Don't think it's been mentioned yet, but it's this week, Wednesday evening.
If anyone isn't familiar, it's a pleasent FREE evening out, walking around some cherished & rare old motors, in Harpenden Herts. But ALWAYS loads of interest, so best park away from the venue, as much as possible.
www.classicsonthecommon.com/
VB
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Thanks for the advice!
Watch out for a big beard behind a Nikon!
--
e Prôf - Another Recycled Teenager
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enjoy vansboy all the ones i normally go to have been a washout this year,the biggest and best was actually today but its no fun walking in mud so i didnt go,im really upset to be honest because as each year goes by the people that keep these old motors on the road pass away ive lost 1 mate this year already
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Weather forecast so far is good - but be warned I'm taking my hood less, and tonneau less vintage car that seems to be a mobile rainfall magnet.
If you are going, and please do - drop a bit extra in the collection. The organisers have had to pay for matting to cover the damage done to the common, by the circus... Bearing in mind the sole financial aim is to raise money for charity, they are not exactly impressed.
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2000 vehicles exhibiting. Last year I watched a dozen De Loreans arrive in convoy with their gullwing doors up. Fingers crossed for the weather.
If you can, get here by train. If you can't, expect crawling queues miles long on the A1081. An approach from the east (via the B653 Welwyn Garden City to Luton road) may be better. The huge station car-parks (five minutes' walk away) will be empty in the evening, and there's little chance of parking any closer; there's usually a shuttle bus from the rugby club on the west side towards Redbourn, but that gets caught up in A1081 traffic.
Plenty of pubs and eating places very close by. A good fish & chip shop near the station, plus a kebab place opposite.
I wish they'd push the charity collections a bit more. It's a wonderful event. As usual, I shall enjoy walking half a mile to get there.
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I'll be there in my old VW - only a few miles for me to drive so I'll try and get there close to the 4pm start time.
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If the weathers good then I will pay a visit. Its just a short trip on the train for me. If you are arriving from the north then leave the M1 at Jn10, park at Luton Airport Parkway station and get the train to Harpenden, its the next stop south, trains run every 15 mins and the journey time is, IIRC 6 mins
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I read often, only post occasionally
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An excellent show - I managed to get there just after 4 so I was parked near the front. A really nice atmosphere at the event despite the drizzle, lots of kids had fun getting their picture taken with my car.
There was a late '20s Bentley 3 litre (I think?) that looked wonderful, 2 Lancia Lambdas, a 1930s Talbot and a fantastic Aston Martin 1.5. My vintage heart was gladdened by the sights!
Lots of 60s and 70s stuff that used to be a common sight, really good to see how all the owners put so much work in so we can enjoy seeing them again.
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The red car at the front of the picture may be seen in some eyes as a "classic", but the 1964 model I had from new was rubbish. It needed extensive reconditioning of the engine after only 30,000 miles, and it wasn't long afterwards that the roof parted company with the offside windscreen pillar. The rear suspension transverse arm design was downright dangerous. On roundabouts the nearside rear of the car used to rear up and the nearside rear wheel used to try to tuck itself under the car. Eugh!
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L\'escargot.
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Pity about the weather, but it hardly dampened spirits. I met some neighbours on the way home. They said they hadn't the slightest interest in cars, but it is such a delightful event that they always make a point of attending. Fewer DeLoreans this year, but plenty of beauties, including an immaculate blue 1930s Daimler convertible with pram-style stiffeners on the back of the soft top.
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'On roundabouts the nearside rear of the car used to rear up and the nearside rear wheel used to try to tuck itself under the car.'
The rest of us (that are still alive) learned NOT to lift off when going round corners. ;>)
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My personal highlights were the Tatra (rear mounted, air-cooled V8), and the Lotus (sorry, forget model number) with bodywork in aluminium oxide (under-bonnet was a different story).
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What picture? What car are yout talking about l'escargot?
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I assume its the picture in the link at the top of the post. It's either a Triumph Herald or a Vitesse.
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's correct.
And it's got WING mirrors!!!
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My personal highlights were the Tatra (rear mounted air-cooled V8)
The dark red 613-4? Hactually it's semi-mid mounted V8. The front 2 cylinders are ahead of the axle, the next 2 are on it and the last 4 are behind the axle line.
I miss mine :-(
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He was right about the back suspension then - Wartburgs had a nasty habit of doing the same thing. Mind you, your average Herald driver didn't push the envelope that far...
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I didn't get to go, in the end - Mrs V & me went & bought a new house, instead (fingers crossed)!!
BUT... our neghbor did attend & parted with £4000 for a 25 year old Rolls Royce Flying Spur (is this correct model) - dark blue!!
Anyone see it, or know of it & has got a bargain.... or money pit!!??
VB
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Money pit, unless Someone Up There has his best interests very much at heart.
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A friend who lives in Harpenden introduced me to this show over a decade ago. I find it's really worth the effort of going as it has a unique friendly atmosphere. This I think is created because it is fairly informal, midweek, with a vast array of vehicles from an Austin 7 Trails to a Routemaster bus. The fact there is no judging and no prizes also helps in this. Long may it continue!
Talking of rear engined V8s besides the Tatra there was a V8 Skoda trials!
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'there was a V8 Skoda trials'
You mean Neil Bray's, the one-armed ex stock car driver, now racing historic saloons. An incredible man. tinyurl.com/2rkh4u
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for those too far away to have gone MSN has a good selection of photos:
cars.uk.msn.com/guides/article.aspx?cp-documentid=...8
just click on the pic of the Stratos and sit back and enjoy
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I think I need to be renamed Mario. I fancy alll the italian classics, the Sratos, X19, The integrale, and the fulvias. (a Fulvia picture was on my bedroom wall as a boy, a bit girly I know but a beautiful car)
Can someone tell me who owns that Mk1 Capri? I need to go round there and rearrange his facial features. Painting that bonnet black on what is otherwise a pristine car! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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I chatted to the Stratos (replica) owner for a while. His car has a modified twin cam 4 engine but of course you can pretty much put in anything you want, Alfa 164 V6 engines are popular.
I had a sit inside, with the very wide sill, low roof and bucket seats it's neither graceful nor swift to get in and out. The advantage of a replica like this is they were basically kit cars to start with so you can quite happily put Fiat switches and dials in there, knowing they're as authentic as Lancia did. A wonderful thing!
My VW is on the msn photo collection too :-)
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Painting that bonnet black on what is otherwise a pristine car! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
It was "standard" on certain Capris. I can't remember which trim, possibly XLR or GT.
Therefore your comment is ... GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Regards
Paul
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OK - Question for Gareth - I had a look on the MSN photo's - so which is your VW of the five shown?
Please tell me it was the VERY pretty black Beetle Cabriolet and not the 'Rat Look' Beetle with 'in rust we trust ' written on the back.
Alternatively that rather nice looking red Beetle rather than the 'Aussie Camper Van' with the chrome wheels.
Or was it Herbie???
Do tell...
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I had another look. I miscounted the number of VW's.
I missed the very nice Mk 1 Golf and the Beach Buggy with the VW engine and another much nicer camper van.
There are some very desirable cars shown.
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OK - Question for Gareth - I had a look on the MSN photo's - so which is your VW of the five shown?
Mine is Herbie - actually a late '60s racer style with Porche 356 drum brakes, decambered swing axles, camber compensator, high ratio gearbox, balanced crankshaft, rods & pistons, high lift camshaft and a couple of twin Weber carbs. Pretty modest for a hot VW but it's lighter than a Lotus Elise....
I imported it from Sweden where cars seem to last 20 years longer (just because they don't salt the roads?) and built it up over a year, including welding in an original sunroof section.
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weren't black bonnets the original 'go faster stripe'? something about a hot engine being more efficient?
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My mate had a matt-black bonnet with stick-on number plate on his 1390cc Hillman Minx in 1966. He thinks Ford stole the idea from him...
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