The 16th annual C&SC Club Awards took place at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show last weekend, with Maserati scooping two of the most prestigious prizes – Best Large Club Stand and Car of the Show – in the most hotly contested awards in recent memory.
Stephen Dowling's 1962 Allemano-bodied 5000GTi – one of just 22 examples to emerge from the design house – was the judges' choice for the top gong. The Michelotti-penned masterpiece was a true rarity (only 32 were built), starring on the Maserati Club UK stand as well as Nick Mason's 250F.
The depth and quality of classic Tridents on display – 21 including two motorbikes – resulted in the club winning the award for Best Large Stand.
The hard-fought Best Themed Stand Award was won by the Morris Minor Owners' Club, which pulled out all the stops to create a fabulous Dad's Army tableau that saw many members dressed up as their favourite characters. Such was their dedication that Chris Akrill – otherwise known as Lance-Corporal Jones – even died his ginger hair blonde for the occasion. "The trouble is," he said, "my wife rather likes it so I'm stuck with it!"
The Online Austin Seven Club bagged the Best Small Stand award for its Lickeywood display, named after the hills behind the Austin factory, which had at its centre Laurel and Hardy arriving at a premier in an ex-Bernard Matthews promo van. Paparazzi cutouts surrounded the vehicle which, upon closer inspection, were members of the club. "We'd not been before, so we thought that we ought to make an effort," said Mac Watt.
