| Friday, 16th of
February 2007: After another week of phone calls, meetings and sending out
entry tickets, the day had arrived for the Bristol Hotrods contingent to set up
their display at the Bath and West show ground at Shepton Mallet. |
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New BHR banners were
produced by Engravatec in
Bristol. |
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Unfortunately,
two cars were forced to pull out during the preceding week. Nick Barnett's car
was unavailable, as his new wheels were still in transit from the USA. This was
a shame as his model B pick-up chassis was on show in the previous year, and it
had attracted a lot of interest.
Phil Thomas' '32 3-window had developed a
leaky radiator, with no time available to effect a repair. |
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| We decided to
call upon one reserve car, and to use the remaining space to erect Dr Bob's
gazebo. With more cars and owners in attendance, this would give us a neat
communal sitting area. |
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| Our exhibitors
continued to arrive throughout the afternoon, as and when their work
commitments allowed, up until the show organizers' normal 6 pm cut off
time. |
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Final
preparation.. |
Jeff Clements
and his 'T' were the last to arrive, as his company had put a late work load
his way, and he was a little stressed to say the least.
The show doors
were due to be opened to the public at 10 am on the Saturday, and as I
left the show ground at 8.15 pm, Jeff was still polishing the T - but now
he was more relaxed, the cleaning session having mellowed him
considerably. |
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Jeff Clements'
L'il Henry T-bucket |
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The BHR exhibition
area |
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By Saturday the cars
were all ready, with barriers in place and chairs positioned in the gazebo,
awaiting the arrival of the owners. The rest of the day was spent either
talking to old friends or viewing the other cars, and browsing the many trade
stands. |
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Foreground: Neil
Harmsworth's '59 Ford Pop,
then Pete Gale's ' 32 Ford Roadster |
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Neil
Harmsworth's '59 Ford Pop, a favourite with the Retro Rides guys |
| One of my first
conversations was with a couple of Victory Wheelers members who were promoting
their 30th anniversary show at Romsey. Unfortunately they had forgotten their
show flyers, but having visited Hayling and Thorney many times I doubt if that
will affect their attendance figures! You can visit the Victory Wheelers web
site through our 'Links' page. |
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Ian Walker's '29 A Sedan
and Rod Rich's '39 Ford coupe |
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Above and
right: Ian Walker's '29 A Sedan |
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We were also
visited by Retro
Rides, and knowing their publication had a Bath address, we talked about
the local scene. I was informed that although the publication had folded, a
healthy web site and forum had replaced it. Our meeting resulted in an
invitation to their 'Fastfest' show, early in July at Santa Pod, where we could
display club cars, and be allocated track time if required. |
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Dr Bob
Jefferies' '32 3-window coupe |
| Sunday was prize
giving day, and as last year we took one major award. Dr Bob Jefferies walked
off with best paint in the show, as Lee Pike had done in 2006. I think he was
well pleased, as besides the fact that he had painted it himself, it had
already been on the road for seven years. |
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Paul Stamp's '49 low rider
Mercury. |
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Rod Rich's 39 ford coupe,
and Lil'Josh, the rodded Tri-ang pedal car. |
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John and Lor Gay's '32
Ford roadster |
The rest of the
show went without a hitch and by 5 pm Sunday we were all away. A phone
call later that night from Dr Bob informed me that on the way home Rod Rich had
run out of petrol, and Steve Couzens (whose rodded Model Y was exhibited on the
side-valve owners stand) had sheared a bolt on his rear suspension, and had to
be relayed home.
My thanks to all who took part - I think we did street
rodding, and the NSRA, proud.
Phil Mitchell |
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Pete Moore's Fordson panel
van, and Craig House's '52 Ford Anglia |
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CC07 |
