Diamonds in the rough

I’m sure I’m in good company when I say over the years I’ve been to many car shows. A lot! And as I’ve toured them, camera in hand, I must have made thousands of images of cars that I’ve squirreled away on my hard drive which I haven’t looked at since I pressed the shutter. I’m also sure many of those pictures are of Citroens as you might expect.

Now we’re at the fag end of 2016 the showing season.  It’s about that time of the year when careful classic owners will be considering cossetting their cherished motors in a lock up, putting the battery on trickle charge and protecting their pride and joy from the rigours of winter and the inevitable gritted and salty roads. Given my experiences with extreme vehicular oxidisation this year I don’t blame you!

Probably, one of the last gasps on the local classic car trail is the show in Event City near the Trafford Centre in Manchester. As it’s an indoor event, it allows us one last look at some great cars safe from unpredictable weather. It also helps to avoid mercurial attendees who at the last minute might eschew wandering around a muddy field when there is a high chance of depressing drizzle putting a damper on their day.

Carolyn and I decided to go along as we usually do mainly to catch up with people who we probably now won’t see until the Spring. There was one difference this year.  I decided I would not photograph anything but the most interesting and exotic cars mainly to save disk space and as very unscientific experiment to see how many truly remarkable cars are at these types of show (to my mind of course). I thought I would share some of my selections with you. 

Now where shall we begin?

Let us start with the French.  No not a Citroën, but a pre-war Peugeot. In this case a 1939 202 UH Estate. Surely a contender for the moniker ‘unique in appearance’ and, of course, only something that our Gallic neighbours could both conceive and manufacture with a straight face.

Peugeot 202 UH Estate. A visage only a mother could love

I’ve written a lot about rust of late so to include what must be the crown prince of car corrosion seems apt. Surely a rare pukka example of the legendary Lancia Beta. A car made from metal so thin you could roast a turkey with it. This car effectively ended the UK market for Lancia which is a shame.

Lancia Beta - I wonder if the brown colour is hiding something?

Now this is a strange, but somehow compelling, confection.  A bespoke built Mitsuoka Le Seyde. A retro styled, but thoroughly modern, limo’ based on a Nissan Silvia of all things. It was for sale for a shade under £12k. There is no doubt it would make an interesting, and probably very reliable, addition to a ‘classic’ car collection. Not sure about parking it at Costco to be fair.

I wonder if Seyde is Japanese for subtle?

As you may know, I’m not a massive fan of Yank cars. I confine my interest in this genre to Mustangs, Chargers, Old Chevy’s and the occasional Pontiac.  Perhaps that’s why his Chevy caught my eye.  Not only is it very pretty but the detailing was excellent.  Check out how those rear lights merge into the side swages.  Arguably, over the top for a working vehicle and, indeed this example was originally from the fleet of a telephone company. Lovely to behold though.

Unnecessary detail?  Fabulous Chevy Van

A Morris Marina Camper. Yes, you read that right. One of the most maligned UK cars merged into one of our most mocked activities - caravanning. This really should be a recipe from Satan’s Vehicular cookbook but I thought it a hoot. As an ex-Ital owner, I have a soft spot for this range of cars and I do like a bit of camping too!

Morris Marina Camper - perhaps only for clear nights?

Finally, one of the most distinctive cars ever made in the US at least.  The AMC Gremlin.  A car whose profile is so unbalanced only lovers of the unusual could realistically own one. This was in fact an AMC Hornet, an undistinguished three-box coupe, with its rear third cut off to create a car that could compete in the burgeoning hatchback market. AMC expended no further effort to ‘pretty up’ the results hence the strange car you see here albeit one which has been extensively ‘blinged’.

Where's the back? AMC Gremlin 

There were of course many others and it’s a matter of taste which you may have decided to photograph.  

I’m just pleased that even this late in the season I can find cars that delight, intrigue or appal me in equal measure.  Is that what makes the classic car scene so appealing?  

Happy Halloween everyone!