Thanks to everybody who sent me messages from my last post(s) about the number of cars within the posts. The consensus was ‘the more the merrier’ so here is a fairly large post in one go. I have been a little busy with car shows and trying to catch up with posting about the shows, I can’t complain as this time last year I had only a couple visits to car shows. This post is about Stonham Barns which took place on the 15th August 2021. A free for all show where anything goes age wise and there is usually a good mix of cars and some car part stalls as well.
The weather was supposed to be dry, it didn’t look great, but at least it was dry. I left a bit later than normal and thought it would still give me plenty of time to get in. Wrong, I hit a queue to get in, I normally try to get to the shows early to avoid this very scenario.
After twenty minutes or so I eventually got in and had a cyclist who cut across the front of my car causing me to brake while he was going to the car boot sale which was in the adjacent field. As I had my window down this lycra clad clown started with “Am I holding you up?” I responded with an equally sarcastic; “Causing me to brake and avoid you then yes you are.” He started with some rambling rubbish which I couldn’t hear (I was so upset about that – not), as my engine was purring away. He did shout “nice penis extension” at me as he prepared to ride off. The cars were moving in front of me again, but I did pause to instantaneously shout back to him; “At least I don’t dress up to make myself look like a pr!ck”. The other people wandering into the car boot show started to laugh at him. I didn’t give him time to respond and moved away with a few revs on to drown him out. I enjoyed that, so funny 🤣 Classic Car Owner 1 – Cocky Cyclist 0.
Still chuckling away to myself I drove into the field and was directed around to the Bury Retro Car Club stand and parked up. Here we are all lined up.
It was a busy day with lots of cars and plenty to look at. So in no particular or I just wandered up and down the lines.
The weather was cloudy and sunny at alternating intervals all day, which is fine by me.
American, British, Japanese and German all together. The little Audi in this set was amazing and I just loved it.
I’m not sure what this truck is in the first picture but it was massive, and I liked it.
This Ford Escort isn’t my cup of tea, but the guy had spent plenty of time on it that’s for sure.
The white Vauxhall Cavalier in the first picture used to be a firm favourite with Sales Reps, almost disposable. Yet here we are 25 odd years later and it’s in a classic car show!
This proper old school Ford was just beautiful.
The weather started to turn with a little drizzle which didn’t last that long or even dampen the atmosphere.
I spent quite a long time speaking to this guy who only had the car for a little while. It came with a box full of sales receipts and invoices and not to mention a few boxes of spares too. I was surprised to see an I6 under the hood, but he says it cruises great and is such a smooth ride.
I reckon that the Custom, Galaxy and the Chevy must have been the biggest cars there.
I’ve lucky enough to drive the a Harley Truck, it was like sitting in my favourite chair at home, such a nice place to be.
A few fast Fords, 60’s Lotus Cortina and a Sierra Cosworth.
You just beat the fins on these American master pieces.
The stalls weren’t that bad either. I’m not sure what was going on with the screw on aftermarket exhaust tips, they are mounted horizontally as a rule, but like they say – rules are meant to be broken. I’m not that rule was though!
I eventually got back to my car for a well earned sit down and a sandwich. The Cortina GT parked up next to me was a nice example and the owners were thinking of selling it and had a few interested people ask about it.
And to finish up with some dogs I managed to grab a few pictures of.
A great show with lots of nice people to talk to. The weather held of and the drive home was nice and relaxed with no signs of self entitled cyclists to ruin my journey home.
What a great assortment of cars! That Volvo 1800 convertible is a rare beast; none of the convertibles are factory, they were all “chopped” by independents. Here in the States, it was one Volvo dealer in NY who specialized in building those conversions. That “massive” truck looks like a Chevy or GMC Suburban, basically the largest SUV they make, and even here they are considered massive.
Thanks for the info Richard. I have learned something new. I still can’t believe the size of that truck. 👍
Wow, what a fantastic car meeting. Congrats on that perfect answer to that cyclist. They just think because they are on a bicycle, they can do whatever they want in the traffic. For me, it is just an excuse to go around wearing Lycra.
😂 I shouldn’t have shrunk to his level, but there was no need for him to do it and he just wanted to cause problems. I secretly enjoyed it though. In the UK we have designated cycle paths, yet they still ride in the road, I think it should be an offence if they do that. This cyclist thing is a bit of a sore point with me for numerous reasons.
Two things:
1. Your retort to the Lycra-clad amateur cyclist absolutely nailed it.
2. You mentioned the comfort of the HD truck. Back in the 70’s I travelled around California and parts of Mexico in my Uncle’s Chevy truck. It was an eye-opener to me to see that the Americans didn’t treat their truck drivers as second-class citizens.
The Chevy was extremely comfortable, well-appointed (a courtesy light in the ashtray for instance) spacious and above all, quiet – the complete opposite of the Vauxhall Viva HA van my brother and I had. European van drivers and particularly their passengers, still suffer discomforts that should have long ago been addressed.
My experience of American and British training aircraft is much the same. The Stearman – spacious and comfy; the Tiger Moth – cramped and draughty. Both though are noisy.
I have a wartime copy of ‘Flight’ somewhere and in it is a letter from some idiot RAF Group Captain denouncing the comforts of the American trainers and suggesting that their pilots’ would fall asleep at the controls. I’ve never been in either a Lancaster or a Flying Fortress, but the latter would be my choice for an eight-hour mission.
I look forward to your show posts; I never go to them so I miss a lot of good stuff which you cover. Saying that, I always try and get to the Ufford White Lion do – this coming Saturday as it happens – but probably not your cup of tea.
Cheers!
Thanks for the detailed reply Nigel. I agree, the American equipment is just so much better for comfort. If you are driving 8 hours a day for a living, you need to be comfortable. If you are uncomfortable then you are distracted by it. We have a lot to learn from our friends over the pond.