Over 600 Classic Cars at The South-West's largest festival of transport
The 41st Annual Gloucestershire Vintage & Country Extravaganza
July 31st, 1st & 2nd August 2015
South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester
July 31st, August 1st & 2nd 2015 will see the Stroud Vintage Transport & Engine Club (SVTEC) stage their 41st Annual Show at South Cerney Airfield in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The show is widely regarded as one of the biggest and best Steam, Vintage and Countryside events in the UK and attracts thousands of exhibitors and visitors from across the county and actively raises money for both national and regional charities.
This year the Gloucestershire Vintage and Country Extravaganza will include the popular Steam Arena, with non-stop steam demonstrations, and the opportunity to drive a steam engine and see the spectacular Showman’s Engines. The Main Arena which features parades and commentary of all the vintage vehicles on site from classic cars, tractors, commercial vehicles, vintage bus and coaches, motorcycles, scooters, traction engines, miniature steam, industrial trucks, military vehicles, caravans to emergency vehicles. Plus the Countryside Arena featuring dog agility, ferret racing, rare breeds, animal conservation, alpaca’s, shire horses, horse logging, falconry displays and children’s pony rides.
The classic car section alone has over 600 vehicles represented, from the dawn of the motoring era, to pre-war, post-war, Pre 72 American to modern classics. The oldest vehicles entered are 1904 CGV Talbot (only 50 were ever built, with only 2 left in existence) and a 1904 Talbot that has been lovingly restored by a family in Cheltenham, and often competes in the world famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. To the opposite end of the spectrum, there are supercars such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti to mass produced run-abouts such as Morris, Austin, and Ford marques – we often hear people saying ‘my Dad had one of those’. This year the show will play host to the largest amount of visiting car clubs in its event history, wewelcome the return of the likes of Atwell Wilson Motor Museum, Gentry Register, Mini Rebels and Fairford Classic Car Club and all our regular clubs and are delighted to welcome the Bond Bug Register, Classic Ford and Citroën Traction Avant Club as show newbies. On Sunday 2 August the Citroën Traction Avant Club will hold a Concourse, featuring 40 their best vehicles from around the world.
The American section alone has 46 Pre-72 American cars booked in already including a completely restored1929 Cadillac considered to be one of the best American classics in the UK, plus a rare 1959 Galaxie Skylinerwith retractable hardtop and a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro. This Camero is a beast with a 455 ci big block engine fitted with a supercharger, twin 750cmf carburettors and nitrous oxide and 1100 BHP.
Alongside regular exhibits are remarkable stories of barn finds, restoration projects and histories to be told, such as the 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.
Other vehicles include:
· A 1933 Stanford 9 which has remained in the same family from Swindon since new
· 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 fromTetbury who has a vast collection of Jensen’s
Aside from all the vehicles, there are literally thousands of exhibits, curiosity stalls, trade stands, models tents, craft marques to keep the whole family entertained. Children always love the vintage fairground with the popular Fairground Organs, 'electric yachts', waltzers, big wheel, steam-driven 'gallopers' and traditional penny arcade games, and this year they can even have a ride on a model stream train.
The showground site is sprawling, with plenty of food and drink ‘pit stops’, a firm favourite is the vintage tea room with regular music and entertainment from 1940s inspired Lindy Hopper dancers, this year you can even get your hair done at the vintage hair salon!
Taking to the skies above, will be a thrilling aerobatic display by local Oaksey pilot, Lauren Richardson (Sat) and the return of Richard Goodwin (Sun) with the Muscle Biplane Air Display, both will puts their Pits Special biplanes through its paces in an aerobatic display (weather permitting).Plus Jump4Heroes - The Royal British Legion Extreme Human Flight Team, will skydive into the arena to see us.
Chairman of the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club (S.V.T.E.C) Martyn Slater, said: “Our goal has always been to give the best value for money family day out in Gloucestershire, with something for all of the family to enjoy, whilst providing a safe environment for people to celebrate our unique transport history and the preservation of historical vehicles. We actively encourage interaction between exhibitors and visitors, and have recently instated a nifty on-site Wi-Fi which enables visitors to find out more history and information about specific vehicles displayed. The dedicated Wi-Fi code can be obtained from the show program and available for use on phones, tablets and laptops”.
The Extravaganza is organised by the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club. This non-profit making organisation raises money for national and local charities and up to 30 will be represented on site raising money and awareness of their respective causes. The rally is one of the largest events of its kind run entirely by volunteers. All section leaders strive to bring something different to this year’s event.
All the owners are knowledgeable and proud to show off their splendid vehicles. With so much to see and do, one day just isn’t long enough.
