MORE than 400 classic vehicles went on show this weekend as the York Historic Vehicle Group held its annual rally today at York Racecourse.
This will be the event’s 46th year in York with a variety of different vehicles on display from classic sports cars and original buses to three wheelers and motorbikes – and everything else in between!
One of the event organisers David Walker said that he believed the show played host to around 500-600 different motors this year with 450 people prepaying for their spots and many more turning up on the day.
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On what he was most looking forward to seeing, David said: “I like the lorries – they come every year but often, it’s different ones.
“Sometimes, people ask could you the judge the cars and I always say no. Some of the cars are original, some are restored – I don’t know too much about that to judge.”
Motoring enthusiasts at the show dubbed the event ‘engine porn’ with a chance offered to see under the hood of iconic vehicles.
One of these was a chance to look at a Gardiner 6LXV from 1981 – an engine not only capable of powering a bus but also commonly seen on narrow boats and able to power a vehicle for over a million miles.
Other engines on show included the iconic Triumph Bond cars, which are made of fiberglass and feature a unique bonnet, which tips forward and shows off the full engine.
The show saw both local collectors and those from further afield with collectors from across the country showing up to show off their vehicles.
One local showcasing her motor was Helen Newby from Hovingham, who has kept up maintenance of her classic Jensen Healey since 1976.
In addition to the cars, there were also classic buses (with original vehicles from York Pullman included in the lineup), lorries, and original vintage motorbikes.
Two of the highlights in the motorbike section were owned by husband-and-wife Dave and Sue Westerman who brought along an original Areio Square 4 and a Douglas 350.
The Ariel Square 4, which previously belonged to Sue’s father, was one of a limited run of 600 in coronation blue – a special colour released in 1953 to commemorate the accession of Queen Elizabeth II. Ironically, the colour proved unpopular in the UK market with most bikes being sent across the pond following their release.
Dave’s Douglas 350, which sat beside it, is a motorbike fast approaching its centennial year and despite being manufactured in 1928, the bike still runs!
An extra special vehicle at the event was a group of Jaguar XR collectors – Sherwood Jaguar Racing - who have been decorating their car with vinyl stickers as a charity fundraiser for around 5 years.
For each person who donates £10, they can put a sticker of their name on the car and take a photo inside it – an operation that has raised over £375,000 for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in Dinnington.
According to the team behind the fundraiser: “People have been coming back to look for their names after we did this last year.”
The event also plays host to a number of stalls, offering everything from Yorkshire branded blankets and jumpers (from Shuttle and Bobbins) to antiques and car parts.
There was also tea, coffee, and burgers on offer to keep revellers fed.
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