Drive It Day – Colchester Castle, 26th April 2015

With an occasional “click” instead of firing up the week before resulting in a new solenoid being fitted. This was the Heralds first outing for a while having not been used since the end of last year (having been too busy renovating house to get the old girl out).

A wet and cold Sunday morning saw us motoring along the A12 to Writtle College for the start of the CCVC ‘I Claudius’ Drive It Day run to Colchester Castle. A great turn out with around 300 cars, taking over a hour to send off for the sixty mile trip through Essex and Suffolk ending up at Colchester Castle. Where the cars lined up for a good show.

We came away with two rosettes – Christina won best dressed (to the age of your car) and the Herald Classic Car Weekly choice (who had earlier interviewed me and taken photos of us with the car). So, yes, a great day in spite of the weather.

Great looking VW Beetle
Good splattering of American muscle

 

Over 260 cars giving a great selection of classics and sports cars at Colchester Castle
Classic Car Weekly, fame at last
Classic Car Weekly, fame at last

South Suffolk Classic Run, 10th May 2015

Following what had been a rather rough week, weather-wise, we were glad to wake to the promise of some sunshine on Sunday morning. Although it was still a bit chilly first thing it was definitely going to be a top-down day! We arrived at Stonham Barns just after 8.30, signed in and collected the route, and just had time for a quick look around the car boot sale before setting off. The route was well laid out, reminding us what pretty villages exist in our counties of Suffolk and Norfolk. The first 15 miles took us to the HQ of the 100th Bomber Division where we were welcomed by volunteers dressed in American wartime costume with music of the period playing – not actually for the Classic Car drivers but for some American war veterans who were due to arrive later in the day. The panorama from the top of the control tower looked out over fields of rapeseed, with a diorama showing where the WW2 runway would have been.

The next stop was the Norfolk Tank Museum where we paused for refreshments and an interesting wander around (for some) and a ride on an all terrain vehicle.

The last leg of the route took us across the county (via Banham) to Ampton, and our destination, the South Suffolk Show. By now the sun was shining and we enjoyed a welcome picnic in the sunshine. The show provided plenty of entertainment with a variety of animals, side shows and a funfair. We even got ourselves a ride on the Ferris wheel. A great day out!

Stop off point at Norfolk Tank Museum Museum
Nice looking Peerless (based on TR3 running gear)
Views from the Ferris wheel  

North Norfolk Railway Vintage Transport Festival, 5th July 2015

First time to this classic car show. Spent the Saturday night in Sutton Bridge enabling us to pick up parents in the morning for the day out, so my usual passenger was replaced by Christina’s dad, who was quite happy to have the roof down until he realised how cold it was. Day before had been scorching. Sunday turned out to be colder and wetter. But managed to have a wander around the cars and get on a train to Sheringham for lunch before the rain started. Caught a bus back, had a look around the 60s market that was also there. Shame about the weather but it was a great show and being able to go off-site by train or bus made for a much more interesting day.

Nice looking VDub camper and trailer
Bus trip back from Sheringham
Vauxhall Viva convertible
Tatty looking Herald brought back some memories

 

Heveningham Wings and Wheels, 11th July 2015

Another first for this show and probably one of the more interesting shows with plenty to see. Arena events included knights jousting and a motocross display. With aeroplane acrobatics including wing walking it was certainly a show with a difference.

Although the weather was good, being the Saturday, numbers were low so not a vast selection of classics but then there wasn’t any queues for toilets or food.

Roof chopped Morris Minor
Nice looking MM convertible
Aeroplane field
Modified Ford Capri

 

Stonham Barns Classic Car Show, 16th August 2015

Third year in a row for this one. Got there in time to walk around the bootsale and then a wander around the cars with around 300 on display. Main ring display included dog agility, birds of prey and a procession of cars. Live band were good and helped while away the time. Good showing of Herald 1200s with four counted.

Classic 60's British fronts
Classic 60’s British fronts
Classic Yankee rear ends
Classic Yankee rear ends
Nice set of flames on this Yankee Chevy
Nice set of flames on this Yankee Chevy
Rear end of modified Capri spotted at Heveningham
Rear end of modified Capri spotted at Heveningham

Classic and Sports Cars by the Lake, 6th September 2015

A cold morning meant a chilly trip to the show with the roof down. Rest of the day turned out to be nice and sunny. With over 600 cars there was some really nice examples including a very nice Sunbeam parked next to me and a nice Herald Coupe I hadn’t seen before. Second year for this one and I’m beginning to realise I need more to do than just look at cars. There was a few amusements for kids but not much else although judging by the crowds it has become a very popular event. Good to catch up the a number of friends, all in all a good day.

Very nice Herald Coupe with nice subtle body mods
Very nice Herald Coupe with nice subtle body mods
cscsunbeam
Amazing rare Sunbeam
cscspecials
Lotus 7 look-a-like specials
cscmorgan
Three wheeler Morgan

TSSC Duxford, 13th September 2015

Been a few years since I’d been to this one. Met up with a couple of Stags and a TR for the trip along the A14. Roof down on a chilly Sunday morning. Thankfully the day got warmer as the day went on. Managed to fill the parking area with some really nice Triumphs. Spotted a Vitesse with a tow bar that might just work with my twin exhaust, so will we be caravanning next year?

Spitfire mk2 showing the same heritage as the Herald
Spitfire mk2 showing the same heritage as the Herald
Parking area filled up
Parking area filled up
Don't often see them but there was two hardtops the same as mine
Don’t often see them but there was two hardtops the same as mine
Nice looking Vitesse with some very shiny spokes
Nice looking Vitesse with some very shiny spokes

Totally Triumph, 18-20th September 2015

Three day event organised by a number of Triumph Clubs – Stag Owners, TR, TSSC and Club Triumph. Missed out on the Friday night meet and greet but made it up there on a nice sunny Saturday morning for a wander around the show field. Some really nice cars including a couple of Vitesses – one won best tin top and the other was runner-up best rag top. Good to see a couple of small chassis Triumphs doing so well with the number of Stags and TRs in attendance.

Staying over on the Saturday night meant we could go to the meal and dance at the Hermanus holiday park both of which were great.  

Sunday morning saw us waiting in the field in the sun for a run through the Norfolk/Suffolk countryside. With only a couple of wrong turns we ended up at Flixton Aviation Museum for a classic car show which included a fly-past be a Dakota. Amazing the feelings you get from seeing and hearing these old aircraft close up, very evocative.

Great time had, hopefully the turnout was enough to make it worthwhile organising again next year.

Good turn out for TRs
Good turn out for TRs

tt2

Stock car triumph Vitesse
Stock car triumph Vitesse
Posh tea break at the Tally Ho Tearoom
Posh tea break at the Tally Ho Tearoom