No, not the 90s Scottish band, but the state of the weather at The Warren Classic and Supercar Show on 23 September 2018.
The omens were not good the day before, as we set out the pitch and erected the event shelter under a grey sky cloaked in ominous, brooding, doom-laden clouds, made heavy with an endless supply of potential rain. Come show time, the said shelter became as popular as a pub serving free beer. Some clubs, like the Ford Mustang club elected to erect their shelters on the day – bad move!
Although we suffered a few no shows, we managed to field an impressive array of cars, with a pair of E Types, a brace of Mark 2’s, a 420 and an early XJ6, together with later examples of the marque including XJ6s, an XJS and an XJR. A smattering of XK8’s, an F type and an E Pace brought us bang up to date.
Upon arrival, not surprisingly, most members set up camp in the event shelter. It looks like an igloo and certainly felt it on this day.
Several hot beverages later, the time came to boldly go forth – I felt like saying “I may be some time” as I boldly went. Buffeted along, with the wind behind the brolly and lashed by rain, the first – and nearest – stop had to be the Evolution Marquee. Not many people inside, but they were serving Prosecco, as sampled by Julie and Marise.
Central to their display were two E Types: a coupe and a roadster. Both immaculate – you could probably eat your dinner from the coupe’s engine. It looked as if it had just been removed from a counter display at Tiffany’s. A beautiful restoration, but how much of the original was left? Probably more than the roaster which had been upgraded and modernised, particularly around the wind screen. If it did have a hood, it wouldn’t leak, I wager. If you can service the national debt of a small African nation, buying one shouldn’t be a problem.
Further down the field we spied a couple of Enzo’s keeping company with a La Ferrari (I think!) and Nick Mason’s 250 GTO, for which I believe he originally paid £86K all that time ago. And if Bugattis are your bag, opposite, in an ever increasing small lake, there sat three: a Chiron and two Veyrons. Squint and you can’t tell the difference.
Sticking with the supercar theme, further down the field two classic Lamborghini Urracos were parked together with a Gordon Keeble, an Alfa and an Iso something – not sure of that one.
Bond’s company car was there with its DB2/4 and 4 cousins. There was even the latest Zagato. Splendid!
To their left and further up the sparsely populated grass bank a few stateside machines were lined up for our delectation. The maroon Pierce Arrow with whitewalls stood out amongst the well turned-out examples. You simply don’t see many in Blighty.
It kept company with a white Caddy of early 60s vintage, a ’55 Bel Aire and a ’58 Buick Super often seen at Battlesbridge. If it’s speed that you are after, a rare Carroll Shelby Mustang – I think a GT 500 – in lime green made an appearance. One for Chris.
A very personable young lady invited me to join her in a new Citroen SUV – the best offer I received all day – but, with a classic DS on their stand, there was no real competition. Replacing the aging Traction Avant, it wowed everyone at launch in 1955 and is still a head turner now.
Whilst attendance was down compared to the previous year, there were a few unusual vehicles to see, including this Alvis Graber Special – one for Richard, I think. Probably based on the TD21, I believe they called it a TC108G? Help me out here, Mr Gibby.
Still, it wasn’t all cars, you know. There were also bits of them too. Did you all notice the sprinkling of E Type bonnets dotted about the place? Some more interesting than others.
The traders hosted some fine displays. Take Teddy’s Kitchens; they had a Formula 1 Ferrari on their stand which fired up its engine every hour or so. Brilliant sound, but not very suitable for a kitchen appliance. One trader selling “affordable classics” displayed the ex Steve and Carrol Perryman Daimler, yours for “around 20 grand”.
Next door was the H&H Auctions Stand. The main crowd puller here was a modified black E Type 4.2 of 1966 vintage and supplied new to Hugh Campbell, the 6th Earl of somewhere. It came with: a tuned engine, shark gill bonnet, Koni shocks, competition wheels and ….twin headlamps! Three examples were manufactured, in part by Abbey Panels and, apparently, William Lyons gave it his blessing – really? It looks like a Jenson CV8 from the front to me, and that is not a good thing.
The sun was supposed to break through and shine at 3.00 pm, according to the Weather app on my phone. Well, it was fifteen minutes early. It felt like a heat wave had hit the place and my fingers turned from blue to pink again and I regained the feeling in my toes.
All this was just in time for the promised fly past by the last flying Lancaster bomber in the country. It made three passes at about 250 feet. Very impressive. Catch up with the video; the sound it makes is unique.
Conclusion – great show, pity about the weather. Better luck next year.
We’ll leave it there. Our thanks go to Vaughan High for the organisation, the helpers who erected and dismantled the club stand and all those who braved the weather and turned up.
Neil Shanley
