PETROL-HEADS are being invited to view a dazzling array of around eight four-wheeled beauties at this year’s Bishampton Summer Fete.
Ranging from the late 1920s right through to the 21st century, the cars all have different claims to fame, all with some fascinating automobile history.
Pride of place must go to a dazzling emerald green Jaguar XK8, the villain Zao’s car in the James Bond film, ‘Die Another Day’ (2002), courtesy of the Jaguar Daimler Trust.
In terms of classics from earlier years, there are also some real winners.
For those with a taste for speed on display will be a 1935 4.5 litre Lagonda sports car polished to perfection and originally built by a company founded in Staines by American and former opera singer Wilbur Gunn who hailed from Lagonda in Ohio.
Gunn originally built motorcycles and then moved into car manufacture – his company was eventually bought by David Brown Tractors.
Also on show will be one of the earliest ever MG sportscars in the immaculate 18/80 from 1928.
Jaguar fans too will be thrilled with a unique 1953 Jaguar C-Type – a racing sports car sold from 1951 to 1953, the “C” standing for “competition”. The car on display is extremely rare as most surviving ‘C’ types have been restored to showroom condition whereas the one on show, owned by the same family for the last 35 years, carries the scars of its 66 year history with pride.
Jaguar first won Le Mans in 1951 with Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead driving to a brilliant victory and a young hot shot called Stirling Moss took the lap record in his works ‘C’ Type.
From the fast and furious to the popular ‘sit-up and beg’ variety. The 1933 Austin Ten Colwyn Tourer is an example of the company’s best-selling car in the 1930s. From its launch in 1932 it continued in production, with upgrades, until 1947, fitting between their Austin Seven (introduced in 1922) and the Austin Twelves (updated in January 1931).
Visitors will also see a gleaming 1933 Austin 12 Sports Tourer which would also turn heads in its day when small capacity six-cylinder engines were in vogue. The Light Twelve-Six was Austin’s version featuring a new side-valve engine, initially 1496 cc. The one on display would have cost the princely sum of £275.
Tim King, chair of the fete organising committee and also a keen member of Midland Automobile Club said: “ We are absolutely thrilled that owners have let us have these cars on loan for the day.
“Most people rarely get to see such shining examples of engineering and automobile history, so it is a genuine privilege to have them on show at Bish Bosh Bash for old and young to appreciate.”
Bishampton’s Summer Fete, Bish Bosh Bash, is taking place earlier this year, on Saturda, June 29 from 1.30pm to 4.30pm at St. James’ Church in Bishampton.
Call Tim King on 01386 462077 or e-mail Lesley Miller on lesleymiller [email protected]
