Event Festival of the Unexceptional, 22 July 2017

[bramz7]

Attempted to clean the engine bay of my car last night. Went okay, that Jizer stuff is pretty efficient. Somehow found an ancient car alarm under all the dirt. Happily it's been disarmed....

 

Think I've talked it up so much everyone will be disappointed in what it actually is.

[dollywobbler]

Weather forecast sounds pretty miserable, so us hardy folk might be in the majority. Says to take food. As I typed that, a Belgian Volvo 240 drove past me. Ace!

[Six-cylinder]

Weather forecast sounds pretty miserable, so us hardy folk might be in the majority. Says to take food. As I typed that, a Belgian Volvo 240 drove past me. Ace!

 

I may not open my Luxury folding sunroof then!

[panhard65]

I was going to this and have my Peugeot booked in but it looks like I am going to have to work Saturday morning for a few hours and there is not much chance of the old pug getting there before it finishes.

[mat_the_cat]

A non forum pal with a Hyundai Stellar is going to be at this show. Is RayMK coming? There's a possibility of a Stellar threesome here!

There should at least be a twosome, if we can park together. Where will your mate be travelling from?

[dollywobbler]

He's also in Bucks apparently.

[bramz7]

Yeah I know who that is, good friend of mine. I think I'm meeting him at a nearby services for a convoy of sorts to the venue.

[Spottedlaurel]

In readiness for Saturday, I’ve splashed-out (!) on a new set of wiper blades for the 1200. The old ones are rubbish and I need to do all I can for a potentially wet journey on the A14. Now just got to get round to fitting them, and cleaning the thing up generally. At least I didn’t enter it into the concours…..

[dollywobbler]

I also am experiencing wiper joy. The correct 19" blades have arrived, with spoiler for the driver's blade. Rest of the car looks utterly crap, but the wipers are good!

[bramz7]

Weather forecast has improved very slightly.

[alcyonecorporation]

Maybe I'll see people there. 

Maybe I won't. 

[BorniteIdentity]

Things not quite going to plan at my end.

 

"It IS Venetian Red, yes?"

"No, Ken. Cardinal Red"

"Oh fuck."

 

Apparently R3 is Venetian Red from late 70s to unspecified end date, whereas Cardinal Red is early 80s onwards. Google suggests Venetian was a MK2 Escort colour (and fabulous) but this is a touch, err, redder.

 

We're a little behind timescale now. Hope to pick it up late tonight.

 

[BorniteIdentity]

Unbelievably, I'm now out. The bodywork guy absolutely promised me he'd have it ready today - I even saw him at lunchtime and it was all roughly on track. I'm not sure what has happened since midday, but he's just called to say that he won't be done tonight. Apparently he's a million miles off.

 

To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. This was the only other show I was hoping to get to this year.

 

I've nothing else on fleet at the moment, so necessity dictates I do something more constructive.

 

Sorry I won't be there guys, I was really really looking forward to it. Was supposed to be a great start to the holidays.

 

[mat_the_cat]

I felt much the same before SF '15

The Stellar had been in the body shop for 3 months, and they kept saying it would be ready in time. They got the shell in paint on the Thursday before SF; I worked all through the night building it all back up, with the plan they would finish the doors on the Friday for me to fit and be ready in time. But it was not to be, so I came anyway and drowned my sorrows. Not that I'm suggesting drink as your solution!

[RayMK]

A non forum pal with a Hyundai Stellar is going to be at this show. Is RayMK coming? There's a possibility of a Stellar threesome here!

 

Bluebird still seems to be losing coolant, I think. Took about half a litre after a 30-mile drive. It's going to be a nervous drive over tomorrow. I'll be carrying water!

 

There is a chance I may turn up,  health issues being the main uncertainty.  I also want to attend the Vintage Motorcycle Club Founders Day meeting at Stanford Hall on the following day, a favourite event of mine.

[mat_the_cat]

I certainly hope so (regardless of the car).

I'm on my way!

 

[quicksilver]

Will see you all there shortly. I guess the competition for shortest distance travelled will be between myself, Six-cylinder and GoGently. Weather seems to be drying up nicely so hopefully it'll stay that way.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

What time is this on till?

I've got a job to Birmingham at 10.00 so could possibly get to Stowe by around 1 o'clock , will anyone still be there?

 

Not bothered about seeing ,probably, the same shiny stuff that's been there for the last couple of years, rather sMe famous(infamous?) real shite.

I'll be the idiot in the shiny new Merc ,although I won't be wearing a shirt and tie, I've already got a change of clothes wedged under the boot floor- be prepared!

[dollywobbler]

3pm is the official time. I think there is talk of post-event happenings too for Autoshite folk. Weather lovely here at the moment.

[Six-cylinder]

Rain had ended a great show early - Anybody who is still around Buckingham, I am holding an after show tea party at home 3 miles SE of Buckingham. PM for address

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Well, I came and had a look. Bugger me, I should have kept the whistle on, posh or what ?

I didn't like the concours, even that gorgeous 505 could have been a field of E-Types or Bugattis.

Soulless shiny sculpture.

The pre 90 parking was better and the sight of 3 Stellers and 3 Bluebirds is not something you see everyday, I spotted some AS cars and people enjoying the sub-Pebble Beach field, but didn't feel I could interrupt their relaxation or enthusiastic explaining their cars finer points.

AngryDicky and the owner of the Gold Mk2 Granada dressed as 80's yuppie management were highlights as was DollyWobbler dressed as a 90's Bluebird driving hippy/ survivalist.

[RayMK]

I have just returned home after a most enjoyable two or three hours at the Festival.  An undoubted highlight was the spectacle of three Hyundai Stellars parked next to each other and meeting their two owners, but there again I am possibly biased  .  It was good to meet Mr Dollywobbler and see his rescued Bluebird, and have a few words with Quicksilver of this parish. A nice variety of marques were represented in a very grand setting. Glad I made the effort to drive all of 7 miles to get there. I'll see what the other attendees post in the way of photos and fill in any gaps in due course after pumping my shots through my old Asus netbook.  This Macbook Pro has not got a card reader or a USB port and takes too much effort to accept photos.   

[alcyonecorporation]

Got up to come. 

Went back to bed with a splitting headache. 
Fixed an old Singer sewing machine instead. 



Can't win 'em all, what? 

 

[rantingYoof]

Spent a pleasant 45 minutes strolling about the show with SnrYoof.

 

Photos incoming.

[rantingYoof]

It went from bright sunlight to dark cloud from bright sunlight to apocalyptic cloud rather quickly so getting the lighting right was tricky.

 

Also being the complete noob I am the settings on the camera appear to cause a lot of close-up 18mm shots to fail to focus in the correct place, making it blurred.

 

Selected are the photos that work. Edited for my own taste.

 

 

Favourites of show are close between the Saab and the red Vitesse. There was also a silver Vandenplas with red velour, and a 2.6 straight six manual. Phwoar.

[Joey spud]

 

Quite impressive

 

 

Even the band was suitably retro.

(Why is the bass player wearing woolly gloves?).

[RayMK]

Nice photo.  I tried to get an all inclusive shot but I'm not as tall as you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know, I know, you went up the steps in front of the hall   .

[dollywobbler]

A bloody great day out and having missed Six Cylinder's invite, we eventually convoyed to a Little Chef, after getting kicked out of the site because the organisers wanted to go home. Such former luminaries as Mash and Hirst joined us, and that Ratdat bloke. Plus, Pogweasel was at the show! Amazing. Mr Bollox arrived just in time for the rain...

 

Not really much point adding photos, but the Fiat 128 estate was a highlight for me. One of several highlights.

[AlabamaShrimp]

This show definitely has the wrong name!

 

 

With such luminaries attending didn't you get a group shot?

[dollywobbler]

I did get some pics in Little Chef, but you'll have to wait for the glory of those.