British Car Day 2011

On the 13th of February 2011 the British Car Day was again held at Trentham Park. This was the 25th anniversary of this yearly event. They always seem to pick a day with magnificent weather and even if some vehicles are there every year, it's a good day out and there are always a few new "faces".

Restored Morris Minors are plentiful ,(but I still love 'em) but great to see a Morris Oxford of the similar body shape. I am sure the owner is very proud of this superb example with it's whitewalls, sun visor and period fog lamps.

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When XJ Jaguars first came out, a school-mate of mine's father road tested one and then dropped his son off at school one lunchtime. I was so jealous. Jaguar saloons have always been luxurious beasts and this series 2 XJC is no exception.

Insurance write-offs often get converted into something other than standard, but this is the first time I've seen a Rover SD 1 ute (pick-up)

I've never driven a  Triumph Vitesse, but my wife had a Triumph Herald when I first met her. Although it lacked a little in body panel fitment it drove remarkably well, especially at high speeds. Obviously set up for the British 70MPH speed limit of that time.
This Vitesse has the 2 litre motor and non standard wheels and tyres.

Hillman Minxes were a very popular mid-sized saloon in NZ, but despite their huge numbers not many are seen in this condition now.

This body-shape of the Rootes group saloon was my favorite. The flatter rear window and the smaller 13 inch wheels gave it a more modern appearance than the above photo. They also looked much better than the Super-Minx of the same era, which to me was just too boxy. Personally I prefer the frontal appearance of the Minx rather than this Singer Gazelle.
The very last of the Minxes (series VI) had the 1725cc motor and the all synchro box, but Rootes also chose to fit a strip type speedo, which to me was a backward step from the neat circular, white on black, Smithsdials of the series V.

Hillman Californias were rare.  Convertible examples must be an endangered species. Many years ago my brother-in-law's parents had a saloon version, in cream with a red roof.

MkIIs are my favorite Jaguar saloon. This one is parked next to an XK150.

A retired 1989 Rolls Royce hearse must now be a usefully roomy family station wagon.

Huge headlamps and that grille could only be a Rolls Royce. This example from 1934.

British Car Day also has a good turn out of British motor cycles. Unfortunately they are usually parked too close together to get good photos. This is a Norton 750 Commando. I once rode an 850 version of one of these and immediately noticed it's light weight and nimbleness compared with my own Kawasaki 900 of that time, although I felt the Kawasaki had a more comfortable riding position and better straight line stability. 

There's a Riley in our midst!.
From left to right: Wolseley 15/50, Riley 4/72, Wolseley 1500 and Wolseley 6/110.