SEVEN INGREDIENTS FOR THE IDEAL OUTDOOR CLASSIC CAR SHOW

The 6^th March was the date for the 2024 Cowley Convoy from the BMW MINI factory to Lord Nuffield’s house near Henley-on-Thames. And as my Wolseley headed through Oxfordshire to join the event, and throughout the day, the Convoy reminded me of seven ingredients for a splendid outdoor classic car show:

1. This event had a 1972 ex-Water Board Mini Van, complete with the roof-top vent, sliding windows and a ‘fug-stirrer’ heater of limited efficiency. And then there was a fine example of a Rover 600, a 1990s car worthy of great respect, a blue MGB GT, and a 1966 Wolseley Hornet Mk. II – the sort of car a young Margot Ledbetter must have favoured. Nuffield Place also hosted a last-of-the-line Montego Countryman, a customised 1968 Mini Van, and its BMW-badged great-grandchildren. There was even a 1985 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur that looked as though it had been driven from an early episode of Howard’s Way. All this, plus a certain 1960 London Met. Spec. Traffic Wolseley 6/99.

2. Good weather. To be fair, the approach to the BMW plant at Cowley was reminiscent of a 1960s black-and-white British crime film, with the Wolseley’s fog lamps peering through a mist. However, by midday, the sun did shine, which was a decided advantage – the 6/99’s heater is not renowned for its efficiency, and I am not overkeen on taxing the dynamo.

3. Book Stalls or a Book Shop. Nuffield Place had a splendid outlet selling fine publications such as Classic & Sports Car. However, there was also a distinct lack of 20-year-old biographies of various early 2000s micro-celebrities, which is always an advantage in a retail establishment.

4. Remarkable stories. It pays to ask an owner about the other cars in their fleet at any show. Through such a casual enquiry, I discovered that one showgoer is currently restoring one of the rarest British Leyland cars—a Government Car Service Wolseley 2200 ‘Wedge’ Automatic. HM Govt commissioned a twenty-strong fleet from BL in 1975 for mid-ranking ministers and watch this space for a further blog!

5. A coffee stall selling the finest sausage rolls available to humanity.

6. Gracious surroundings – Nuffield Place is always worth a visit.

7. Most importantly, the people – the owners, the clubs, the staff at the venue, and the organisers' charm, skill and tireless efforts. As with a swan, enthusiasts such as Tanya Field appear to glide between cars, yet the event takes weeks and months of planning.

In short, without the dedication of people such as Tanya, there would be no events. That is why I cannot wait for the 2025 run.