autofantasia's photos

This is one of the shots I nearly used for this week's Sunday Challenge , which had the theme of metallic . It's an interior shot of a 1931 Ford Model A hot rod. Like my main entry for the challenge, it too is one from the archives. In fact, it was taken at the same event as said main entry: Classic on Show . Just goes to show the diversity of exhibits on display!

This week's Sunday Challenge had the theme of metallic and although I did take several shots this week with the theme in mind, in the end I've opted for a shot I took a while back, but have never posted. It was taken at Classic on Show on the outskirts of Stokesley earlier this year and the subject is an old bicycle, which was made by Hetchins. I'm not sure of the age of this particular bike, but for over 75 years Hetchins have apparently been building superior quality lugged steel frames for the discerning enthusiast and racer so it could be very old indeed. Hyman ('Harry') Hetchin actually started selling bicycles in the 1920s; later he acquired himself a partner and frame builder, Jack Denny. Victory in the World and Olympic Championships in 1936 entitled Hetchin to display the champion's colour bars on his transfers. The elegance and fine workmanship of the frames have made the marque legendary. You can find out more about the history of the marque, model types and frames of special interest by visiting the site below: www.hetchins.org It's also worth pointing out that Hetchins are apparently still very much in demand and are produced today by Hetchins Lightweights. The latest model is called the Magnum Opus Ultralite and you can find out more about new production by visiting the site below: www.hetchins.com

Not another detail shot of that lovely GTI, but this time of the beautiful Mk2 Golf with the G60 wheels from earlier. Like I said before, this is one car I could happily live with! For those with a short memory I've included a shot of the car overall in the Notes.

1983 saw the introduction of the Golf Mk2 that grew slightly in terms of wheelbase, exterior and interior dimensions, while retaining, in a more rounded form, the Mk1's overall look. This detail shot is of a stunning GTI version manufactured in 1990.

Found this rather tired 'ratty' Mk2 Jetta in the car park ... basically a Golf with a boot stuck on. Sadly, this one can't now be found on the DVLA site so it may have be lost to that great car park in the sky!

Following the Volkswagen Group's acquisition of Audi in 1964, Volkswagen used new engineering expertise to develop a modern front-wheel drive car with a water-cooled engine, and thus the Passat and Golf (the latter being introduced in 1974) were the first of a new generation of Volkswagen cars. The original Volkswagen Passat, launched in 1973 and produced until 1981, shared a modern fastback design, styled by the infamous Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. This rather sorry looking 5-door version was, if you saw my comment earlier, I think a barn find of sorts. It certainly has that look about it and it was ripe for restoration/modification.

Here's another for those that like the more recent Golfs to be red hot and very, very low. No licence plate on this so can't be sure of the details, but I reckon it's a Mk4 or a Mk3. Love those eyebrows on the lights as they give it a rather evil looking face!

And here's that Mk4 Golf again, this time in its entirety. Interestingly, this car is no longer to be found on the DVLA database ... be interesting to know what happened to it?

Here's another detail shot of that 'red hot' Golf from earlier that was parked near the trophy table!

Sunshine, hot cars, trophies and men downing cooled drinks .... sounds like the recipe for a pretty good car show ... and it was!

No matter how good the show is, I guess it's always nice to find a quiet corner away from the crowds!

In 1971, a new Beetle model featuring MacPherson strut front suspension and a redesigned front end was launched alongside the "standard" Beetle, which continued in production. Officially known (and marketed in Europe) as the VW 1302 from 1971 to 1972, and VW 1303 from 1973 onwards, but commonly called Super Beetle. The one you see here (TYH 495M), was actually manufactured in 1973, thus making it a 1303, and was found parked up alongside a rather tidy Transporter (HAX 143C). This old bus was made in 1965, making it almost as old as me, but was only first registered here in 2008. Not sure which one the giant was pointing at!

Yet another Type 2 for you to digest, this time a more utilitarian pick-up version.

Here's that 1960/2008 bus from the rear with the main show ground and Heaves Hotel itself in the distance.

Well, we have a saying in the UK that you wait ages for a bus and then two come along at once, but rarely do they look this good! Interestingly, the oldest of the two was only registered here in 2008 so I guess it must be a recent import.

This one's for Wendi ... I'm afraid I don't seem to have a shot of the whole bus.

Sorry, but I couldn't help myself ... I promise this is the last shot of this car. To be honest I thought this little guy was rather cute!

This one's for Norm who I know loves it when people stick things onto cars! Oh, and a word of warning to Adrian ... do not view this large! And just in case anyone is wondering, this is not the result of over processing!