The Gathering: Retro Rides On Hallowed Ground
What A Weird & Wonderful Place

As years have passed, I’ve found that events have become more about the people that surround me, rather than the metal on display.

I first found interest in cars about six years ago, and back then I wouldn’t take a second look at anything unless it had a Volkswagen or Audi badge on the front. Fast forward to 2016 and things couldn’t be more different. Truth be told, I couldn’t care less what badge labels the front of a car now, and in most cases I find myself more interested in the unique, obscure things you don’t see everyday. But despite this, my event calendar consists almost entirely of VAG-focused meets, because that’s where my friends are. At the start of every year I sit down and go through Facebook event pages, show calendars, and magazines to find out what’s on, when and where. The outcome of this is almost always identical – the same shows at the same time and the same place. This isn’t me moaning about the lack of variety in my selection of automotive events, but I do believe it’s always good to mix things up a little in life.

This is where Retro Rides Gathering comes in. My name is Thom Williams, and I hope you enjoy this I Am The Speedhunter post I’ve put together with the help of Josh Mee.

I’d always known of Retro Rides, a popular online forum for all things old and cool. But it wasn’t until I met Dean Meeson, the owner of quite frankly the most ridiculous Lotus ever, that I learnt about the annual event called Retro Rides Gathering. When the 23rd August 2015 came, I made the last minute decision to find out what I was missing beyond VAG shows and spend some time appreciating something different. One year later I returned for more.

Nestled in the hills of Worcestershire, West England, you’ll find Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, the oldest motorsport venue in the world to still use its original course for events today. It’s the perfect setting for a hill climb, and with a full day of racing action plus a car show on the side, there’s enough going on to keep you wishing there were more hours left in the day.

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There are two main reasons why I love this event.

Firstly, you get the impression that everyone is equal and respectful. At any typical show it’s easy to find someone slating another’s car because they don’t agree with the selected modifications, or the workmanship carried out. At Retro Rides this is nonexistent, everyone has endless respect for the creatively and hard work that has gone into making something truly unique.

Secondly, you’d struggle to find a more diverse range of cars together in one place. Take this for photo as an example. Parked up in the paddock patiently awaiting their turn to gracefully take on the historic hill climb, a C33 Nissan Laurel and BMW E30 M3, each tweaked and tinkered with to their respective owner’s desires.

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I know you want to see more of this M3…

The Climb
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Of course, this event story wouldn’t be complete without taking a closer look at the hill climb itself. There’s 914 metres (1000 yards) of tarmac that climbs 100 metres from start to finish, and some sections of the course are just 3.6m wide. It definitely isn’t for the fainthearted. Nevertheless, there was no shortage of cars queuing up awaiting their turn.

One of the key highlights of the Retro Rides Gathering is the guest cars, hand-picked by the team to cater for a variety of onlookers to drool over. Don’t be fooled though, these aren’t all professionally built and sponsored race cars, some have been pieced together in garages by enthusiasts like you and I. Guest cars took to the the hill several times throughout the day, providing jaw-dropping burnouts at the start line and euphonious tones for the crowds spread along the length of the course. These cars ranged from Pipey McGraw’s outrageous Volkswagen K70 with a W8 and 4WD swap…

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To this Simca 1000 Youngtimer race car…

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To the unmissable GN Spider II. It may not have looked as fast as some of the higher-powered machines, but I can assure you the driver was giving his everything to get this thing up the hill as quickly as possible, and putting on quite the show in the process.

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Accompanying the guest cars were 120 entered vehicles, all signed on, briefed and ready to take a crack at the climb.

This Bedford van was nothing short of insane. I wish I knew more about the powerhouse buried within, but maybe someone can shed some light in the comments section? All I know is that it wouldn’t have weighed much and that it had plenty of power.

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I thought this Ford Model A pick-up powered by a Vauxhall red-top engine was pretty cool too.

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And a personal favourite for me, Steven Foxall’s E30. I’ve watched this car go from the poor unused ornament it was, to the 400bhp M50 turbo monster it is today, not to mention spending many an hour underneath it. Having spent most of its life at events on display, it was nice to see the car proving that it’s not just a looker.

Retreating From The Climb
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When the times came to give your ears a break, what better place to do so than in a field packed with cars you’d rarely see out on the roads. Unlike the usual show and shine format you often find at events, Retro Rides Gathering takes a slightly different approach, allowing groups and clubs to display together on designated club stands. I much prefer this layout, as it gives owners the opportunity to park up and hang out with their friends. At Retro Rides you don’t get the sense that people are trying to show off and win awards, they’re just there to have a good time.

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It wouldn’t be a retro car show in the UK without a Mini or two, right?

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Remember what I said about the variety of cars on display? I wasn’t kidding. Check out this Bosozoku-inspired Nissan Sunny!

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There are a few things I hope you take from reading this.

First of all, if you’re based in the UK, visit Retro Rides Gathering. The show is run by a great group of people with likeminded interests, keen to cater to all that attend. The venue is also a great bit of motorsport history nestled in the depths of Worcestershire countryside.

Secondly, take a chance at doing something a bit different to your regular regime. You might be pleasantly surprised with what you were missing out on all this time.

Thom Williams
Instagram: thomwilliams_

Photos by Josh Mee
Instagram: joshmee

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1

Enjoyed that Thom!

2

HA van has turbo Vauxhall XE 2 litre, he took it to the USA a couple of years ago and did drag week in it.

3

Isn't this the very same place where Hammond elegantly placed his Vauxhall Nova into the ditch at the 80ies Hot Hatch-Top Gear episode? First photograph, first thing I had to think of ..

4

maxproof You would be correct! Also one of the first things I thought of when I saw the picture

5

KeithEdwards Are you the SWB Audi Quattro owning Keith Edwards?  If so we should talk :)

6

Wow, thanks for the unexpected write up, glad you enjoyed the event, we just try to put on the sort of car show we'd like to go to, you seem to get the ethos of it just right :)

7

Good work gents, thanks for the good read!

8

HoTWire KeithEdwards Looks like an RR plan is hatching here haha!

9

The variety at this show is incredible, it's a great insight into real British metal. Lovely stuff Thom!

10

KeithEdwards this HA owned by Mick 'wacky' Wilkes - such an beautiful build, i love all of his cars though!

11

KeithEdwards Indeed.  There are some YouTube videos of it on either the HotRod or MotorTrend channel.  I believe it won the 'Spirit of the Event' award.

12

It was on hot rod magazines drag week

13

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14

Ben Chandler Thanks Ben, glad you enjoyed it. You'll have to make sure you make it to the event next year!

15

KeithEdwards Another to add to the weird and wonderful list, that's for sure. What a machine! I may be wrong but I believe its running Nos injection too?

16

maxproof It is! They raced against the time of a new Seat Ibiza and upon loosing Clarkson still declared victory because "time moved more slowly in the 80's".

17

HoTWire Keep doing what you're doing and I'm sure it will continue to be a success. Everyone I know that attends loves Retro Rides Gathering. I will certainly be back.

18

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19

Wow this is great. Need to attend next time.

20

Well written! I'd love to make it to an event like this.

21

my Aunty Brooke recently got a nine month old Audi  
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22

Last I read on that Bedford HA van it was owned by a guy named Mick Wilkes, and ran a turbo'ed Vauxhall 'Red Top' 2.0 four-cylinder.


The coolest thing is that he actually shipped it all the way over to the US to compete in Hot Rod Drag Week. See a video of it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-KvDGo3nPc

23

Thom Williams KeithEdwards did you clock the front badge, it says 'badford' ;)

24

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25

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26

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27

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28

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29

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30

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31

Best show of the season by far and well worth the drive up from Cornwall. Will be back again next year and hopefully have a bit more power in the E30 M3.

32

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33

My Uncle   just got Chevrolet Traverse SUV only from working part  time off a mac book  air
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34

Martha responded that a stay at home mom  able  to  profit   in  one  month  on  the  internet 
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35

Jealous! Looks like an amazing event! Cool track, great cars and a strong crowd too from the sounds of it. I'll add this to my travel bucket list. :) Nice job boys.

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