More than 90 valued vehicles will start from Downham on Sunday for one of the most popular classic car rallies in the region.
After the King’s Lynn Motor Club hit an emergency stop last year, the annual run is back on track and will again raise money for the Norfolk Accident Rescue Service.
With owners eager to get behind the wheel again, it has attracted a full influx of cars from all eastern counties.
Nick Smith and Sue Bowrrman with Ford Model Y (48626121)
These include a Rolls Royce, Jaguars, Austin Healeys, a selection of Triumphs, MGs, a Sunbeam Tiger and Porsches.
The oldest will be a 1930 Austin Heavy 12/14 owned by Terry Cook of Watlington, who bought it as a project in the 1970s.
It is driven by Terry and Eileen’s daughter Lisa Elliott on Sunday while Terry is behind the wheel of a 1947 Riley Drophead Special.
The Riley is one of two Terry found while working as a television technician. “The owner had to get rid of them, so I took them both and made a good car out of them,” he said.
Fourth will be Nick Smith and Sue Bowerman from South Wootton in a 1936 Ford Y that he bought in 2003.
He had to do some tweaking to make it roadworthy, but everything else is original which makes it special. That was what helped him win the Car of the Year title at Radio Norfolk’s Old Car Rally a few years ago.
Nick said the Y is credited with saving the Ford Motor Company. The big Ford cars of the time did not sell and the company was on its knees – until it took advice from Ford in Dagenham and built a small car for Europe. The Y model, priced at £ 100, turned the fate of the company.
Nick and Sue used the car on VE Day last year to raise £ 350 for the NHS by standing in front of their house and asking for donations.
The event, which will again raise money for the Norfolk Accident Rescue Service, kicks off at 9 a.m. at Downham Home and Garden before heading to the Thetford area for lunch – or a picnic – at the Lynford Hall Hotel.
You will pass Fincham, Narborough, East Walton, Grimston, Massingham, West Acre and South Pickenham on the first leg of the event.
The route then takes drivers to Ickworth House in Suffolk, a location last visited by the rally in 1999 and where prizes are awarded.
The main sponsor is Anglia Car Auctions with further support from Ottoway Carpentry from Dersingham, Bearts of Stowbridge, Bennett & Co Estate Agents, King’s Lynn and Steve Cato Classic Cars and Restoration from Tottenhill.
