18th May. Chilton Hills Classic car show
- just1idea
- Oct 14
- 3 min read
Spending my Sunday off, looking at, instead of driving cars today. But today is an annual event I only knew about and started going to because the dealership I was manager of sponsors this gathering. It's officially called the Chilton Hills Classic Car Show. But there is a music stage and lots of stalls selling classic car parts, food of all kinds and various car related memorabilia and other things.
Some of the people I worked with here have classic cars and show them. The dealership also has the main biggest stand, right on the entrance. Where they obviously show a selection of the new cars they sell. From MG to Ford, Vauxhall, Peugeot and now Imoda and Jaecoo. The Chinese brands which are taking over the world.
It's not a whole day for me. But it's a chance to get out in my 1996 BMW 328i convertible and get the roof down and have a blast to get her running. She's not in the show. I don't like attention. But she's amongst the other cars in the car park and I'm sure happier for it.
My ex colleague has an E30 318i in the show and it's a very nice example of the car.
I always wanted to swap my E36 for the earlier model but my late wife always refused to sell. I'm kinda glad now as I've had the 328 for nearly 15 years and I now can't bring myself to sell her.
And this is me who, really doesn't get attached to cars. But having driven her to Sicily. And then back this year. I've grown to love the way she drives.
The show, for me is just an excuse to have a look at all the cars from my past. Alda is with me and not really a car person but it's a good excuse to get out together.
Seeing so many cars from my past experience, either through ownership or work always makes me feel lucky to have been alive for this huge collection of vehicles I have known.
From my days as an apprentice with a British Leyland dealer in the mid 70s. Working on a collection of cars as varied as the original Mini, Austin and Morris. MG, Triumph, Rover, all independent brands brought under the BL umbrella in the 70s with disastrous results.
So I worked on, among many others.
The Allegro, Mini, 1300 range. Princess range, original Range Rover, Maxi, Marina, MG BGT, Midget, Triumph GT6 and Spitfire. Triumph 2000,2500, Dolomite (Sprint) TR7, Stag. Princess 2.0 and six cylinder models. Wolsey 1300 and the 1800 and six cylinder cars. Sherpa Vans. Leyland DAF as they became. The learning curve was huge and steep.
If you compare this to today and the VW group who have taken so many brands into the huge company.
British Leyland was way ahead of it's time. Unfortunately the rest is history and whatever side of politics you are on you can blame the workforce for constant strikes and work to rule. Or horrendously poor management on all levels .
The decline had to start somewhere. So I'm blaming the management for starting the decline but shit rolls downhill and spreads.
When I look at cars today. We drive much better, faster, safer and hugely technically and technologically advanced vehicles . Having rose tinted glasses to say cars back then are better. It's just nostalgia talking. Although I do like the fun elements of older cars. You just can't enjoy them now.
But looking at them all . And remembering most of them. I am so happy to have loved in the era I have. But I'm getting old 🫢
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