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.
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.
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.
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.
Over the course of our local car night dinner, the discussion turned to the following week’s 356 Spring Drive. Not owning a 356, I felt a little envious of those who would enjoy this adventure. Desperate to not miss out, I asked the organiser, and long-time friend of mine, Richard, if he’d be happy to share the route with me. I offered to capture some images of all the cars as they traversed the quieter roads of Kent and Sussex. ‘Why don’t you jump in with me?’ was his reply—this offer took milliseconds to decide on. Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to spend a day riding around the countryside in a beautiful 1965 Porsche 356C?
The Hessisch Oldendorf International Vintage Volkswagen Show is a highly anticipated event that takes place once every four years and is considered a pilgrimage for many Volkswagen enthusiasts. Due to world events, I had to wait an extra year for this edition.
