One of the South West’s longest established historic vehicle shows will be putting on an impressive display of veteran, vintage and classic vehicles over the weekend of July 8-9 at Powderham Castle, Kenton, near Exeter.

The annual Historic Vehicle Gathering is organised by the Crash Box & Classic Car Club of Devon, who are expecting over 1,500 vehicles on show. Now in its 48th year, this weekend-long event attracts many enthusiasts from Cornwall, including members from the Cornwall and Devon XK Group and the MG Car Club Devon and Cornwall Centre displaying their vehicles.

Among the attractions this year will be seventy vehicle club displays, with the Motor Cycling Club exhibiting a rather special trials car. Built in the early 1970s, the Cannon sporting trials car was driven and competed by Stirling Moss (no knighthood back then) in the RAC Trials Championship. In more recent years it has been lovingly restored to the exact specification when Stirling drove it.

To date, the array of individual entries booked in ranges in age from Hupmobiles from 1910, 1913 and 1925 to family favourites built up to 1985. The Modern Classics display which covers affordable cars of interest built between 1986 and 2003, has nearly forty examples booked in.

A healthy entry of 30 full-size and 30 miniature steamers includes the welcome return of the 1924 Burell 6NHP Showmans road locomotive ‘Earl Haig’ owned by Terry Sleeman of Wadebridge. This full-size steamer originally started its working life as a dredging engine in Somerset, before being converted to Showmans’ specification in the 1930s.

It was purchased in a derelict condition by an enthusiast in 1963 and restored in his own workshops. Terry eventually became the latest custodian of ‘Earl Haig’ and he regularly displays it at various events in the region.

This annual event also helps raise funds for various local charities including; Admiral Nurse & Dementia Café (Sidmouth and Sid Valley), Hospiscare (Exeter, Mid and East Devon) and Motor Neurone Disease Association (Torbay & District).

Richard Gardiner, the rally chairman for the Historic Vehicle Gathering, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming our many visitors, exhibitors and traders to Powderham Castle to enjoy the many attractions on offer. There really is something for everyone of all ages.”

The Historic Vehicle Gathering takes place from 10am until 5PM on both days.

For further information, visit: www.historic-vehicle-gathering.info.