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News

Classic cars park on the prom at Minster, Sheppey

By: John Nurden jnurden@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 16:38, 25 July 2018

Updated: 21:58, 25 July 2018

A record 110 cars, vans, bikes and scooters went to the beach on Sunday for Sheppey's annual classic motor show by the sea.

Organiser Paul Weeks, who runs the Sweet Hut on Minster Leas with his wife Nina, said: "It was our best yet. The weather was perfect."

Cars ranged from a giant American Cadillac straddling the promenade to a tiny Messerschmitt "bubble" car which, despite its diminutive size, proved to be one of the biggest draws.

Car show organiser Paul Weeks with his pride and joy, a 1919 De Dion Bouton 3206600

Mr Weeks also had some of his own vehicles on show including a vintage motorcycle with a wicker side-car and a 1919 French-built De Dion Bouton which he has spent the past 18 months renovating. It was only its second public outing.

Another top attraction was a 1947 Daimler limousine which was given to Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip as a wedding present by the RAF. The car, driven by Tom Lambkin of Eastchurch, boasted a colour photo of the Queen in the back seat, which turned heads.

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But the star of the show was a 1928 white Austin owned by Sittingbourne collector Barry Lowdell, 75, from Tunstall. It was his first visit to Sheppey with the car.

Paul Weeks tells Sittingbourne collector Barry Lowdell his 1928 Austin was the best car on show on the Sheppey seafront at Minster Leas on Sunday (3206602)

The 12-horse power Clifton open-tourer, which has a temperature gauge on the front of the bonnet to warn the driver of overheating, won the trophy for the vehicle the judges would most like to take home.

It was originally made in Australia under licence and then shipped to Britain.

Mr Lowdell, who believes it was used by Britain's diplomatic corps, discovered it gathering dust in London and stripped it back to its original paintwork.

Hot, hot, hot: The temperature was rising on the Sheppey seafront at Minster Leas on Sunday (3206575)

He admitted: "It takes a lot to drive. You have to double-declutch to change gear and you have to stand hard on the brakes to stop as they are all cable controlled."

Meanwhile, there was a chance for the public to pick up a bargain. A renovated 1961 Mini with only 55,000 miles on the clock was going for £15,000.

There were craft stalls, a parade of vintage prams sporting lifelike dummy babies and rockabilly entertainment from Lewis Ellen.

Babies in vintage prams on the Sheppey seafront at Minster Leas on Sunday (3206558)
A 1960s Lambretta scooter festooned with chrome-plated mirrors and ights on the Sheppey seafront at Minster Leas on Sunday (3206584)
One of the smallest cars, a Messerschmitt "bubble" car, was one of the biggest draws on the Sheppey seafront at Minster Leas on Sunday (3206595)
An original 1961 Mini for sale for £15,000 on the Sheppey seafront at Minster Leas on Sunday (3206598)
A line of Morris Minors on the Sheppey seafront at Minster Leas on Sunday (3206586)
Left holding the babies on the Sheppey seafront at Minster Leas on Sunday (3206588)
This big American Cadillac turned heads on the Sheppey seafront at Minster Leas on Sunday (3206556)
Another top attraction was a 1947 Daimler limousine which was given to Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip as a wedding present by the RAF. The car, driven by Tom Lambkin of Eastchurch, boasted a colour photo of the Queen in the back seat, which turned heads on the Sheppey seafront at Minster Leas on Sunday (3206611)
Taking a break on the Sheppey seafront at Minster Leas on Sunday (3206560)
Car lovers inspect Paul Weeks' 1919 De Dion Bouton on the Sheppey seafront at Minster Leas on Sunday (3206554)
More than 110 cars on the Sheppey seafront at Minster Leas on Sunday (3206571)

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