellvue,,,,,im shure it was you that won you beet me by a box
barry was there too ,,,,,,,edd

Battersea Boys

03-12-08, 10:51 AM

Does anyone have any pics of Graham Knotts Humber?

He still has it - it's mint! Never turns a wheel these days!

Shakespeare

07-12-08, 12:04 PM

The only item I can find as a contribution to this thread is the 1977 Show Guide. Fabulous show even though the surroundings at the time all forties or fifties like. I can still remember when the stadium and show venue was there that progress was about to start with broaded up houses being made ready for demolistion. We also had to wait in a que to get in up some back lane of the stadium. Promotional girls were handing out free copies of International Rod & Custom magazine. No wonder it only lasted one issue! In the cinema they were showing films; 'Vroom' and 'Cruisin' courtesy of Valvoline Oil and Universal Pictures.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r304/muddytalker/scan0001-14.jpg

Holmsey

07-12-08, 04:31 PM

Just found this photo from the 1st or 2nd Belle Vue show. It shows Small Fry complete with ad for posters of it for 50p.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e155/HolmseyD/small-fry.jpg

And an unused Fluorescent window sticker for the 2nd show in 77, not worth a carrot but good to see again.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e155/HolmseyD/advert.jpg

cross spring

07-12-08, 05:19 PM

belle vue shows went to em all when i was a kid ,them and the drag racing with dikky davis on world of sport is what got me hooked on this crazy shiit

englishedsel

08-12-08, 10:48 AM

Holmsey do you remember these ..An original club window sticker..still got mine from those days..and still a proud member of the club.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i121/englishedsel/OriginalRainyCitycruisersSticker.jpg

Holmsey

08-12-08, 05:36 PM

Hi Chris, no I cant remember them, what a cool sticker.
I didn't realise Rainy City where still in existence, how many get to the meets and where do you meet, I would like to go sometime.

englishedsel

08-12-08, 08:15 PM

pikko

08-12-08, 08:42 PM

Captain Scarlet

08-12-08, 08:56 PM

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa202/ijarm/jokey%20stuff/POPS/plumcrazybellevue78.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa202/ijarm/jokey%20stuff/POPS/purehellbellevue78-1.jpg

And 'Pure Hell' ,now dead i believe someone on here said they cut it up.

I have some more somewhere i will have to scan.

40Stude

08-12-08, 09:20 PM

A couple of old shots of mine from '78 (I think).......

http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/42270/2769746990103250188S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2769746990103250188XDyYHh)

http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/42110/2067634310103250188S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2067634310103250188kCWXIb)

That's Street Oddessey on the Mid England Roadsters stand, when owned by Andy Wragg, being kept company by fellow club members, Geoff Robson with the blue 4.5 litre Daimler engined Pop, named Rainbow Chaser (note the Deuce grille shell 'show card', lettered by a certain Violent Veg of this parish) and Dave Murray with his Rover engined 'Transylvania" Transit van (that strangely enough ended up with the original rear wheels from the Boston Strangler T, when Terry Richards revamped it!)

pikko

08-12-08, 09:31 PM

Isn't that the other Pop that you done that photo shoot with along with mine for Rod and Custom mag in '78 Alan? Didn't somebody say (It may have been you or the Oracle of all things Pop, Mr Armstrong??) thats its still around but in storage?

Captain Scarlet

08-12-08, 10:10 PM

Hi Lee ,'Rainbow Chaser' Pop is missing in action ,presumed dead,yet to be confirmed either way.It has at least lost its id tags.
General Montgomery

40Stude

09-12-08, 09:14 AM

Hi Lee ,'Rainbow Chaser' Pop is missing in action ,presumed dead,yet to be confirmed either way.It has at least lost its id tags.
General Montgomery

Sad to say Ian is right, It was in storage up to a few years ago, the Daimler and the steel louvered bonnet long gone. Where it went after that no one seems to know.

1960Zody

09-12-08, 09:29 AM

Not many go to the meets but they did meet at the Holdsworth Arms ,Reddish near Stockport. We mainly phone up before a show/meet etc and meet up there.
Probably around half a dozen members nowadays. Some of them go to the Cheshire Lounge cruise/meet. Like I said we more often than not meet socially nowadays.

Had that sticker since the "York Street Cruise "days in the mid seventies.

met up with a guy from the early days of RCC a couple of years back when I bought some Hot Rod mags from him.
Can't remember his name, but he lives on what looked like a National Trust place (Or at least a big farm thing with a country house on it) outside Stockport.

Restoring an E-Type now.

Spent an unintentional couple of hours drinking coffee while he regailed me with stories.

Happydaze

09-12-08, 06:02 PM

I was but a spooty yoof back then but visited as a punter on a number of occasions. Got some pics somewhere. But the most enduring memories i have of it were the sheer numbers of people in the place. 1/2 mile queue down the road to get in. Go at the 'wrong' time and it was like being down the front at a gig, without the ****ing, vomiting etc, well mostly ;):D. Absoultely ram packed such that you went where the crowd took you. Crazy times :D.

Chris

stever

09-12-08, 06:55 PM

englishedsel
have you seen the holdsworth now its like a scouse advent calender
all the windows and doors have shutters on..

steve r

mikeyboy

09-12-08, 07:22 PM

Just found this pic of Derek Chapman's Roadster while looking for something else. It was in an old R&C and could have been from Belle Vue.

http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/32984/2463210070067675115S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2463210070067675115XPBzCe)

Has it got a 32 grille shell on it now?

kevfromwales

09-12-08, 08:11 PM

Has it got a 32 grille shell on it now?

I know where it's ^^^ chassis is right now....

- kev

40Stude

09-12-08, 08:50 PM

I know where it's ^^^ chassis is right now....

- kev

As for the Deuce grille question, I take it we can consider that a no?

Shakespeare

13-12-08, 02:29 PM

40Stude

13-12-08, 03:50 PM

Just found this in my Bingley Hall folder, the original hand out for the seventh and last Belle Vue Rod & Custom Show in 1982. Any well know cars on there!

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r304/muddytalker/scan0020-12.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r304/muddytalker/scan0021-12.jpg

Well for starters I can see Speed Freak, the Boston Strangler T and John Barr's Rhapsody in Blue Capri. Isn't the T tourer one of Ray Christopher's creations? The Pinto looks familiar but I can't put a name to it, Des Taylor's methinks.

Shakespeare

13-12-08, 04:46 PM

Des Taylor is the correct answer.

englishedsel

13-12-08, 06:41 PM

englishedsel
have you seen the holdsworth now its like a scouse advent calender
all the windows and doors have shutters on..

steve r

Not been to the Holdsworth for a couple of years Steve, never seemed to get the chance due to work. But have heard that the place has gone downhill a bit, but haven't most pubs these days.

296moon

13-12-08, 07:02 PM

Could anyone remind me when I was there with Lemon Squash and are their any photos of it?, as Ive lost all my photos from back then.

stever

13-12-08, 08:31 PM

chris the holdsworth was not very nice to start with..

wasnt there a couple of shows after called world of wheels and the last custom show
i have the programes in the loft will look for them to see what dates are on them.

steve r

doorslammer

25-01-09, 01:50 PM

A lot of nostalgia in this thread for me as I was involved in all the Belle Vue shows.

I still have the special black stewards jacket from the last show and also the sweat shirt (how sad :D)

That Rainy City Cruisers sticker also brings back memories, ah those wet nights circling York Street ;)

Can't remember what I was driving at the time, nothing costomised, but I think a Mk1 Cortina GT.

Lost touch with Roger and Graham (sp?) soon after the end of the shows.

It's nice to see some are still actively customizing and rodding.

Dave

Nads

25-01-09, 02:36 PM

This one? (i think there may have been two of them)...
(photo not taken at Belle Vue)

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn244/BaronVonVVankel/V8Milkfloat.jpg
It was actually called Pastyereyes Express.
I went to the first four Belle Vues, I bought my Superior chrome slots for my 1970 Austin Healey Sprite from there, back ones only, mind you, that's all I could afford.
I have a copy of a magazine that was being sold at the show, people paid for the subscriptions but it folded or the publishers simply ripped people off.

SG57

25-01-09, 06:37 PM

I was at the first Manchester Show with my '33 Plymouth Coupe. I think it was a club stand ( Leicester Rod Club? ) as I was sharing it with Terry Riddle's 'T' and The late great Mick Cooke's Camaro RS/SS. Eveyone got a pink penant with tassels, i've still got mine. I did the second with a Drag Bike, didn't that end in a bomb scare?

SJB

25-01-09, 08:07 PM

silversurfer

01-02-09, 07:09 PM

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c223/wooliesurfer/tmp1A.jpg

Santa Fe Bri

01-02-09, 10:47 PM

Here`s a couple of old pics from Manchester.......Bri

evilzee28

02-02-09, 10:45 AM

I wonder who won the Pinto and what happened to it?

Didn't Terry Ross, that was into model making ( Small Talk in Street Machine?) win it?. Originally the car had Des Taylors name written down the whole side of it. Apparently when he took it to be sign written he said he wanted his name on the doors, as in just under the window ala race car, but the guy misunderstood what he said hence the huge lettering down the whole sides.:D. I owned a company called Autocraft at the time & we sponsored Des with a Nitrous kit ( we were one of the first to sell them in this country beside Bob Hatton) & as a thankyou he put our name on either side of his snorkel hood scoop. (which made it onto the front cover of Street Machine). He later ran it as the Revell Rebel & then it was given away in a competition. hth.;).

Epy

02-02-09, 08:46 PM

Your old 34 eh Bri....bet you wish you had it now......I do

Santa Fe Bri

02-02-09, 09:09 PM

Your old 34 eh Bri....bet you wish you had it now......I doHey Chris you won`t believe this but I would rather have my old 35 Truck back, I sure regret selling it. Hopfully I will have another one real soon. Say Hi to Julie for me............Cheer`s Bri....:D