Scottish Transport Extravaganza organisers said they could not have wished for a better 40th birthday present than the weekend turnout of exhibitors and spectators at the Glamis Castle event.
Scotland’s biggest vintage vehicle gathering saw a crowd upwards of 15,000 flock to the landmark, and with a record entry of 1,400 vehicles, covering everything from bicycles to lorries, there was plenty for the crowds to enjoy under the fine Angus skies.
The vintage vehicle scene suffered a dent in the economic downturn as enthusiasts found it too costly to drive or transport their pride and joy to events all over the country, but Glamis has come back with a bang in the past couple of years and the chairman of organisers Strathmore Vintage Vehicle Club rated this year’s display as one of the best ever.
“The whole thing has been superb,” said Allan Burt. “We thought we did well last year when the weather was great, and it’s been the same again this weekend.Click here for a full photo gallery“The quality of the displays has been absolutely superb and it’s so nice to talk to the members of the public who say they remember the names of the vehicles on show that’s what it’s all about when people come and have their own stories about the cars and everything else here.”
The lure of Glamis was also strong for exhibitors the length and breadth of Britain, with a 1935 Austin 10 once again claiming the crown for the farthest-driven entry thanks to a week-long, 550-mile trek from the far south of England.
A pair of articulated lorries from the mid-1950s also made a long haul of almost 400 miles.
Closer to home but particularly nostalgic for Forfar visitors was the first public outing of a piece of Angus commercial transport history.
Lyall Norrie and Ian Johnston have just completed the restoration of a 1963 Foden from the fleet of D Callander (Forfar) Ltd, and their dedication was rewarded with the award of best commercial vehicle for the exquisitely presented truck.
SVVC company secretary Stephen Dear also revealed the event had featured a remarkable find from Forfar’s little known automotive history.
George Innes produced a one-off car for his own use before dismantling it when the family emigrated to Canada in 1911.
The remains of the vehicle are in an Alberta museum, but an Innes stationary engine has now been unearthed after languishing for decades in a local barn.
“It’s only recently been discovered but we believe it’s also a one-off, made in 1898, so it’s amazing to have it at Glamis,” said Mr Dear.
He also found himself on the prize list after burning the midnight oil in recent weeks to complete his restoration of a delivery bike of the Lambs Lemonade firm that would become Strathmore Springs and eventually part of today’s portfolio of AG Barr, the makers of Irn Bru.
See Tuesday’s Courier for the results from the Extravaganza.