It was a perfect day for a drive and the venue proved ideal for a family outing. The children in the group were particularly impressed with the barnyard section, playgrounds and other facilities for younger visitors.

Bill Hocking, an enthusiastic member of the car group, gave a lively presentation on some of his recent motoring-related acquisitions. He has discovered that his two new Rolls Royce models, of the 1934 Phantom II and the 1906 Silver Ghost, are valuable collector's items. The car owners were most interested in his talk on these iconic cars.

Bill is also in the process of polishing up two new cars, his 1948 MG TC and 1927 Chevrolet, both still in remarkably good condition. The previous owner had kept them both on blocks and under wraps for many years and he was looking forward to having them out and about and on the road again. Interestingly, Bill said he would ensure the mechanics were in good working order, but was not going to overdo the restoring process.

This was in line with current trends, which emphasised preserving old models rather than restoring them to look brand new. Bill explained how the patina of age, the bumps, scratches, faded paint and rust, were all part of the car's story and made it what it was. By completely restoring it to its former glory a car would lose its unique character.

Sports and Specials is an informal group of motoring enthusiasts who meet once a month for a breakfast run. Anyone with any interesting vehicle is welcome to join them.

Article written by: Judi Davis