Where past and present share the same ground
11th January 2026
Cold air, early light and a quiet pull towards something familiar. A former airfield, a gathering of machines and the stories that keep them alive.
Cold air, early light and a quiet pull towards something familiar. A former airfield, a gathering of machines and the stories that keep them alive.
As 2024 sped toward its finish line, there was still time for one final Legends Drivers Club event. Following the success of the Christmas Brew just a week earlier, I wasn’t expecting much of a turnout on this damp, misty morning. Yet, by now, I should know better than to underestimate the draw of Andre’s events. Over 80 Porsches, spanning all types and eras, created a visual and aural treat for everyone who braved the weather.
Summer sun, great people and an array of the finest air-cooled Volkswagens and Porsches displayed along the fairways and bunkers of the perfectly groomed Sandford Springs Golf Club made for a great weekend.
This past weekend, London’s historic Tobacco Docks reverberated with the roar of custom motorcycles and the hum of excitement as the Bike Shed Show took over. This iconic 200-year-old venue was the epicentre of the global custom motorcycle culture for three days, welcoming enthusiasts and creators alike.
Exquisite design, refined lines, and unmistakable style came together seamlessly at the Concours on Savile Row, celebrating the perfect marriage of fine tailoring and iconic automobiles. This event paid tribute to the best of both worlds, showcasing the pinnacle of craftsmanship in both fashion and automotive design.
With such a wild mix of rides, a fantastic venue, and an unbeatable vibe throughout the event, I knew I had to return for Retro Rides shenanigans this year. This event celebrates the diversity of the automotive world, embracing every facet of the retro car scene with open arms.
Organising a bank holiday Monday event in the UK always carries a risk, weather-wise. While sunshine might be what we hoped for, that’s not what we got. The traditional bank holiday downpour, which at times felt biblical, didn’t put off the hardy souls who ventured out for a rather wet drive to Goodwood Motor Circuit to join André and the Legends Drivers Club.
After a long hiatus, my return to the Sunday Scramble at Bicester Heritage was nothing short of spectacular. Thanks to a reasonably early start, the journey around the M25 was smooth, and the sun cast a golden glow over this vibrant spring gathering. From the moment we arrived, we were presented with an eclectic variety of vehicles and the buzz of excitement, promising a morning full of automotive marvels.
The Goodwood Members’ Meeting kicked off 2024 in thunderous fashion, showcasing some of the world’s best and noisiest historic motorsport. It delivered a cacophony of outrageous Can-Am cars, introduced modern motorcycle sidecars to the Goodwood Motor Circuit for the first time, and the Ken Miles Cup offered an entire grid of 30 first-generation Mustangs to delight the crowds.
Forget daffodils, the scent of fresh tarmac and the rumble of a classic engine are the true harbingers of spring. The annual 356 Spring Drive route and date are locked in, and the prospect of a day spent carving through Kent and East Sussex B-roads in a pack of iconic Porsche 356s has my camera bag prepped, batteries charged, and navigation skills primed for an adventure.
Goodwood Revival rekindles the circuit’s heyday from 1948 to 1966 through the sights and sounds of cars and motorcycles racing around the hallowed tarmac. Period decoration and entertainment bring the whole venue to life, and guests dress to the nines in the fashions of the day.
Early September saw the return of the popular Festival of Porsche at Brands Hatch. The festival provided another chance to celebrate all things Porsche during this 75th anniversary year of Porsche Cars and the 60th anniversary of the 911. In the true spirit of the marque, there was plenty of on-track action alongside all the static displays around the historic race circuit.
This year’s final bank holiday Monday saw the Legends Drivers Club running another of their Breakfast Brew meet-ups at the Westerham Brewery. The thought of a lovely sunny morning drive, a chance to hang out, drink coffee and talk Porsche for a few hours, was too good to pass by.
Returning to the Festival of Speed this year was a damp disappointment. Not just because of the weather but because something didn’t sit right with me. My last visit was in 2019, which I thoroughly enjoyed, like all my previous visits. After such a break, did I expect too much from the 30th edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed?
Last year’s inaugural FlatSix Show displayed a high standard through the images and reports which surfaced after the event, making it a definite on my calendar for this year. With all good intentions, the day was blocked out in my calendar, but for some reason, I hadn’t purchased a ticket. Two weeks before, I was still sat on the fence. It took a message from a good friend about an early morning B-road jaunt down to Goodwood before I committed and bought my ticket. With the meeting place agreed upon and time set for ‘oh-my-it’s-early’, another Porsche adventure was ahead of us.
Following close on the heels of Lavenham, the Käffer Nation UK show provided another opportunity to indulge in the wonderful classic Volkswagen scene. With a very different approach, this event focuses on bringing together wonderful people and vehicles in the Surrey hills and caters for every taste, whether you like stock, custom or race cars. There were even a few hot rods and other classics squeezed into the stunning lakeside location, which even has a small sandy beach that adds to the cool vibes.
Lavenham’s old, crooked buildings make for a visually spectacular backdrop on any day. Add to this a fantastic collection of vintage Volkswagens displayed in different areas of the mediaeval village, and the result is a ready-made photoshoot alongside one of the best displays of historic Volkswagens outside of Germany.
The Bike Shed Show has become one of the most significant and diverse motorcycle events worldwide. This year, the show curated over 300 new custom motorcycles from all over the world. Add to that Shed Talks, live music, high-quality street food and drinks, multiple bars and lounges, gallery spaces, tattoo artists and a traditional barbershop. There were plenty of wheels, art, and adventure on offer.
It’s hard to believe that this spectacular display of bespoke tailoring and sensational cars is only in its second year. Run by the wonderful Magneto magazine and its partners, this two-day event oozes elegance and sophistication. There’s plenty of glitz and glamour to get rolled up in. Sited in the middle of Mayfair, during the week, the Concours on Saville Row offers a visual feast of automotive and tailored elegance.
Surprising as it may sound, this was my first visit to Retro Rides Weekender. In all honesty, it was my first Retro Rides event, but having lived previous gatherings through digital and print media I thought I had a good understanding of what to expect. Was I right? Let’s say that disappointment was at a big fat zero and every other sense was at 11. With such a wild mix of rides, a fantastic venue and a great vibe throughout the event, all I can say is I’ll be back for more.