The 'E' Type Forum

A local event committee has an annual classic car and motorcycle show, which I had never attended. It was less than 10 mile away so we packed a picnic, some chairs and a table and turned up expecting to have to brave a shower or two.

It did rain briefly.
Mine was the only E-Type, in fact the only Jag. Others who braved the elements included a contingent of a local American Car Club, one of whom had done this to his car....

There is no excuse.....
Another car of interest was a very nicely turned out Lanchester.


When I wasn't taking photos of strange cars and other things....

...I spend my time talking to people asking about the car, usually an older chap who would always start the conversation by saying, "I used to have one of these, but I sold it for .....". So I chat to them about ther car, and the E-Type they had owned until they get bored. Some others looked under the bonnet at all the shiny bits, asking if it was a V8 or a V12. This quickly told me they were not mechanically minded so the conversation would have to remain banal.

The strangest thing was a board, leaning against the front of a Riley 1500 on which one chap appeared to have zip tied all the stuff from his garage he no longer had any use for.


I really couldn't see the purpose of this. Why would anyone display a box that once contained a Colortune kit? This chap thought it necessary to display two of them, along with a number of dead grease pumps, and assorted badges, radiator grills and horn pushes.

Ahh Chris....as the old saying goes...there's nowt odd as folk. There is a local chap around here I have seen at lots of shows. He has a huge 1950s Plymouth ( I think) that is all dressed up like a fifties diner with Elvis Presley music and fake hamburgers. He is a delightful chap if slightly eccentric
I was due at a big show today but on arrival the field was a morass and looked like the Somme so I abandoned and came home....shame but it would have been a tow to get out...

I suppose it is everybody to their own. What might seem strange to one guy might be wonderful to another. We all had to start somewhere depending on our budgets. These cars create a lot of interest to people of all ages and bring back memories to older people. There is no harm in them getting it wrong or telling you something about your car you have known for years. But it's all part of life's rich tapestry.

I think the buffalo horns might raise some interest at M.O.T time from the safety point of view!

Love that board display, looks like my garage. Nice to see someone as mad as Me. !

Where was it? I'm only half an hour away from you near Blandford......next year!!

Barry wrote:Where was it? I'm only half an hour away from you near Blandford......next year!!

Shaftesbury. Organised by the carnival committee as a fund raiser.

Ah, I did see some posters for that, and then forgot about it! Only 6 miles from me....talking of events, are you going to the Goodwood Revival? We are going on the Sunday.

And another very tiny local show, this time a village fete, with a classic car show on the side.

As I had expected, no other E-Types, not even another Jag. But lots of interesting cars.

This board is always displayed by my car.



It is a bit of a conversation starter for many who don't understand that cars can be as old as 50, but today I was well and truly trumped.



The information on the windscreen tells anyone who reads it that this particular Scripps - Booth model C (no I had never heard of it either) was 100 years old.

Porsches were over represented at 10% of the classics there, next popular car were Rileys, but there were also Triumphs, MGs, A Frog-eye Sprite, a Roller, and a very nicely restored Bedford Dormobile.

One chap stopped by and told me his E-Type story. He challenged one to a drag race from the lights. The E-Type owner was so taken aback he fluffed his start and stalled the engine, allowing this chap's Isetta bubble car to win the race!

I hope some of you are going to Hampton Court this weekend. The Saturday is the best day for Jaguar enthusiasts as it features the Jaguar Concours sponsored by the factory. Ian Callum is the main judge. I shall be there with my red Series 3 V12 Roadster in a group of cars representing the E-type Club. Come and say hello!