Ripon Spring Classic 2012

Time to start another album me thinks, this time for the Ripon Spring Classic in 2012. First on show is what was quite possibly the funkiest and wildest vehicle on display, this Type 181 from 1974.

The Hillman Minx was a series of cars produced under the Hillman marque by the Rootes Group between 1932 and 1970. There have been many versions of the Minx over the years, as well as various badge-engineered versions sold under the Humber, Singer, and Sunbeam marques. If you like these cars or are interested in reading more about the history of the Rootes Group you might like to visit the following site ... www.hillmanownersclub.co.uk

Love seeing this old Hunter as it brings back memories of travelling in the one my Dad had back in the Seventies. It too was white!

Here's another that brought back memories of days gone by as a Minor pick-up was my first 'project' car.

Reliant began planning a convertible in the late Seventies and the final design was based around the earlier GTE to create a beautifully proportioned four-seater with a good sized boot. The GTC, powered by a Ford 2.8 Cologne V6 engine, was launched in March 1980 and was well received by the motoring press. However, the country was heading into recession and so Reliant struggled to sell their £11,360 convertibles in great numbers. As a result many were left sitting at the factory for months until owners could be found. Today, the GTC is a very rare sight on our roads and is possibly the most desirable of the Scimitar models.

Another detail shot, this time of the engine on an old Ducati motorbike. Sadly, I don't have any other information on it.

You know, the more I see of these old trucks the more I can feel myself warming to them. So much so that if I could afford one I think I'd get one tomorrow!

Not sure what type of dog this is, but he just looked so cute lying beside those old cars that I had to take a shot!

1972 Volvo and an MG from 1938 were just two of the fabulous cars soaking up the North Yorkshire sunshine.

It might only have 948cc under the bonnet, but these little cars still appeal to me for some reason!

This Mk1 belongs to a friend from the Scirocco Register ... he's a lucky guy!

Another I never tire of seeing at the local shows!

Okay folks, anyone fancy a crusty pie?

They sure don't make them like this any more ... shame!

Now before you say, oh not another Daimler Sovereign look closely. In the mid-Seventies, Jaguar/Daimler introduced a short-lived two-door coupé version of the Series II using the short wheelbase and this is one of those rare beasts!

These rare vehicles are not widely known, and reportedly came about as a result of a letter written by a farming couple and sent to the Ford Motor Company of Australia. The letter was a request that Ford manufacture a truck that could be used for their light duty farm work, but which would also be comfortable enough for family outings and general errands. Then engineer, Lewis Bandt, set to work on the request by playing with a few sketches. He chose the front half of a sedan, curved off the rear, and mated it to a small pickup truck type bed. The final design was then approved, only for Ford Australia of course, and so in 1934 the production line began manufacturing the Ford Ute -- Ute, being the nickname for a utility vehicle ... a trend that continues to this day!

First time I'd come across one of these so I really should've taken an overall shot, but I appear not to have ... perhaps because this one was looking a little tired. Apparently the Ambassador was the top-of-the-line model produced by the American Motors Corporation (AMC) from 1958 until 1974. The official brochure for the 1972 range claimed that AMC had " Built it for the Smiths. And the Smythes. " ... whatever that was supposed to mean. See more of the original brochure by following the link below: oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/AMC/1972_AMC/1972%20AMC%20Full%20Line%20Brochure/index1.html

Just when you think you might have possibly seen everything ... along comes a vinyl wrapped Austin!