Classics in Thatcham

For a few years now at the start of October we’ve been heading down the A4 to Thatcham for the Classic & Sportscar show on the village green. Last year it was Lilys first show at the tender age of two weeks old. In the week building up to the show the word on Facebook was that Simon Taylor (he of Autosport and Goodwood Revival fame) would be there with the Stovebolt Special. An F2 racer turned road car that stared in the 1955 film “The Racers”, it was rebuilt as a 5lt V8 and has recently run at the Crystal Palace sprints. As we rolled in the green was already filling up with a variety of cars, at the front was The Special. As Lily was still snoozing in the Camper I took the opportunity to wander over for a chat and to get a photo of the car in action signed. Simon seemed to like the photo and a copy is now winging its way over to him!



Right, enough of the trumpet blowing and name dropping! We parked up by another old Camper and set off for a walk.



I had another close up look at the Stovebolt, its an amazing machine that makes a fantastic noise. Seemingly at home on track or bombing back to London down the M4





With a coffee date in town at 11am, we had a quick look round the cars already in before walking up to The Broadway to meet Kims friend for a cuppa. There was a car for everyone.











After our break we all walked back to find the rest of the green had filled up, around 200 vehicles were on offer.







Finally after being teased by it all week on my travels, the Goodyear blimp that’s currently stationed at White Waltham drifted by overhead.



This KTM X-Bow caused heads to turn as it slithered in, its occupants sporting crash helmets as the car lacks a screen or any other comforts!





We bumped into Mr Keeble out for the day in his new Beetle , as well as The Ludewigs and Badgers.





We also met up with Kims cousin, he has just finished restoring this stunning Stag, its due some rechroming over the winter and some interior work, but its out on the road and its another car nut in the family!



Stopping for lunch we made use of the Camper and relaxed inside for a bit. As ever we got a fair bit of attention, everyone has some connection to a Camper, they either owned one, holidayed in one or a friend owned one. This is cool, but it does make being near the van a bit drawn out answering all the questions, but I love it.





We decided as it was getting chilly and Lily was tired we’d have one last wander round before hitting the road. A fellow Camper owner parked up next to us, the difference between stock and lowered is evident, the dip under our van makes it look even more extreme!







And that was it, I took the opportunity to recreate the photo Kim took of us last year in front of the Camper, Lily was fast asleep at this point, but comparing to the two it shows what 12 months does!.



We cruised back along the A4, passing the Stovebolt Special that was parked in a layby, its owner donning racing overalls and goggles for the fast blast home, by the M4 it had caught up and shot passed in the fast lane at a rather spectacular speed, its V8 rumbling as it went. My co-pilot oblivious to it all.



The rest of the photos from a really enjoyable day out can be found here.

Steve.

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