Dayz out - classic car porn (and dross !)

[Bfg]

Been to a couple of local (Suffolk) shows recently, so thought I'd share some piccies with y 'all..

Event:  Lavenham Rare Breeds Motor Show - 28th Aug (Bank holiday Sunday).  An informal village show that's outgrown their harvest festival fete.

 

firstly though - 'Nudge' a Sunbeam S8 from 1953 is my daily ride

 

a welcoming smile   (showing us how to enjoy a summer's day in a Sunbeam Rapier 3a)

 

 

my landlady's husband owns the business that produce these beautifully built replicas (using the Jaguar block).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and then the rain came down !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Skizzer]

Good stuff!

 

That Austin Half Ton Suntor is a bit tasty.

[dollywobbler]

Rare breeds? With Minis, E-Types and MGBs? Some tasty stuff there for sure, but also rather too much dross given the title.

[Bfg]

Rare breeds? With Minis, E-Types and MGBs? Some tasty stuff there for sure, but also rather too much dross given the title.

 

Is one man's dross not simply another man's delight ?

 

...and (imo) even the most popular marques are very much more interesting than some of non-Autoshite topics & cocksure dribble politics I've read on this website recently !

[garethj]

Loving the Peerless GT, wish I hadn't had to sell mine.

[MarvinsMom]

that beige clubbie estate would get me in a state, as would that sandglow maxi......

 

yum yum yum!!!

 

thanks for shearing the pics.

[Bfg]

Loving the Peerless GT, wish I hadn't had to sell mine.

 

It was better than new inside and out. Exceptional condition under bonnet too.., was again like new.  And it was home restored.. The chassis was stripped out (the fibreglass body being part bonded to it) and its extensive but rotten new body support frame was hand reproduced. The interior had been a chicken coup and the complete dashboard with instrument panel was missing.  The owner built a new one as best he could from photographs and records, and direct reference to the very few other cars that have survived (he tells me that no two are exactly the same).

 

Even the stunning paint work was done by the owner's own hand (...twice because the first attempt ended up with micro bubbles).  Bumpers are painted fibreglass.  A new windscreen was needed and had to be made specially because it's unique to these cars.  Thankfully the Aston Martin like wrap around rear window and side glasses were good.  I believe the Peerless came out a year or two before the DB4 but for their similarities they might have been sisters. The chromed window trim is over brass, and these like the grille bar needed a  fair amount of work to bring up to standard.

 

I've had a TR3a (which is the mechanical train under the Peerless) as well as the TR4 and TR6 models.   I'd love another TR4 but like most other classics (and dross) the prices have shot up since the recession.

 

 

 

p.s.   I happened upon the same Peerless at the 'Classics by the Lake' show on Sunday 4th and took the opportunity to snap this for you..

[Bfg]

that beige clubbie estate would get me in a state, as would that sandglow maxi......

 

yum yum yum!!!

 

thanks for shearing the pics.

 

I was rather taken by the Triumph Vitesse and the Sunbeam Rapier.  I'd love to do a back-to-back road test to compare.    Mind you the Rover Vitesse was also beautifully presented and always attractive to my eyes

[Bfg]

For this coming weekend - I've posted two shows notifications :

 

a WWII themed airshow with vehicle and battle reenactments near Cosby, Leicestershire (2nd - 4th September 2016) 

 

and the other is the Classic & Sportscar show near  Bury St.Edmunds.. (Sunday 4th September 2016)

 

for links please see Autoshite's own < Calendar >

[Bfg]

Following on from /\  /\     ..this past weekend I went to the Victory Show near Cosby, Leicestershire. This is a WWII themed air display with vehicle and battle reenactments.  I've never been to such a show before but had a great couple of days seeing, listening to and sometimes even feeling the earth shake from all kinds of shite.  I talked to and enjoyed learning from those who go there not only to display but also to remember and pay homage to all who paid the ultimate sacrifice..  

 

I took dozens of photos, at times in pretty unfavourable conditions - so I apologise for some of lesser quality.  Here's a few to start the conversation  (.. and if there's interest I'll add more later).

 

 

..I used to have a boss like that !

 

whereas the yanks were pretty laid back, as if it were all a picnic..

 

mind you what they lacked in numbers they made up for in girth..

 

but of course keeping the country (and troops) fed was an equally crucial part of the war effort..

 

 

far too clean but still a great display ..looks to be from a later conflict

 

motorcycles too.. albeit here we have a British Norton 16H in desert colours incoherently placed amidst more US heavy stuff wearing dress codes from the northern Europe arena.

 

..There seemed to be a lot of heavy yank stuff at this show, apparently in 1945 the lads were keen to get home to their gals ..and mamma's home made apple pie, so simply abandoned most of their equipment rather than shipping it home.  I guess we paid for it for years to come, but I'm surprised to see so much metal survived when reportedly steel for the production of cars was so scarce for quite a few years after the war.

 

Flying models..  The green jet in particular sounded & flew superb ..but despite being the best part of 10ft long - was too small to photograph in the air !..

 

..and the real thing - giving an impromptu after hours display for us..

 

 

the size of the Victory Show was enormous, covering several huge fields of encampments & vehicles, woodland fox holes, plus the air strip, a battlefield, a pond with ship & submarine models, and then four car parks & a camp site.. but it was never crowded. (click on photo to enlarge)...

 

..btw, the above photo is not an edited image,  No I was in the real thing.. a Dekota (DC3) that's not only seen active service in various campaigns* but has subsequently been used in numerous films. < AcesHighC47 >  The one which comes to mind (because I watched it recently) was 'The Wild Geese' with Burton, Moore, Harris, & Kruger (amongst others)...

 

* this particular aircraft saw action at D-day, Arnham, and the Berlin Airlift.

 

Bfg

 

 

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[Bfg]

This coming weekend   24 - 25th Sept..

 

< Sywell Classics Piston & Props > Sponsored by Footman James..

 

Great show last year.   I went for the day but decided then and there that there was so much to see that I could do with more time at this one !  Air show,  Airfield drag strip,  classic oldies,  autoshite as well as car club drosssss,   customised,  and racers..  not to mention some pretty ladies in period dress and the bar.. 

 

2-day / weekend (e-ticket) is £30 in advance ..or £22 per day on the gate.. Camping is outrageously expensive @ £60 so I'll be stealth camping in the Voyager ..most likely close to a local pub

 

Bfg

 

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[Bfg]

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Ok.. for those who may be interested.. here's a few of the fly-boys strutting their stuff a the Victory Show..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...anyone here like Tanks ?  .. I snapped a few mud flingers if anyone's interested.

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[Jim Bell]

As long as theyre not Tigers baby.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Quit with the negative waves, man.

[Bfg]

...fo'waaard hoe

[Bfg]

p.s.  generally speaking would you prefer I edit the photos to enhance colour,  contrast,  &/or selective sharpening of details ..or are you happy to see the straight from the camera shots from a rainy day ? 

[danthecapriman]

Great pics, and yes I like tanks! Especially WWII stuff!

[MarvinsMom]

yes please........

[Bfg]

By request 

 

...Tanks,   tracked vehicles   and   other wet n' muddy  WWII  reenactment vehicles.. 

 

^ imagine a lot of noise.. this was powering !

 

..and spinnin'

 

 

 

In the meantime..

 

..it was pissin' raining

 

..in the German camp

 

 

^ two remarkably cool vehicles

 

 

.. more followed ! !

[Bfg]

2.   ...mobility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and then the noise started ...  and the mud started to be flung !

[Bfg]

3. ...the advance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and then ..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

..of course I couldn't possibly say who won this particular engagement ! 

 

 

Bfg

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[danthecapriman]

Thanks for posting these. Looked good fun! It must cost a fortune keeping the old WWII stuff going and sourcing all the authentic weapons, uniforms, insignia etc etc for this sort of thing.

[Bfg]

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^ Glad to share, and even happier to think that others enjoy my piccies - Thanks

 

Interesting to talk with these guys.. most of whom belong to a group of fellow enthusiasts (.. the groups seem to come from all over the country, perhaps in remembrance of their local regiments ?).   Squaddies of course only have their uniforms, arms and personal camping gear, which I guess isn't too expensive an interest.   Most likely the group would buy the more expensive heavy weapons and kit - like machine guns and/or anti-aircraft cannons,  and perhaps even work together to keep a heavy vehicle fit for their weekly shopping run down to Morrisons.!  

 

 

I think the fun is in being grown up and 'being allowed to' play like children   There's sure to be real experience too - like camping n' cooking with 75 year old army kit ..in all weathers.  And good exercise too !  And then again there did seem to be a good deal of camaraderie among the enactors ..all grafting hard together in adverse conditions.., so a great way to build strong friendships.   Possibly for some - it's a nice way to remember those who served (both in the past and present),  so it's probably a great activity to be part of ...even more so than car mechanics or spectator sports.

 

 

If anyone is interested, I'll post other still more photos ...of the encampments, trench conditions, and fox holes ..many of which reflect something of the persons ?    

 

[danthecapriman]

If you've got more I'd be interested to see them...

 

I'm interested in WWII. I think it's a fascinating part of history, not only the actual warfare and fighting but the things that led up to it and what came about because of it. It's been a very big part of what formed the world as it is now.

I'd actually had intentions to start collecting a bit of stuff from then, deactivated guns, medals, insignia that sort of thing but never did in the end as the money ended up being used on my cars instead but I was very very close at one bit to buying a Bren light machine gun (original pre NATO version) and and MG34! Probably the sort of thing that would be perfect for these reenactments I'd imagine.

I find the German stuff to be particularly interesting though, it's so beautifully made and designed. I looked at an SS ceremonial dagger too and the thing was lovely to look at, it just puts a lot of people off given the acts that the SS and Nazis did. Of course the German stuff tends to be rarer given the fact they lost the war and much of their stuff didn't survive afterwards.

[Bfg]

As requested..  Sorry no cars today, and not many vehicles or heavy weapons either ..but rather the men and women..  the theatre players (of this year's reenactment) ..and the faces of numerous families on both sides of each line that fought with duty and courage.  Lest we forget ..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

but the realities of life in the field are not so pleasant as a summers day.  There was more to follow..

 

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[Bfg]

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..but the realities of life in the field are not so pleasant as a summer's day.  There was more to follow..

 

mud n' raining (Bullets)..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the price was paid..

 

on each side..

 

 

[Bfg]

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..Lest we forget

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was a great show imho., which I felt not only shared an interest in this period of history, the technology of vehicles and arms (..and of their weather protection & camping !),  but also, and especially on such a horribly rainy day - taught us (just a little) of the harsh realities.  

 

I was born on the Battle of  Britain Day 1956,  so this year I went in celebration* of my sixtieth.  Just eleven years previous.. not only Europeans but most every race and creed 'n colour of this little world witnessed first hand such bloody conflict..  'Blue planet' indeed.!  

[Bfg]

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But of course we might also remember the odd lighthearted and/or somewhat ironic moments of this event  too..

 

as always - the best from the British encampment ..

 

I hope you've enjoyed my sharing these with you..

       ..courtesy of  those who reenacted  'The Victory Show', Colby, Leicestershire - 2016

 

Bfg 

[danthecapriman]

Brilliant, thanks for posting these.

I'm only 32 so I've got absolutely no experience or recollection of the 2nd world war but I find it such a fascinating bit of history. Even though it's so long ago it's well worth remembering be it through a bit of reading or seeing a reenactment like this. Sadly it seems mankind is unable to learn from such events!

My Grandad was in the RAF during the war, he was wireless operator on Lancaster bombers and has a few tales to tell!

 

On a lighter note, all being well next week there should be a 1/16 scale reenactment taking place in my back garden once my radio control Tiger tank and Jagdtiger tank destroyer arrive!

[Bfg]

Brilliant, thanks for posting these.

I'm only 32 so I've got absolutely no experience or recollection of the 2nd world war but I find it such a fascinating bit of history. Even though it's so long ago it's well worth remembering be it through a bit of reading or seeing a reenactment like this. Sadly it seems mankind is unable to learn from such events!

My Grandad was in the RAF during the war, he was wireless operator on Lancaster bombers and has a few tales to tell!

 

On a lighter note, all being well next week there should be a 1/16 scale reenactment taking place in my back garden once my radio control Tiger tank and Jagdtiger tank destroyer arrive!

 

..not so long ago in the big picture, especially if your grandad is still alive.  If he is.. then might I suggest you spend some time with him talking and in particular listening, and then writing those recollections down. That's living history for you ..better than anything you'll get from a book.  You, and probably your own grandchildren, will be so glad you did.! 

 

who's expected to win in your own reenactment. ?