Roadshow Reports

This was the first running of this event, we were delighted to be given a late invitation. It was held at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon. A fabulous location, it was great to be located amongst all those old cars. I use the word old somewhat cautiously as many of the vehicles on display were new when I first started driving!

The two that stood out were the Mini Cooper S 33 EJB, that Paddy Hopkirk and Henry Liddon drove and won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1963. I remember the car because in the mid 60’s I was working at an Austin distributor, we had just built a new showroom and BMC lent us the car for the opening. I was the lucky young salesman who reversed the car of the transporter and drove it to the cleaning bay and then into the showroom.

The second was the Austin Maxi, I remember the launch of that car, our demonstrator was in porcelain green, with that dreadful cable gearchange, it broke down on a regular basis. A shame as the concept, 5 door hatchback as was the Renault 16, were game changers at that time. If only the Maxi had been executed better. The mark 2 with the 1750 engine was a much better car. Anyway enough of me “bathing in a sea of nostalgia”.

I was only able to make half of day 1, but all of day2, I’m delighted to tell you that the show was well supported and that we were, again, very busy, best way to be!

We had number of members visit us, some, just to run their locos and others with the odd issue. I had one issue that I struggled with, it pains me to say that I asked for Chris’s help and he sorted it, I’ll never hear the end of it!

You’ll notice that currently there are no photos, I was too busy to take any, not true I just forgot! Chris will post some later, he has a computer glitch at the moment, also if anyone has any, please post them.

We hope to be able to go again next, if we do, don't miss it.

See you at Peterborough.

Maurice