Stafford Show report

That it even happened is a miracle. So we went, we saw bikes and we had a great time

Away from the club stands there was still a lot to check out, There was a visit to Mark Wardill, creator of the Wardill 4 we featured last year, where he revealed that several people had turned up at Stafford just to see the bike and book test rides.

I made a brief stop at Angus D Campbell's impressive collection of rarities – A five-speed BSA Rocket 3, two examples of the 350cc BSA

Fury and an A75 750cc Thunderbolt. Then it was back outside for a little bargain hunting, to try again to find some allegedly ethanol-proof fuel pipe, grab some workshop essentials and take a look at the Bonhams Auction. Here items such as the AJS Porcupine and the NVT Challenge racer retained their big tickets, but there were still a few bargains to be had. These included a handful of Triumph twins that struggled to reach £2500, and a Norton Mercury 650 for just a fraction over £4,000. The Peugeot 125cc delivery trike looked just the thing for nipping down the shops on. There was even a Vincent Rapide that sold for £30,000, which might sound a lot (it does to me) but compared to recent years it does suggest that maybe prices are settling down a little. Unless this was a momentary blip, and once the French, Dutch and Swedes return, things will bounce back up again. Gather ye rosebuds…

And then back out into the occasional thunderstorms, a chance to admire a cracking Brough Superior by the Classic Racer arena, some last-minute panic buying of some stainless gee-gaws for the Morini, and a long, wet and tedious drive home.

A good show. A jolly good show indeed.