Deadline for entries extended for Classic Car of the Year?
There’s still time to get your entry in for this year’s Classic Car of the Year competition as, at the request of classic car clubs, the deadline for entries has been extended. With Classic Car Clubs attending numerous events, entrants asked for extra time to submit their details and the organisers are happy to oblige to ensure they get the best cross section of vehicles entered. Postal entries now have until 23 July while those entering online have until 31 July.
So far more than 300 enthusiasts have entered their cars into the competition organized in association with Lancaster Insurance and backed by Classic Car Weekly, Classic Cars and Practical Classics magazines.
An expert judging panel will review entries and shortlist 10 cars from each category, but the winner is decided by a public vote, will be revealed at this year’s Classic Motor Show, and will receive a prize worth £3500.
Entrants can choose from six categories - Pre-war, Forties, Fifties, Sixties, Seventies and Eighties – that cover the classic period, and enthusiasts can enter as many of their cars as they wish.
Among the entries so far received are:-
Chris Parkhurst, from Aylesbury’s 1931 Austin Seven. An original unrestored example, since Chris acquired it the Seven has driven from Peking to Paris and in 2009, two years after its China trip, drove 6500 miles across the Andes! “Today I still use the car every day in all weathers: It’s reliable, incredibly cheap to run and without question this little car is the greatest British pre-war car on the road today – it is quite simply a legend!,” Chris says.
Guy Worrall, from Sutton Coldfield’s 1949 Rover P3 has, according to the owner, probably never been welded and other than a repaint has been subtly upgraded to cope with today’s driving conditions, cruising on motorways at 65mph. “Yes, she has been maintained and repainted, and had mechanical updates including a higher ratio differential so she can keep up with modern traffic but otherwise she is as Rover built her in 1949 – a truly great example of post war British car manufacturing,” Guy says.
Gavin Cripps from Billingshurst owns a 1955 Triumph TR2 – one of the archetypal post-war British sports cars. Known for their rugged engineering the early TR models have had a loyal following down the decades, and with good reason. “It’s great fun to drive, good looking and inexpensive to run,” Gavin says.
Mike Ball, from Leicester, has entered his 1966 Series Five Sunbeam Alpine. It’s been back on the road for the past 15 years, following an extensive restoration that took six years to complete. Taken abroad in the 1970s by its airman owner, since coming home the Alpine’s won numerous prizes at the Sunbeam Alpine Nationals show.
A true British grand tourer, the Triumph Stag maintains a loyal following thanks to its V8 grunt and elegantly sophisticated styling. Ian Elliott, from Coventry, undertook a meticulous three-year long restoration of his 1976 Stag, but despite his endeavours isn’t afraid to use it. “It is a well-used classic and has been on many outings including Le Mans Classic 2008, and will be making that trip again in 2010! Although it is an excellent example it is driven and not only for show. The V8 burble just begs for you to drive it and brings a huge smile to my face!,” Ian says.
Recent interest in the ‘Ashes to Ashes’ TV series has brought the Audi Quattro to a new generation of classic car fans, and Paul Jones, from Crewe, owns this excellent 1985 example.
Classic car owners can enter via the competition website (ccoty.co.uk) or by sending details of the car, a brief history, full contact details and up to three images to Classic Car of the Year, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA.