The
Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza, now in its 40th year,
will take place once again at South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester. From
Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd August 2014 the extravaganza will attract more
than 15,000 visitors and raise money for local and national charities.
The show has grown dramatically in recent years and is now widely
regarded as one of the biggest and best Steam, Vintage and Countryside
events in the UK. Attracting thousands of exhibits from all corners of
the British Isles, as well as some from further afield - it really is a
nostalgic road trip into bygone years.
The
show was originally conceived for steam enthusiasts, but the range of
exhibits has grown year on year. It now boasts a huge array of vintage
transport, from buses and coaches, commercial vehicles, static
aircrafts, classic cars, steam engines, traction engines, motorcycles
through to military vehicles, emergency vehicles tractors and historic
caravans. A
live action arena is an integral part of the event with interactive
demonstrations taking place every day, alongside the popular steam
driven vintage fun fair and the welcome return of Ken Fox Wall of Death,
one
of the last original Wall of Deaths dating back to 1929, will make a
welcome return to wow the crowds as they perform tricks, acrobatics and
high-speed chases on their 1920’s Indian motorcycles.The classic car section alone has over 600 vehicles represented, showcasing veteran, pre-war, post-war, American to modern classics. Alongside regular exhibits are rare and remarkable stories of restoration projects and histories to be told. The oldest vehicle entered is a 1904 CGV Talbot (only 50 were ever built, with only 2 left in existence), the same family from Cheltenham will also be bringing a 1904 Talbot which they have lovingly restored, and can often be seen competing in the world famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
However the best story has to be from a gentleman in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, who had a great deal back in the 1960s when he swapped his camera for a 1935 Austin 10! He has since purchased a similar camera back in a charity shop for £2! The Austin 10 came complete with original letters from its previous owner, along with its history. The vehicle was borrowed in the Second World War as a private defence vehicle for the army and at the time had its headlights covered so it could not be seen by enemy aircraft.
Fairford Classic Car Club are amongst the many classic car clubs represented, their local owners will display over twenty vehicles including a 1955 Sunbeam Mk III Coupe (one of only 17 left in the world) entered by the Chairman Malcolm Cutler.
Other notable vehicles include:
· A 1933 Stanford 9 which has remained in the same family from Swindon since new
· A 1955 Wolsley 4.44 owned for 52 years by Mr Jarvis from Cirencester
· A 1980 very rare factory built Panther Lima and 1960 Jensen 541R (Owner from Yate)
· A
record-breaking Jensen 541 Prototype, chassis number 1 - holder of the
London to Paris record, entered by owner Malcolm Bristow from Tetbury
who has a vast collection of Jensen’s
· Plus
many American Classics including a 1929 Cadillac that has been
completely restored, and considered one of the best American classics in
the UK
Gloucestershire
Steam & Vintage Extravaganza is packed full of exhibits, displays
and curiosity stalls to keep the whole family entertained for hours with
displays of Victorian memorabilia ranging from antique sewing and
knitting machines and model dolls houses to vintage garden tools and
1940s to 1950s home wares. Alongside the hundreds of vintage vehicles,
there will be the popular steam driven vintage fun fair, 'electric
yachts', waltzer, big wheel, steam-driven 'gallopers', face painting,
dodgems and traditional arcade games, plus an Animal and Countryside
area with poultry, Shire Horses, rare breeds, Alpacas and Ferrets with
an arena demonstrating Horse Logging, Falconry and dog agility
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