A signature South-West staple of the motoring calendar returned with the twelfth annual Sidmouth Classic Car Show on September 21.

Everything from Porsche 911s to Ford Capris were parked amongst the 300 motors on display during the unexpectedly sunny day. The Sidmouth Classic Car Show is a time for everyone, young and old, whether interested in cars or not, to come together in the name of the automobile, whilst enjoying relaxing music and breathtaking sea views.

Mik Sansom’s 1993 SAAB 900 Turbo Ruby Edition, number 39 of just 150 made, looked wonderful, displaying Swedish Flags from its windows and a collection of model SAABs on the parcel shelf, detailing the evolution of the quirky car brand from 1949 to 2012.

Parked opposite was Richard Wyatt’s 1958 MGA, stripped down to the chassis 10 years ago when undergoing an extensive restoration, during which time the colour was changed from baby blue to British Racing Green.

Paul and Jonas Clay, a father and son Triumph duo displayed their Stag and Spitfire. Paul bought his 1976 Brunswick Green Stag in 2019 and underwent an 18-month process returning it to its former glory after it had been off the road for 17 years. The show can also throw up surprising reunions; Jonas’s yellow Spitfire turned out to be the very car one of the show’s attendees had bought in 1990 and hadn’t seen for 30 years!

Alongside the picnic hampers and Pimm's was the Team Hunt Historic racing 1975 Mini Cooper S, originally used as a school-run hatchback before being converted into a specialist rally racer. As people strolled around the collection of classics, sharing stories and making memories, I was offered the opportunity to sit in the snug interior of Tom Chandler’s 1973 Volvo 1800ES. Tom restored the car upon first buying it 36 years ago, even using it as his daily driver for a period.

READ MORE: Sidmouth's annual classic car show 2022

 

Some of the owners were relatively new to the classic car experience of the Sidmouth Show. Dave Dangerfield has owned his 1980 Ford Escort RS2000 for just two years. Dave said “The biggest benefit of car ownership is the fact that it connects people together. I know people who have travelled all the way from Birmingham and Essex to be here today.”

Whether concours or clapped out, every classic car has a story to tell; a story worth celebrating. There was a great sense of inclusion and community with car lovers from across the country sharing the joys and jubilations of the classic motoring world. A beer in hand, some swing music playing and the smell of petrol and leather - it doesn’t get much better than that!

The annual show is organised by Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce and supported by Devon Crash Box and Classic Car Club. Once again, providing musical accompaniment to the day’s events were City Stream Jazz and the close vintage harmony trio the Liberty Sisters.