Classic Summer Days are here again!
The British public’s affection for classic cars appears to be insatiable as the popularity of gatherings both from the vehicles’ owners and the attendees alike has reached record heights and continues to soar in numbers.
An eclectic mix of treasured classic cars from the halcyon days of British motoring gathered in the spacious garden of the British Queen pub at Meldreth on Monday. As well as the iconic Bentley and MG marques there were representatives from other famous makes of a similar era.
The Riley Motor Company, although a class on their own, only accomplished a relatively short life span compared with some other famous names in the industry, embarking on serious vehicle production in 1890, before being swallowed up by the giant Nuffield organisation in 1938, latterly becoming just a cog in the Morris production department.
Andrew Croysdill entered his resplendent 9 hp Riley Kestrel which he has lovingly returned to showroom condition and has owned for an oustanding 35 years, whilst Nigel Cathcart displayed his 2.5 1949 RMB model, a design that was popular in its time. Also featured was a 1935 Riley 9 Lynx which Jonathan Severn purchased only last Christmas. The car’s previous owner had conducted a long term rebuild which started in the late 1950’s and continued until 1997.
The oldest vehicle present, a 1928 Sunbeam Limousine, was running on the very latest sustainable liquid fuel. Owner, Guy Lachlan, explained, “80% of the waste is turned into alcohol. A chemical process strips off the oxygen leaving carbon and hydrogen.”
Although not strictly classified as a community pub because it is privately owned by local businessman, Alan Tobin, the British Queen’s policy is to be an amenity centre for the area with attractions being constantly staged to attract all ages. The popular classic car gathering, for example, is presented regularly on the first Monday of each month and woos interested owners from a wide area.
Photographs & Article by Clive Porter
