In memory of Brian
Dear Classic American,
Brian Knightingale, a keen American car and hot rod owner, was the main supporter of the Valley Park Cruise which is on the second Sunday of every month in Croydon, Surrey. Brian was a lovely, well-liked man whose passion for American cars was apparent every time you saw him. He would show up there every month come rain, wind or shine, sometimes there were 30 or so cars there, other times just himself with his patina’d Ford Falcon or his bright orange ’66 Chevy C10 pick-up truck. He also had a couple of hot rods in his garage where he spent many hours.
A very clever and knowledgeable man when it came to any advice on American vehicles, he was also a member of the Surrey Street Rodders and Blood, Sweat and Gears club. He’ll be much missed on the American car scene. His funeral took place in the spring and at his family’s wishes a procession of American vehicles followed the funeral cortege which had a fantastic turnout of 50-60 American vehicles for the 20-minute drive to the crematorium.
These included hot rods, pick-up trucks, Mopar muscle cars, Mustangs, Fifties classics and various other American vehicles, including a sheriff’s police car, with flashing lights to keep the funeral line-up together. Afterwards at the wake, all the Surrey muscle car community sat and raised a glass to Brian. Brian would love to keep the Valley Park Cruise up and running and recent meets have been in memory of Brian and have been the busiest it’s been for years.
So, if you fancy coming along, it’s the second Sunday of every month at Valley Park, Croydon, from 4.30pm onwards.
Grant and Claire Ramsay
Valley Park Cruisers
Via email