Footman James South and West Mini Show and Great Western Autojumble

Cold, wet weather over a February weekend didn’t deter classic enthuiasts from driving their treasured cars to the Royal Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet… Kim Henson was there.

The various popular classic Footman James events held at Shepton Mallet are enjoyed by many enthusiasts from across the south west of the UK (and further afield), and the first one of the year 2013 was no exception.

Held over a damp and dismal weekend on 9th/10th February, the Footman James South and West Mini Show and Autojumble attracted a great many Minis and their owners, who enjoyed looking around the wide variety of examples on display. In addition, many found useful components in the autojumble, which (unsurprisingly) featured Mini parts galore.

However, there was autojumble stock on offer for other makes and models too. Speaking personally, I came home with some tools I needed, some cylinder head gaskets for project vehicles, some paint and various other bits and pieces.

I also spent some time in the Charterhouse Auction area, having a good look at the vehicles on offer. I was especially attracted to the Daimler DB 17 (please see photo), but was tempted as well by a pristine-looking Morris Minor Traveller, and a tidy Wolseley 1500.

The visitors’ ‘classic car park’ was packed with automotive treats; in addition to the many Minis, there were cars ranging from Austins to Aston Martins, Fords to Lotus models, Triumphs, French classics, a lovely Lancia Aurelia, you name it! I felt that it was great to see so many old vehicles out and about, being used and enjoyed.

Another very nice aspect of these events is that they give classic car owners the chance to meet up with like-minded friends and acquaintances  from across the region (and indeed from around the U.K.), to chat and compare notes about their various complete vehicles and project cars.

This event, and its heavy dose of clasic car enthusiasm, cheered me up, and I am already looking to the Footman James 34th Bristol Classic Car Show and Auction, scheduled for the weekend of 20th and 21st April, 2013.

www.bristolclassiccarshow.co.uk

For many enthusiasts attending the Show, the car park was well worth exploring, as the event attracted a large number of diverse classics, including this Austin Seven Chummy, the smart Ford Cortina Mark II alongside it, and the Austin A40 Farina on the other side of it.

Fancy a Toledo? This very tidy Triumph was spotted in the car park, with a asking price of £1,750.

BMC Mini components galore were on offer, including a wealth of body panels and repair sections.

Anyone looking for an unused grille for a front wheel drive MG 1100 would have come up trumps at this autojumble stall, which also had grilles for sale for standard and Clubman versions of the BMC Mini, plus all sorts of other spares.

I like this one! For sale in the Charterhouse Auction (held on the Sunday of the event) was this lovely Daimler DB17 sports saloon, recently resprayed and with much mechanical work having been carried out, but still with its original interior. It is beleieved that this car was THE example on the Daimler stand at the 1938 Earls Court (London)( Motor Show. It sold for £6,800.

Only the brave need apply… I was told that I didn’t need another project, so I didn’t bid! This 1923 Matchless M2 motorcycle and sidecar combination had been in the same Dorset family from new, and had not been used since 1960 (it was still showing its 1960 tax disc). Wonderful! It fetched £12,000…