Vintage vehicles draw the crowds
A CONVOY of classic cars converged on Faversham at the weekend for the 16th annual Travel Through Time motor show.
Petrolheads descended on the town as a record 400 car, bus and motorcycle owners showcased their vehicles.
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DRESSED TO IMPRESS: Tim and Avril Ovenden dressed for the occasion with their 1931 Morris Minor
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MUSTANG SHIRLEY: Car enthusiasts Shirley Goudie and her husband Robert displayed their 1966 Mustang
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BUMPER YEAR: David Humfrey's 1928 Bentley Tourer was one of 400 exhibits at Faversham's Classic Car Show
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AGAINST THE ODDS: Robin Jenkins with his 1970 Bond Bug, which survived an arson attack that destroyed two other classic cars
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DRIVING FORCE: A record 400 exhibitors converged on Faversham for the 16th annual Classic Car Show GIBG20120520B-002_C
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PETROLHEADS: Francis Armstrong turned petrolheads with his 2004 Morgan plus8 GIBG20120520B-004_C
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STEPPING UP A GEAR: This year's car show attracted record crowds and exhibitors GIBG20120520B-001_C
Despite the miserable forecast for weather, the sun shone as 12,000 spectators – some from as far away as Northumbria – admired the rare vintage and classic machines.
Visitors could travel to Challock, Selling, Boughton, Oare and Graveney on vintage double-decker buses and learn about the history of the Second World War on board the Homefront bus museum at South East Coachworks in Preston Street.
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Among those exhibiting were Peter and Barbara Franklin of Lower Road, Faversham with a rare 1955 Morris Minor Series 2 van and one of the last Morris Minor pick-ups to be made from 1972.
Another highlight was a Triumph Spitfire car. The model is 50 years old this year.
The two-seater convertible was showcased outside the Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre during its first outing since being restored by Practical Classics magazine.
Whitstable car enthusiast Robin Jenkins was also at the show displaying his 1970 Bond Bug.
The 49-year-old company director lost two other classic cars – a rare Le Mans 1991 version of a Mazda MX5 sports car and a 1989 MGB Maestro Turbo – in an arson attack on his garage in Pierpoint Road, causing £40,000 in damage.
The surviving bright orange three-wheeler was Mr Jenkins' car when he was at university in the 1980s.
He sold it, but then bought it back nearly 20 years later when he discovered it in parts at another car show.
He said: "I'm glad I've still got my Bond Bug to display at these kinds of events. When I saw it at the car show I knew I had to have it back."
Other exhibitors travelled from London and the South East. Shops remained open on the Sunday and reported good trade as did the owners of hotels and bed and breakfasts.
Creek Creative served car-themed refreshments and a British Craftsmanship Show was at the Alexander Centre. A giant Scaletrix model car circuit was on show at Shepherd Neame's Old Brewery Store.
Ima Rix of organisers Faversham Enterprise Partnership said: "It was a really good weekend.
"We were worried because of the weather forecast but it stayed dry and the sun even came out.
"Saturday was busier than last year. A lot of people came long distances to make a weekend of it. The highlights were definitely the Spitfire and a Green Goddess fire engine."
Paramedics were called to help a man who suffered a suspected heart attack while at the car show.
Lowri Stafford
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