Corner House New Year’s Meet, Wrightington, Lancs.

More than 130 cars – including a London to Brighton veteran – headed to the pub for a New Year meet quite literally overflowing with stunning classic machinery

An intermittent sun shone on the myriad gleaming classics assembled for the first outing of 2019. Another year, another gridlocked turnout and customary bacon butty.

More than 130 classic, vintage and veteran cars exceeded the confines of the car park at this pub and restaurant in rural Lancashire, trailing down the narrow nearby lanes. The official 10am start time has become more like 9am in recent years, as the event’s devotees seek to get a prime parking spot on the restaurant car park.

The event is organised by restaurant proprietors and renowned car enthusiasts, the Lawson family, who were yet again astonished by the early turn-out. A mix of more modern classics and Americans being brought out of hibernation resulted in the remarkable sight of a 1965 Pontiac GTO rubbing shoulders with Citroën Traction Avants and MGBs.

Bernard Williamson from Tarleton was one of the star arrivals in his 1902 Wolseley; neither he nor his Wolseley are new to braving the winter weather, being previous entrants of the London to Brighton Run and Bernard being the president of the Veteran Car Club.

Bernard, who loves to use the 117-year-old car, said: ‘I really, really want younger people to see these cars and get involved in veteran and pre-war cars. It’s vital for their existence and passing on important skills.’

Among the gathering were quite a number of stalwarts from the local Scotch Piper Classics club.

Its organiser, Andy Shaw of Ainsdale, who brought along his dream car, said: ‘I’ve owned this 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 for 22 years and I restored it 20 years ago.

‘It was my childhood dream car after seeing one in the James Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever.’

The bacon may have run out rather earlier than expected, but the stream of classic cars kept coming until right up to the lunchtime close, marking another great start to the classic New Year.

Mustang Mach 1 owner, andy shaw, organises classic meets at the nearby scotch Piper pub. 1991 Mazda eunos roadster and 1972 Triumph stag arrived early to bag a parking space. Bikes joined the throng of classic cars, which ranged from the 1980s to veteran.

Gary Brunskill of st Helens used his 1976 MG Midget 1500’s bumper as a shelf for his brew!

richard Barnes of Burscough arrived in his 1384-mile indy Pace car edition corvette.

Bernard and carol williamson and their london to Brighton run 1902 wolseley.