Over 600 cars prepare for the journey to The Gloucestershire Country and Vintage Extravaganza

The 42nd Annual Gloucestershire Vintage & Country Extravaganza 5th, 6th & 7th August 2016, South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester.

August 2016 5th, 6th & 7th will see the Stroud Vintage Transport & Engine Club (SVTEC) stage their 42nd Annual Show at South Cerney Airfield in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The show is widely regarded as one of the biggest and best Steam, Vintage and Countryside events in the UK and attracts thousands of exhibitors and visitors from across the county and actively raises money for both national and regional charities.

This year the Gloucestershire Vintage and Country Extravaganza will include the popular Steam Arena, with non-stop steam demonstrations, and the opportunity to drive a steam engine and see the spectacular Showman’s Engines. The Main Arena which features parades and commentary of all the vintage vehicles on site from classic cars, tractors, commercial vehicles, vintage bus and coaches, motorcycles, scooters, traction engines, miniature steam, industrial trucks, military vehicles, caravans to emergency vehicles. Plus the Countryside Arena featuring dog agility, ferret racing, rare breeds, animal conservation, alpaca’s, shire horses, horse logging, falconry displays and children’s pony rides.

The classic car section alone has over 600 vehicles represented, from the dawn of the motoring era, to pre-war, post-war, Pre 72 American to modern classics. The oldest vehicles entered are 1904 CGV Talbot (only 50 were ever built, with only 2 left in existence) and a 1904 Talbot that has been lovingly restored by a family in Cheltenham, and often competes in the world famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. To the opposite end of the spectrum, there are supercars such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti to mass produced run-abouts such as Morris, Austin, and Ford marques – we often hear people saying ‘my Dad had one of those’.

The American section alone has 50 x Pre-72 American cars booked in. These include two 1929 Cadillac's, both in concours condition, a rare 1957 Galaxie Skyliner with retractable hardtop, plus 1939 Plymouth P7 Roadking Sedan, a stunning 1957 and a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air to a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro. This Camero is a beast with a 455 ci big block engine fitted with a supercharger, twin 750cmf carburettors and nitrous oxide and 1100 BHP. All the owners are knowledgeable and proud to show off their splendid vehicles. If you have an American Classic that you would like to display, please contact Pete Glover: classicyank_cars.svtec@hotmail.com Alongside regular exhibits are remarkable stories of barn finds, restoration projects and histories to be told, such as the gentleman in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, who had a great deal back in the 1960s when he swapped his camera for a 1935 Austin 10. He has since purchased a similar camera back in a charity shop for £2! The Austin 10 came complete with original letters from its previous owner, along with its history. The vehicle was borrowed in the Second World War as a private defence vehicle for the army and at the time had its headlights covered so it could not be seen by enemy aircraft.

Other vehicles include:

* A 1933 Stanford 9 which has remained in the same family from Swindon since new

* A 1980 very rare factory built Panther Lima and 1960 Jensen 541R (Owner from Yate)

* A record-breaking Jensen 541 Prototype, chassis number 1 - holder of the London to Paris record, entered by owner Malcolm Bristow from Tetbury who has a vast collection of Jensen’s

The 2016 show will also pay homage to Land Rover with a special section dedicated to the marque. In January the last Land Rover Defender rolled off the production at the Solihull manufacturing line. It was an end of an era for one of Britain’s most-loved – and longest-lived – vehicles. During its 68 years of production, more than two million Land Rovers and Defenders have been sold since, with 308 model derivatives. To commemorate the iconic vehicle, the show has introduced a new section featuring Land Rover Series I, II and III models and variants (registered Pre 1980 only). For further details or to register a vehicle, please contact: enquiries.svtec@hotmail.com

This year the show organisers would like to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate 60 years of the Queen's reign. If you own or know of a vehicle which has a historical link to the Queen, please get in contact.

Aside from all the vehicles, there are literally thousands of exhibits, curiosity stalls, trade stands, models tents, craft marques to keep the whole family entertained. Children always love the vintage fairground with the popular Fairground Organs, 'electric yachts', waltzers, big wheel, steam-driven 'gallopers' and traditional penny arcade games, and this year they can even have a ride on a model stream train.

The showground site is sprawling, with plenty of food and drink ‘pit stops’, a firm favourite is the vintage tea room with regular music and 1940s inspired Lindy Hop dancing. Plus new for 2016 - The beauty box providing a rest haven for weary show goers – after miles of walking, you will now be able to pop into a converted horsebox and relax with a head, neck and shoulder massage, or even indulge in a beauty treatment from eyelash tints, brow shaping or facial to a tattoo!.

Chairman of the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club (S.V.T.E.C) Martyn Slater, said: ‘Our goal has always been to give the best value for money family day out in Gloucestershire, with something for all of the family to enjoy. The show has evolved allot over the past 40 years, but the mission remains the same - to inform, educate, entertain and celebrate our unique transport history and the preservation of historical vehicles. We actively encourage interaction between exhibitors and visitors, and have a nifty on-site Wi-Fi to enable visitors to find out more history and information about specific vehicles displayed. The dedicated Wi-Fi code can be obtained from the show program, and available for use on phones, tablets and laptops’.

The Extravaganza is organised by the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club. This non-profit making organisation raises money for national and local charities and up to 30 will be represented on site raising money and awareness of their respective causes. The rally is one of the largest events of its kind run entirely by volunteers. All section leaders strive to bring something different to this year’s event.

All the owners are knowledgeable and proud to show off their splendid vehicles. With so much to see and do, one day just isn’t long enough.

For further information or to purchase advance tickets please visit: www.glosvintageextravaganza.co.uk

Advance discounted tickets are currently available priced £8, or can be purchased on the gate for £10

Advance junior tickets (aged 5–15years) are priced £4, or can be purchased on the gate for £5

Children under five years old go free

The show opens daily at 10.00am and finished at 5.00pm

A free vintage bus service will be operating around the perimeter of the show site, and to and from Kemble railway station throughout the show to connect with selected First Great Western Trains

All profits from the 2016 Gloucestershire Vintage & Country Extravaganza will be donated to the Cobalt Appeal Fund and Diabetes UK. <