Ford Torino Well what a week! Brexit is a reality and it has already resulted in the implosion of our political parties, turmoil on the markets and stern words/actions from our EU counterparts. At a time when our elected representatives need to be completely focussed upon enacting “Article 50” and planning our EU exit strategies, they are fighting amongst themselves for who is/was right/wrong and who is going to lead the parties into the future.
It would appear that our politicians didn’t expect Brexit so made no contingency plans (Cameron’s was simply to resign) and the “Leavers” didn’t expect to win, so had no actual plans either - and so far have only admitted to propaganda failures and empty rhetoric.
And Boris Johnson’s decided not to step up to the vacant leadership role at the Conservative party. If he did, he would have to clear up a lot of mess of his making.
Brilliant!
But I have no intention of writing a mopey, depressing or dark post.
Because on the side of brightness, Adele was brilliant at Glastonbury (I watched her on the telly) and so were Coldplay, ELO and ZZ Top. In all the doom and gloom (politics and weather), it seems to me that music brings people together better than referendums.
And that brings me to cars, which appropriately for this post, are also good for bringing people together, not to mention transporting them to the getting-together location.
If you haven’t already guessed, this post concludes my June vehicle related article extravaganza. It’s all about cars…
…again.
Because on the 19th June I went to the American Auto Club International (AACI) Summer Open Nationals event at Billing Aquadrome. It has taken me a while to get around to the write up because, to be frank, there have been some distractions. But a review is still worthwhile because it was a cracking outing and you might want to go to the next one.
In a similar way to the National Street Rod Association fun run (attended on 5th June – review available), concessions circled the main show field and US automobiles of all decades formed the equivalent of a massive car park in the middle.
Outside of the concessions perimeter, there was also a collection of HGV tractor units that included some imposing, beautifully detailed, vintage Kenworth and Peterbilt rigs.
I wandered around the showground for a few hours taking photos and dreaming about owning car after car. There were a number of vehicles on show that I recognised from my previous trip; there were a lot for sale too. I found myself reflecting that for the same kind of money as an era equivalent UK Ford or Vauxhall, you could have an American car instead. And boy would you get more car for your money – size, specification, power, style, distinctiveness, opposite sex impressing potential etc. One Mustang I photographed was even right hand drive (and from the factory).
Admittedly there would be some challenges too – outrageous fuel consumption; the size of the average UK garage/driveway vs the length/width of the average American barge; the safe navigation of UK B roads; the negotiation of smaller UK roundabouts; and in the case of some of the big 70s Cadillacs, people thinking you are either a pimp, an entertainment agent or a drug dealer.
Perhaps surprisingly, parts availability might be less of a problem than you’d face owning a UK historic.
So the next time I have some money to spend on a classic car, *SHOCK ANNOUNCEMENT*, it might not be another Vauxhall Viva derivative.
Whilst the 60s/70s muscle cars fired my imagination/desire the most, it was an eighties car that stopped me in my tracks.
One exhibitor had brought along a black Firebird that was modified inside and out to look like KITT from TV series, Knight Rider. For all I know it could have been a genuine show car, seriously, it was that good.
As I mooched around, I realised that I was smiling a lot and feeling a genuine degree of happiness. I got chatting to some vehicle owners who were, justifiably, proud of their machines; I engaged with some stall holders selling their wares; I took so many photos that my CF card got full and needed clearing down…so that I could take some more.
Over 300 photos later (336 in all - those are just the ones I have left), I was making my way out of the ground when a race engineered 1964 Dodge Polara rumbled past me. Having been too slow to get my camera out of its case, I turned around and walked all the way back to the arena to find the car and take a picture.
I was pleased I did because doing so meant I met up with a neighbour/buddy of mine from down my street. And having been on the verge of leaving, I spent another happy hour at the show. Having advised Mrs B. that I’d only be out for a couple of hours, by the time I got home, it had been four.
But by way of luck, the 19th was also Father’s Day and that meant I was cut loads of slack. I can report that the day saw some great gifts/cards, some great cars and no grief. Thank you Mrs and junior Baldwins.
And thank you to the AACI for organising an exciting show, I’ll make sure I go again next year.
In the meantime, if you like the review/photos, you should know that the AACI late summer open nationals take place at Billing on 19th August 2016. Whilst I won’t be able to make that date; maybe you’d like to go. Put it in your diary.
I’ll be going to Billing again though in July. The VBOA all Vauxhall car club rally is on the 17th.
Click on any image below to enlarge it.
It would appear that our politicians didn’t expect Brexit so made no contingency plans (Cameron’s was simply to resign) and the “Leavers” didn’t expect to win, so had no actual plans either - and so far have only admitted to propaganda failures and empty rhetoric.
And Boris Johnson’s decided not to step up to the vacant leadership role at the Conservative party. If he did, he would have to clear up a lot of mess of his making.
Brilliant!
But I have no intention of writing a mopey, depressing or dark post.
Because on the side of brightness, Adele was brilliant at Glastonbury (I watched her on the telly) and so were Coldplay, ELO and ZZ Top. In all the doom and gloom (politics and weather), it seems to me that music brings people together better than referendums.
And that brings me to cars, which appropriately for this post, are also good for bringing people together, not to mention transporting them to the getting-together location.
If you haven’t already guessed, this post concludes my June vehicle related article extravaganza. It’s all about cars…
…again.
Because on the 19th June I went to the American Auto Club International (AACI) Summer Open Nationals event at Billing Aquadrome. It has taken me a while to get around to the write up because, to be frank, there have been some distractions. But a review is still worthwhile because it was a cracking outing and you might want to go to the next one.
In a similar way to the National Street Rod Association fun run (attended on 5th June – review available), concessions circled the main show field and US automobiles of all decades formed the equivalent of a massive car park in the middle.
Outside of the concessions perimeter, there was also a collection of HGV tractor units that included some imposing, beautifully detailed, vintage Kenworth and Peterbilt rigs.
I wandered around the showground for a few hours taking photos and dreaming about owning car after car. There were a number of vehicles on show that I recognised from my previous trip; there were a lot for sale too. I found myself reflecting that for the same kind of money as an era equivalent UK Ford or Vauxhall, you could have an American car instead. And boy would you get more car for your money – size, specification, power, style, distinctiveness, opposite sex impressing potential etc. One Mustang I photographed was even right hand drive (and from the factory).
Admittedly there would be some challenges too – outrageous fuel consumption; the size of the average UK garage/driveway vs the length/width of the average American barge; the safe navigation of UK B roads; the negotiation of smaller UK roundabouts; and in the case of some of the big 70s Cadillacs, people thinking you are either a pimp, an entertainment agent or a drug dealer.
Perhaps surprisingly, parts availability might be less of a problem than you’d face owning a UK historic.
So the next time I have some money to spend on a classic car, *SHOCK ANNOUNCEMENT*, it might not be another Vauxhall Viva derivative.
Whilst the 60s/70s muscle cars fired my imagination/desire the most, it was an eighties car that stopped me in my tracks.
One exhibitor had brought along a black Firebird that was modified inside and out to look like KITT from TV series, Knight Rider. For all I know it could have been a genuine show car, seriously, it was that good.
As I mooched around, I realised that I was smiling a lot and feeling a genuine degree of happiness. I got chatting to some vehicle owners who were, justifiably, proud of their machines; I engaged with some stall holders selling their wares; I took so many photos that my CF card got full and needed clearing down…so that I could take some more.
Over 300 photos later (336 in all - those are just the ones I have left), I was making my way out of the ground when a race engineered 1964 Dodge Polara rumbled past me. Having been too slow to get my camera out of its case, I turned around and walked all the way back to the arena to find the car and take a picture.
I was pleased I did because doing so meant I met up with a neighbour/buddy of mine from down my street. And having been on the verge of leaving, I spent another happy hour at the show. Having advised Mrs B. that I’d only be out for a couple of hours, by the time I got home, it had been four.
But by way of luck, the 19th was also Father’s Day and that meant I was cut loads of slack. I can report that the day saw some great gifts/cards, some great cars and no grief. Thank you Mrs and junior Baldwins.
And thank you to the AACI for organising an exciting show, I’ll make sure I go again next year.
In the meantime, if you like the review/photos, you should know that the AACI late summer open nationals take place at Billing on 19th August 2016. Whilst I won’t be able to make that date; maybe you’d like to go. Put it in your diary.
I’ll be going to Billing again though in July. The VBOA all Vauxhall car club rally is on the 17th.
Click on any image below to enlarge it.
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