Saturday Film Club: The Plastic Box That Spins and Pretends to Be a Car

I found this video because one of these cars popped up on eBay for not much more than Sinclair C5 money. 

It is probably a good job I don't have the garage space... 

Saturday Film Club: Rustival 4 2026 - the world's friendliest car show full of classics, rare cars and more!

I'll be honest, if I'd not been heading to SWAG a couple of weeks ago, my car would have been pointed down the road to Rustival. A lovely, friendly car show, with all sorts of weird and wonderful vehicles displayed, including quite a lot that I remember being on the road normally!

Pan down trams

The trickiest part of any tramway model is the overhead. Unless you model a very specific location, such as Wolverhampton with its stud contact, or London with the slots and skate, overhead wires are very much part of the scene. 

From Birmingham, we have another option, at least for modern image modellers. Part of the route in the city requires the trams to operate from batteries, as there isn't any overhead. The thinking was that the line runs through some historic buildings, and no one fancies screwing overhead cables to these, so for a short section, the trams drop their pans, and run on batteries.  

NEC Classic Car show

Yes, it cost £35 to get in, plus my train fare, but for 6 halls and over 16,000 steps worth of exhibits, I think it was well worth it. 

The highlight for me was sitting in a Talbot Alpine, the first car I ever drove. OK, it was up a farm track, probably didn't exceed 10mph, and ended with me bumping into a fence post, but an important vehicle in my life. It's also the one I learned about Isopon body filler on, as I packed an awful lot of it into the front wings. 

But, what a lovely, comfortable place to sit! Far more foot room around the pedals than my Peugeot, and so roomy inside too. I have fond memories of that car, we took it on holiday several times. 

In fact it's so exciting that for a change the Matra Rancho wasn't the best car in the show, for me anyway. Second best maybe.

There was also the first car I drove on my own - a Mark 1 Ford Fiesta. OK, ours was grey, and had the 950cc engine, but it wasn't a million miles from this pristine example. Sadly, there was no chance to sit in this one. 

If I had the space the money, this South African import VW Beetle would have come back home with me. £10,000 for something unwelded, running well (apparently) and with some interesting local details, such as these odd little front reflectors. 

At the back, the taillights seem to be a mix of the elephant's foot ones on my bug, and the earlier version. I don't recall seeing these before. And yes, I am being nerdy about Beetle bits. 

For research purposes, I took quite a few photos of this Porche Junior tractor. There is a kit for one in my stash, and it's interesting to take a look at the real thing. 

So, other than travelling I spent a train-free day. Is there a connection between classic car shows and model railways? I think so. If you look at a lot of layouts, you'll spot old cars that turn out to be the first ones owned by the modellers. We all love a bit of nostalgia! 

Sadly, my family seems to specialise in owning vehicles that no one makes model of. Peugeot 206, Berlingo, Nissan Juke, Talbot Horizon - nothing doing. There is a Mk1 Fiesta in the Oxford Diecast range, but there is something very odd (to my eyes) about the rake of the windscreen, so I don't own one. 

You are probably wondering if I bought anything. Well, there was this Alfa that screamed "Mid Life Crisis car" that I liked the look of, but no more cars for me until the Beetle is back on the road (Permissible exception: Rust-free UK spec Matra Rancho in Bronze or red, for under £5k), but I did come back with a couple of things. You won't guess what they are though...

Lots more photos over on Flickr. 

The Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum

I mentioned earlier in the week, that I'd hoped to combine a visit to Tony Green, with a look in the transport museum next door, but it only opens in Sundays. Well, thanks to my celebrity status, someone arranged for me to have a quick look around anyway. There were some volunteers on site, and as the doors were open, they were happy for me to have a poke around. 

It's certainly a tight squeeze! The two large garages are stuffed full of exhibits. Mostly buses, but quite a few earlier cars and bokes too. The most modern I could see were a couple of Rover Maestro's an a Ford Capri. Other than that, it was vintage all the way. 

The Chevrolet coach caught my eye, as did the displays of road signs and advertising. From a modelling point of view, a few photos of these printed out, could be ideal for a steam era layout. 

A charming, friendly museum, stuffed full of interesting things to see, and with a model shop next door. What could be better? 

More photos on Flickr. 

The Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum website. 

Cars in the Spa 2025

The weather might have been a bit mixed - although it stayed dry - but there was an excellent turnout for the classic car show held by the Rotary Club, in the middle of Leamington. Over 300 vehicles were reputed to be on show for this fantastic, free event. 

I wandered around taking photos, and enjoying the fruits of other people's labours. 

At an event like this, it's difficult to pick a favourite. OK, as a VeeDub fan, I'm a little biased toward the products of Wolfsburg, and there were a few to enjoy, but I'm not blinkered enough to ignore all the rest. 

Numbers-wise, I think the best-represented car had to be the E-Type Jaguar. I don't know if it's the location, not far from Jag's Coventry factories, or that if you've spent that much money on a car, you want to get out and show it off. I still think they are stunning, but decided to stick with other vehicles for my photos. 

If I am pushed to pick one car, I rather like this Morgan three-wheeler.  

Although I suspect it's challenging to drive, and not exactly practical!

But then, this is a hobby. As long as you mostly (struggling to free bolts off, or discovering rust excepted) enjoy it, that's all that matters!

My full set of photos is on Flickr. Which one is your favourite?  

Saturday Film Club: TRAFIC 1971

This is what cars looked like when I was in my pram, at least on the contient. Facinating, and with some impressive camera and stunt work. I wonder if any of the vehicles in it survive? 

Update: Sadly, there is a problem with the video. It worked when I tested it, but not now. Sorry.

Can you identify this old car?

Spotted last time I was in Bourne a few weeks ago. Sadly, I didn't get the chance for morethan a quick look, and can't work out what it is.

This is anoying me - can anyone tell me what I saw? Thanks

Saturday Film Club: Secrets of the Coventry Ring Road

What could be more festive then a trip around the Coventry Ringroad? This is a surprisingly interesting visit to the road of death around Coventry. 

Saturday Film Club: Wooden six wheeler! The incredible Hustler 6 In Wood - what's it like to drive?

I've always fancied building a car. But perhaps not this one. Very clever though.

Warehouse Wednesday: 6 ton Ransome and Rapier Crane

Another contribution from Duncan Young: 

I recall you building the Langley Miniatures kit of the Six Ton Ransome Crane some time ago. Visiting the Kempton and Hardwick Waterworks Railway last Saturday, I chanced upon the real thing. It works and is used by the volunteers and a kind fellow let me get close up. He described it as a tricky piece of equipment! 

Thanks Duncan - a couple of lovely photos. I'd have enjoyed getting a closer look at this machine too - it really is a fascinating relic of pre-hydralic times!

My model was built for a Hornby Magazine project many years ago, but I still have it. The kit isn't easy, but that's as much the fault of the prototype as anything else. 

Saturday Film Club: The weirdest cars at the NEC Classic Show 2024

I love weird cars, and many of these caught my eye at the NEC Show, but the thing that really appeals is the use of the phrase "Carlos Fandango" to describe a Rover SD1...

NEC Classic cars 2024

Add another classic car to the list of vehicles I don't fit in - and Austin 7 based racer. 

Pedants will point out that you tend to build these around the driver, and so if I built one with the pedals slightly forward, and wore much less clumsy footwear, I might be able to drive it. Whiel I was at it, the hammered aluminium seats could be adjusted to fit my backside, they were hardly comfy!

As ever, the NEC played host to five halls of classic cars. Basically a days worth of looking around, asking questions and wishing a little bit that I was a millionaire with a big garage. A little bit. I think I prefer these things in thoery than in practise. 

If I were a millionaire, I wouldn't have bought the low-mileage 1993 Ford Escort turbo that I saw go for £180,000 in the auction. It might have less than 6000 miles on the clock, assuming it wasn't clocked in Essex 20 years ago, but what do you do with it? Drive the thing around, adding miles, and you are reducing he value. Sit it in the garage to look at, and well, what's the point? Someone must disagree, as there were at least two bidders. 

If I was buying, apart from the Rancho I always mention, I quite fancy this Ford pickup.

It had some rust bubbles. Quite a few in fact, that I'd have used to try to beat the price down, but it looks fun. Probably not the most practical of vehicles, but it is cool. 

The Ford would come second to this Morris J-type van though.

Doesn't it look fantastic? 

No obvious rust, and a spanking paint job in a lovely livery. OK, the thing will be miserable to drive in modern traffic, but standing with a polishing cloth at a local classic car show would be a lot of fun. I wouldn't be carting layouts long distances though!

Anyway, you can enjoy the show a bit without thousands of steps on a hard NEC floor, by visiting my Flickr Gallery.

Despite the sore feet, I still enjoyed the show. The Sporting Bears were working well, with a procession of cars going off with their punters who had made donations, and drew a good crowd of people watching from the barriers. 

Elsewhere, there were people who just loved their cars, and the enthusiasm when chatting came across. Like a model railway show, it's great to see people doing something they love, even if we are spared the cold nights in the garage fighting rusty fixings! 

Car Review: Ford Tourneo for railway modellers

 

Since I had the chance to drive a Ford Tourneo last week, perhaps it's time for a quick review, from the point of view of raiolway modellers. At the very least, it may attract a bit of extra traffic to these pages. 

 Caveat: I love Citroen Berlingo. Ideally, the Mk2 version, after that, the legroom in the front got a little short of my comfort. I also think the Mk2 is best looking, and it's a terrific nippy little motor with wonderful, big wing mirrors.

The front: Fitted with a diesel engine, it seems a little under-powered. I'm not a fast driver by any means, but there's not a lot of low-down grunt. It's quite easy to stall at slow speeds, you need to keep the revs up. That said, the engine isn't stupidly noisy, does Liverpool and back on less than £30 of diesel. An hour of slow running on the M6 won't have helped this either. Obviously, there is no issue with 70mph, by which time you've got it in 6th gear and it bowls along.

The middle: A first for me, I had to slide the drivers seat forward slightly! And when in position, I could have worn a top hat happily, as there is so much headroom. In fact, space is the main story with this car, loads of it. OK, it's a bigger beast than the Berlingo, but fits in a parking space. 

The controls are OK. Setting the speed limited was a little bit of a faff, it knows the speed but can't automatically be set to it, but I hadn't read the instruction book, so there probably is a better way. There are plenty of actual knobs to twiddle, and buttons to push, none of that touch screen nonsence. 

Instruments are clear. You can have your speed in both traditional swinging needle form, or in numbers. These appear on a screen in the middle of the dash, and the screen is used for other jobs, which is a little anoying. Vision around the car is wonderful, all that glass ensures you can see what's around. 

The hire version is possibly a little light on toys. No reversing camera, electronic handbrake, or front parking sensors. The wing mirrors are a bit smaller than the Berlingo, but adequate. 

The back: This is the best bit. There are seats, but when shifting layouts (or loco side tanks) around, these can be folded out of the way. I couldn't see a way to remove them entirely like you can with a Berlingo, and the guy at the hire place didn't look like he appreciated my examination and talk of spanners. 

Width between the rear arches is very nearly four feet. If I owned one of these, I'd seriously consider building baseboards to fit it. As it was, the tank fitted with loads of space to spare. There's plenty of height too if your boards are paired up and have tall backscenes, it won't be an issue. 

Generally, this is a nice car. Better than a Berlongo? Possibly not, but it's a close run thing. OK, it's a bit light on charisma, but as a load lugger for people who actually do things, it's a good choice. 

Gaydon Busfest 2024

A free Saturday afternoon, and my ticket to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon still valid, what better way to spend some time that nerding over vintage buses? 

 

 

An excellent afternoon with fantastic ice cream, and plenty of bus action. I managed a couple of rides, the last on the Motorway Express above. Incredibly comfortable seats. I nearly dozed off a couple of times. 

 

There are more photos on Flickr. 

Saturday Film Club: The Autotanker: BP's Lost Tanker Of Tomorrow!

An interesting film covering a vehicle that I remember from the Matchbox range, but always assumed was freelance.

Practical Classics Resto show 2024

I normally frequent the November NEC classic car show, but despite being a Practial Classics reader for many years, I've never been to the March restoration show. Until now. 

It's a smaller event than the November one, but over a tenner cheaper to get in. I even paid for my parking in advance to save another fiver. 

Once inside, at 9am, the hall seemed quiet, but picked up during the day. I'm not sure we'd have minded giving the exhibitors an hours lie-in for a 10am start really. I left at 4:30 (show closed at 5) and had covered it twice, and watched some of the stuff on stage. 

This is a very practical show, with many cars being worked on during the weekend. PC assembled a Mini in their excellent stand I mean it's got a shed with a kettle in it. I'm thinking ahead to the BRM stand at the NEC later this year. Can we have a shed?

Like all classic car show, the emphasis was on walking around admiring the vehicles. Those there are far from exotic. OK, there's big money stuff in the auction, but even prices there didn't seem outrageous. 

Most of the space is given over to clubs, and if you can find one that covers your car, this ought to be good news. Sadly there was nothing for Beetles, other than a general VW club. Maybe they are still seem as "trendy" rather than "classic". People wanting to boast about engine capacity and how much they spent to get everything done, then discuss the merits of the greasy bits underneath, and how you can make them work better. 

If I have a slight moan, it that the trade is a bit heavy on replica sign tat. Although signed as Autojumble, there were precious few piles of ruty bits to dig through. I suspect the cost is a bit high for that, so those stands will stay in car show fields. I wasn't parted with much money!

Will I go again? Yes. I enjoyed it a lot, and now I have a better idea what to expect, will get even more out of it next time. It's worth checking the on stage features as I learned a lot about applying filler, and found a bit of inspiration on the PC stage. 

One thing - talking to the team behind the mag, I suddenly find myself in the opposite position to my normal role at toy train shows. There, I'm the face the punters know, and sometimes are a little nervous to approach. I did get over myself you'll be pleased to know, and have a chat with the editor about a certain orange car in my garage...

You'll be wanting the photos over on Flickr.

Saturday Film Club: Rustival 2024

I enjoyed Rustival a lot - and here's a chance to enjoy it on video. The speed at which it was produced amazes me. Online the day after the event. How do they do it?

Rustival 2024

 How good was Rustival? Very, very good. 

Organised by three YouTubers, the idea was that less traditional classic cars would gather that the Motor Musuem Gaydon. Less E-Type jags (there were two) and more Mini Metros. 

The thing is, the classic car movement is evolving. Stuff built in 1999 is 25 years old! Da kidz are driving "vintage" vhicles that I remember being introduced, or at least seeing everywhere when I was a kid. And by this, I mean boxy Volvos. 

Indeed, I was one of the oldest people at the show. This suggests that far from fading away, classics are still popular. I enjoy reading some of the stories that are typed up and hung in the windows of the exhibits. 

Not that I could read them all. With only a couple of hours, there's no way i could taking the best part of a 1000 cars that turned up. Far more than the organisers expected, and boding well for the future. I suspect there will be more than a couple of trade stands next year. Some autojumble would be both nice, and appropriate!

Anyway, I need to chose a car to take away with me. Will it be the amphibious Land Rover? No, interesting, but too ugly. A Citoen with funky suspension? I think the DS is one of the most beautiful cars built, but no. 

It's the Toyota Sera. I've heard of it, but never seen one for real. Now I have, I want those doors!

 

 

There's a fuller selection of pictures over on Flickr. 

Saturday Film Club: Banbury level crossing

Quite an innocuous bit of film this one, but all the more interesting because it shows normal life in the now distant year of 1987. I like to kid myself that this wasn't that long ago really...