Terrific turnout for free C&SC-backed show on its debut

By James Elliott

| 5 Dec 2013

More than 2000 enthusiasts attended the first Chateau Impney Speed Celebration on 4 December.

Over 100 of them arrived at the free event in classic cars, helping to create an ad hoc show bristling with wonderful variety.

There was everything from Austin A40 Sports to Volvo PV544, a lovely Salmson and a Cluley that had belonged to the manufacturer.

There was a particularly good turn-out from the Bromsgrove and District MG Owners' Club.

A sweet Gilbern nestled among the moderns, as did a lovely trio of Alvises.

As rare as anything on show was Standard Vanguard Phase III estate and, nearby, a Peerless.

Although the event was focused around an H&H auction (click here for full report and results), there were other activities for attendees to take in spread across three exhibition halls.

Attractions included dealers and specialists, automobilia stands and a central display of some wonderful competition cars, many of them with period history at the Chateau Impney Speed Trials of the 1950s and '60s.

They included the ex-Phil Scragg HWM-Jaguar, ERA, Bugatti T51, BRM, Casear Special and Fairley Special

Given the experimental nature of the free event, visitors generally gave it a thumbs up. One said: "It's great. The weather's lovely, we didn't have anything else to do today and it's free – what's not to like?"

C&SC backed the event and magazine editor Alastair Clements added: "Given that this is the first year and a new kind of show-cum-auction, we were delighted with the support shown by enthusiasts.

"I can only see it getting bigger and better both in terms of attendance and what activities and attractions are on offer for visitors, especially if the full Chateau Impney Hillclimb revival gets the go-ahead for 2015."

More photos