Motor show is a real classic

More than 7,500 motor enthusiasts and families turned up at Weston Park to see a host of vehicles from old Mark 2 Jaguars and an Aerial motorcycle to military tanks and traction engines.

With old Triumph and Hillman cars as well as a variety of Land Rovers, motorcycles, tractors and buses, there were around 1,600 exhibitors with their pride and joy – many lovingly restored from wrecks – lining the main grounds of the stately home. As well as look at their favourite vehicles, children could also have a go on fairground rides, bouncy castles and the park's woodland adventure playground.

There were so many people arriving at the gates for the opening of the event at 10am that there were two-and-a-half mile tailbacks both ways along the A5. Organisers were thrilled with the turnout and hope today will be just as successful.

Geoff Price, of Transtar Promotions, said: "It's going exceptionally well. We would like to apologise for the delays outside while the exhibitors were arriving but the entrance couldn't take the weight of traffic.

"The weather has been kind to us today after last year when it was so cold it did not rise above freezing. It's a very good start to the year."

Among the myriad of exhibitors were Helen Tindill, aged 24, and her father Albert Dean, 51, from Cannock, who were there with their 69-year-old Studebaker fire engine which worked for the Neshanic Volunteer Fire Company in US from 1951 to 1972.

After finishing its life as a fire engine it was shipped over to the UK for an American-themed diner in Bury, Lancashire and eventually sold to a man in Somerset who kept it for years in his chicken barn.

Father and daughter have been working to restore it for five years and it is still an on-going project. Mrs Tindill, of Pye Green, said: "It was a complete wreck when we bought it.

"It is the first thing I've ever restored and it'll probably be the last because it takes up so much of our time.

"It's become almost part of the family. I'd be devastated if we sold it. I love working on it, I love driving it, I love taking pictures of it. It's been a labour of love and a job worth doing.

"The whole atmosphere of all these shows and the great people you meet, it's just a lovely place to come because everyone has got the same interests as you and everyone knows what you've been through."

At the far end of the field are the military vehicles and tanks and among them, keeping military history alive were Mike Law and Neil Bishop, of Black Country at War Displays, with their Lightweight army Land Rover dating back from 1979 complete with munitions and radio equipment. They were also raising money for Help the Heroes charity to help current servicemen and their families injured in conflict.

Not surprisingly, the vehicles attracted attention from young children with their grandparents and Mr Bishop, a 45-year-old BT engineer from Stourport, said keeping history alive for the young made it worthwhile.

He said: "The best thing about it is when you get an old soldier saying that they have not seen it for donkeys years and it's a nostalgic thing for them. And there are children who come with their grandads who tell them about what it was like to serve which keeps the history alive."

Mr Law, who served in the army from 1964 to 1974 and is from Dudley, said the group do various charity events throughout the year and were looking for new members with army equipment and vehicles to join them. Call 01384 257909 for more information.

The Birmingham Land Rover Group were also there with their cars set up on an expedition theme.

Darren Carey, aged 39, of Acocks Green, Birmingham, was there with his Land Rover Series 3 which dates from 1981.

Not only a car to transport him from A to B, he claims it saved his life while he was on his way home from work at the Land Rover factory in Solihull three years ago.

A bus crashed into his car and mounted his bonnet but he survived to tell the tale. He said: "It saved my life. I had severe bruising to the pelvis and whiplash but lived to tell the tale."

He added: "This show is great. You can go camping on a little holiday away with a great bunch of people, our mates who are like the family you choose."

Trevor and Carol Walters, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, were also there with their 1955 Albion Nimbus which is a prototype and is the only one of its kind in the world.

It was a working bus up until 1973 and lay in scrap for many years.

Since the couple took it over and restored it in 1997, the couple have taken it to various shows, charity events and even along its old bus route when it was owned by Jimmy Berresford, around Cheddleton near Leek. Now fellow enthusiasts are sending them memorabilia about the bus.

Mr Walters, aged 66, said: "It's the only one in the world.

"It's different, it's smaller and being so unusual it is different to drive than a car or anything. It's a bit of a challenge." Also among the various buses was a green and cream, 1959 1294RE Guy Arab LUF Burlingham Seagull Body which is one of only seven surviving buses and did its rounds in Heath Hayes for the Harper Brothers.

Owned by John and Michele Watkins, from Great Barr, Birmingham, who met through their interest in buses 17 years ago, the bus took hundreds of hours over four years to restore.

Mr Watkins said: "In the 1950s you didn't have holidays you had two or three day trips on the bus and I had lots of memories of going on a bus like this to places like Rhyl.

"At events like this we often have people in tears who can't believe they are looking at a bus like that again. It's lovely, which is why we do it."

The show continues at the park today. Tickets cost £7 for adults and £3 for children.