Category: General

Car Show Call Out

Last weekend we were promised a another bright sunny day at Stonham Barns for another car show. This time is was just for American cars and always surprises me on the numbers that turn up. There was a clash of other shows on the same day, so it would be a choice of shows for most people.

As it was an early start the night before I had already uncovered the car and unplugged the battery’s trickle charger. I placed the cool bag in the trunk which was primarily full of cold drinks, closed it and jumped into the car. Sunglasses on at eight in the morning was a bit of novelty, but a welcome one it has to be said. The drive to Stonham was one of the best yet on the way there; not much traffic and nobody tailgating me as I set my own pace and just enjoyed my drive. There was a newer Mustang that went passed me at a rate of notes with a Pontiac following close behind, we exchanged the obligatory wave and continued on. Stonham also has a car boot sale on most Sunday mornings, so there is always a little bit of a queue to get in. Not this time as I almost drove straight in without stopping.

Once through the entrance I was directed to the hard standing area of the field where the Mustangs would be parked. I turned up and parked next to Racoon Red ’65 Fastback with two older gentlemen setting up their chairs. I gave my car a little wipe down with some quick detailer to remove the road I had accumulated on the way to the show. As I was finishing up and taking the first couple pictures of the day, a much newer style red S197 Mustang parked up the other side of me. Cars were now arriving in thick and fast just half an hour before the public was allowed into the event. It was going to be a good day.

I decided to sit in my new chair, have a cold drink and watch the cars park up and perform the rituals I had just finished. I need to get some pics so I started a wander round as the public were allowed in as pretty much all the cars were now in place.

There was quite a few truck at the show so I thought I would group them together for this gallery.

Back to the cars at this point I wandered into the dark side of the Chevy guys with the odd Dodge thrown into the mix. Only joking, Some real nice cars in their own little area like the Mustangs.

There was some more Mustang owners parked up that didn’t want to come and play with the rest of us and parked the other side of the main ring.

The rest of the cars that I liked the look of.

Can somebody explain this to me please?

There was four cars which I spotted and in my opinion, shouldn’t have been there. Yes they can turn up where they want, but surely they should have been turned away from an “Americana Show” by the show’s marshals! German cars, a standard VW Golf with a set of wheels on it and a bog standard BMW Z3.

The Triumph Stag is British classic, and they have V8’s under the hood, this one looks to have some thing nice under there, but I couldn’t be sure. Most of the time they had the Triumph engine, occasionally they were swapped out for a Rover V8. Did this Stag have some American iron under there, I wanted to find the owner and ask, but sadly I couldn’t find them. Besides, I like Stags.

Then there is this example below. A new Volvo that hadn’t even been cleaned. Why on earth this was deemed as acceptable I have no idea. Perhaps he got lost on the way to the general public car park? The owner was quite happy sitting in his deckchair looking pleased with himself. Yes, it’s a nice car and all that, but I can and often do see a car park full of them at the local supermarket. There was plenty of space for all the cars, but this car is not American and it certainly didn’t belong there on the day.

Am I being too harsh?

It was another great day out with lots of fabulous sunshine, although there was the odd cloud that turned up to spoil the day! 😉

I met some really nice people, my new chair was comfortable and I managed to chilled out in it for a few hours while looking at the back of my car. I even had an ice cream and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I left a little early to avoid the inevitable line of cars trying to leave at the end of the show. I managed to drive straight out of the venue this time and had a perfectly chilled cruise home. Awesome day out.

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Culford Classic Car Show 2022

Sunday 10th July was a show that I look forward to each year which is held at Culford in Suffolk. The venue is held within the Culford School grounds. This prestigious private school warrants full boarding fees in excess of £30k a year. This is a stunning school and from what I understand, wants for nothing.

The school opens their grounds once a year to allow a car show in aid of various charities. The show is well organised and always booked up well in advance.

On the day of the show the sun was out bright and early so I packed plenty of cold drinks in the cooler bag. The drive there was tranquil and I saw lots of cars on their way and for some reason we all seemed to wave or acknowledge each other, perhaps it was the sun that put everybody in a good mood. I certainly wasn’t going to complain at that. I arrived early at the school main gates just after eight. The Bury Retro Car Club had set up their area with a flag. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see the flag at the time when the marshal asked me where I was going. He tried to tell me to park my Mustang on the Ford Capri stand, I just agreed with him and ignored him heading for area “C” where the club was supposed to be. I found them pretty much straight away and looked for a place to park amongst the allocated spaces. I had a choice, in the shade under a huge tree, or in the sun. Although the tree option would be great, it took me a fair while to remove the tree sap from the last tree I was parked under. Reluctantly I parked up and the factor fifty sun cream was applied even at that early time of the day before I started the gentle wipe over of my car to remove the road dust.

During the day I took over four hundred photos, but I whittled it down to just under a couple of hundred on this post. I take my pictures on my phone which is now a Samsung S22 Ultra.The photos are normally spot on, but with the bright sun, reflections, contrast and exposures etc. I did the best I could to make them presentable.

There was a great selection of cars, some of which I have photographed a few times before. The first batch of cars are starting with the club stand or area.

I wandered around in no particular order aimlessly taking pictures enjoying the sun and cars.

Although there were Mustangs scattered around all over the show, I collated them here.

There was a section near the school of super cars so I have grouped those together as well. Although the Lamborghinis weren’t in the line of Ferraris, I added them in, just because I can.