Wednesday 1st July 2009
On what has been possibly the hottest day of the year so far, approximately 400 classic, vintage and veteran cars assembled at Luton Hoo for the first ever ‘Classics in the Walled Garden’. Organised by Peter Madden, who stood down recently from the hugely successful ‘Classics on the Common’ in Harpenden (Hertfordshire), the event was a great success. Cars began to arrive at 4.00pm, some inevitably struggling in the heat as the queue to enter the walled garden began to grow; however, the excellent marshalling meant that there were no actual problems. Attending in John Sutton’s 1930 Austin 7 ‘Ulster’ I had to really rev the car to negotiate the rather long grass of the ‘garden’ but eventually parked up perfectly courtesy of the marshals. What makes an event of this type so pleasurable is the array of cars on display, from over one hundred years of motoring; even more pleasing is the fact that they had all arrived under their own steam. Alongside a 1900 Daimler one could see an Enzo Ferrari, an immaculate Morris Minor Traveller, a C Type Jaguar, various Vauxhalls including a 30-98 and a 20-63 as well as a very interesting T Type Hurlingham with a beautiful upturned boat tail, MGs from the 1930s to the 1970s and any number of more modern ‘classics’. The event organisers had provided a good-sized beer tent with a good selection of well-priced local beers – an absolute godsend given the heat. Food was also available, although many, like me, brought their own picnics. A band played suitably vintage music, which added to what was an already perfectly period atmosphere. Hats off to Peter and his team for such an excellent event; I’m already looking forward to next year…
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