During the summer months, it is no exaggeration to say that the automotive enthusiast is spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting events to attend and enjoy. True to my word, I did declare at the start of 2011 that I would try to sample some new ones as well as those which I have enjoyed in previous years, which is why I made the journey down the A37 and just over the Dorset county border to the grounds of Sherborne Castle to enjoy something which has been running for a number of years: Classics at the Castle. Sadly, the weather did its best to spoil things, with a lot of rain doubtless putting off some exhibitors as well as attendees, but even so I found plenty to interest for me for many an hour. The display was split into an area for Car Clubs, and a separate area of grass simply for the unaffiliated who brought along an interesting vehicle. Somehow, the organisers had done quite a good job at grouping the latter of the categories together by type. Parked up on hard-standing near the entrance to the castle were a collection of “supercars”. Here are some of the highlights:ALFA-ROMEO
Classic Alfas included several of the 105 series cars, both in GTV Coupe and Spider guises .
David Roots’ Alfa Special was there, occupying pride of place in the Bristol Auto Italian Club display area. Given the weather, he’s a brave man for venturing out in this car! Hopefully he will have dried out by now!
An early Alfetta GTV.
ALVISThe elegant TD21
AUDIAn R8 was parked up among the supercars. There were a few more of this car in the car park.
The Coupe quattro, with distinctive five cylinder engine.
AUSTINA variety of Austin models, ranging from Seven models from the 1920s to a Princess.
This Austin Six dates from the 1920s.
From the 1950s were this A35 Van and an A50 Cambridge
There was also an A60 Cambridge, Austin’s version of the Farina range of mid-sized cars that were the mainstay of the range in the early 1960s.
This Maxi looked in need of rather a lot of love and attention (and new body panels!0
BENTLEYTucked away in one corner as this Continental GTC.
BMW and MINIAlthough most of the cars on show were “historic”, a couple of local dealers had brand new vehicles displayed, and BMW/MINI were one such, with the latest F10 5 series parked next to the popular E60 car, and representatives of the growing number of MINI derivatives also on show.
Among the very few classic BMWs – a reminder that it is only relatively recently that these cars have sold in such huge volume – was an E21 model 320i.
BORGWARDVery rare indeed, this is a genuine UK market right hand drive Isabella Kombi.
BRISTOLAn early car, this is one of the first 400 models, and it was joined by its successor, the 401.
CHEVROLETIn honour of Chevrolet’s centenary, there was a special display of the “bow tie” cars from the ages, with a mixture of family saloons, pick-ups and several Corvettes. There was also a 57 model 4 door Bel Air sedan, widely regarded as one of the “best” years of Chevrolet’s history.
CITROENJust two Citroen at the event, a facelifted CX model and a Traction Avant.
DAIMLER and LANCHESTERA varied display of these stately machines.
This 1953 Dauphin is one of just two such cars that were produced. The model was initially a Lanchester, and after being shown at the Earls Court Show, was returned to the factory and turned into a Daimler.
There were a couple of the DS250 Dart sports cars.
There were a number of Daimler models shown among the more numerous Jaguar cars, including this 420G-based Sovereign
FERRARITwo Ferrari were included in the “supercar” display, an F40 and a 288 GTO. I like both, but if forced to pick only one, I think the GTO would edge it, just.
There were a good selection of Ferraris on display in a line at one end of the Car Club displays, too, with representatives of the current model range shown by the local Exeter dealer.
308/328
Mondial
355
There were a trio of the 360 and 430 models
The 456 is rarely seen in red, as most of these cars were sold in darker hues.
550/575M
FIATStradas are a rare sighting these days, and most of the cars that you do see tend to be the sporting 105TC and 130TC cars, so this 65CL must count as particularly rare.
The 2300S Coupe is rare too, so to get 2 of them at the same event must be in the proverbial hens teeth department.
Another little seen car is the 128 Coupe, antecedent to the 3P model.
Compared to these. the Uno Selecta could almost be seen as common, though in fact the Uno has all but gone from our roads now, too.
There was one example of the popular Coupe, an original looking car.
FORDLots of diverse historic Fords to see, reflecting the popularity of this marque through much of the 100 years since Ford arrived in Britain.
A wide variety of Anglia models were on display, including a couple of estate cars, one in very hair shirt spec indeed.
Zodiac
Among the various Cortina models were two examples of the Uren converted Savage.
There were a good number of Escorts on show. Most of them were sporting models, ranging from the Mexico versions of the Mark 1 to the RS Cosworth in Mark IV guise. There was one very neatly presented “regular” car, too, a Mark II 1300 L saloon. 
Capris
A lone Granada Ghia Coupe
Early Fiestas have now become quite rare, as like most of their contemporaries they had a propensity to rust. This is a very basic car indeed.
There were several Sierra Cosworth, with both the hatchback and the latter saloon present.
Racing Puma
Focus
This Ford based Hot-Rod was one of a row of similar sort of machines.
There were a few US Fords, too, such as this Mustang Coupe, and the much earlier Model “T”..
GILBERNA Series 3 Invader. These nicely finished cars were fearsomely expensive when new, costing more than an “E” Type Jaguar.
HILLMANA varied display of Imps, most of which had been modified to some extent, which may be why I seem to lack many pictures of these cars.
A Super Minx, in rare automatic guise
HUMBERThe Sceptre was a plusher and more powerful version of the Super Minx.
There was also an example of the larger hawk model.
JAGUARNoting the 50th anniversary of the “E” Type, a separate display area in the middle of the event was reserved for this much loved British sports car, and there were a number of models on show, both Coupe and Roadster and from the different generations of the car.
Jaguar Owners had a comprehensive display of cars elsewhere on the lawn, including these:
LAMBORGHINIGallardo
LANCIAA couple of Beta based models. with Coupe and HPE models, both of them from near the end of the production run, on show.
There was also the slightly zany Fulvia Zagato Coupe to admire.
LOTUSA wide variety of Lotus on show, from the Elan, Plus 2 and Europa cars of the 1960s and 1970s through the front wheel drive Elan of the 1990s to the current Elise and Exige models.
MASERATIDisplay cars included a 4 door Biturbo 430 model, and the more recent 3200 GT and Gran Turisnmo
MERCEDES-BENZThere were surprisingly few Mercedes at the event, but among those cars that were present were a few SL cars.
MGAt the risk of encouraging a well-known forummer here to drool uncontrollably, here is a lovely 1939 WA model.
Earlier than the WA was this, an 18/80. I believe.
Dating from soon after the end of WW2 hostilities was this MG TC.
There were a couple of the relatively rare MGC models on display.
MINISeveral of the “classic” Mini were on show, including the rare Clubman estate in the very period hue of Pageant Blue.
There was also a beautifully presented Moke on show.
MORRISThis Mark 2 Marina would seem to be a regular at shows in the south west, and always attracts plenty of comments to the effect of “I remember having one of those, or in my case, I remember being taken to school in one of those”.
The Minor was well represented, with a nicely restored example of the Minor 1,000,000 reminding us that it is 50 years since this became Britains best ever selling car (a record it later ceded to the Mini, of course).
A Mark 2 Morris 1800 “LandCrab”, another car that looked like it would need some love and care to keep it roadworthy.
NAPIERA very early “supercar”, relative to its competition at the time in the first decade of the twentieth century.
NOBLEAnother of the “supercars” was this M12
PORSCHEThe Porsche Owners Club had a display comprising a mixture of cars from the various generations of 911 model, through the front engined 924 – 968 cars, and the 928.
RELIANTA couple of Scimitar models, an SE5 Coupe and an SE6 Convertible.
RILEYTwo very lovely 1930s models, a Monaco and a Kestrel.
ROVERA huge showing for three different types of Rover, First there were the P4 cars.
Plenty of P5s were found nearby
There were a lot of P6 cars at the event, too, though most of these were in the general section rather than Owners club cars.
There were some earlier cars, too, with a number of the P3 models on show, and an even earlier P2 car
SAABA late model 95, in very period hue.
SINGERA Gazelle – basically a posh version of the Hillman Minx.
STANDARDSeparate from the Triumph cars which eventually replaced them, were a number of these very British vehicles.
A couple of the upper-medium class Vanguard cars showing the transition from American influenced model of the Phase 1 and 2 to the Vignale styled third generation car.
These are pre-war models.
SUBARUThis is the only Subaru that I photographed, though there were about a dozen cars on the stand all of them modified in ways that did not accord with my taste. Someone must have approved, though, as the stand was declared one of the winners by the event judges!
SUNBEAMThe Alpine, a rival to the MGB.
TALBOTA Sunbeam Lotus, in the later two tone blue finish.
TESLAParked up by the castle, to take advantage of a charging point was this Tesla Roadster.
TRIUMPHPlenty of Stags
There were a couple of Dolomite Sprints, and one of the now far rarer 1500TC which was a close relative.
Also attending were a few Herald and Vitesse models.
TVRLots of TVR, of course, and as ever, there were more of the Griffith generation cars than anything else, but there were earlier models, and some late cars such as a couple of Tamoras.
VANDEN PLASThe plush version of ADO16, this is a lateish 1300 model.
VAUXHALLLately, I seem to have come across quite a lot of the FB Victors, and this event was no exception with one parked up in the car park.
VOLSKWAGENMark 11 Scirocco.
Type 1 Karmann Ghia
…. AND FINALLYParked up by the TVRs was this. I initially thought that perhaps it was a rare prototype for a design that was long since forgotten. But it is not, it turned out to be a Hensen M30. I am sure I have seen it at some other event, but to date cannot quite remember where.
This was an interesting event. If blessed with a sunny day, it would be outstanding as the setting is truly fantastic, but even in the rain, it entertained me for many an hour.2011-07-22 11:33:21
