Bicester Heritage Super Scramble

Bicester Heritage packs in the cars – and new displays – for its first Super Scramble

Bicester Heritage upped the stakes – and showgoers’ expectations – by adding the word ‘Super’ to the latest in its series of Sunday Scramble events, but the sheer volume and variety in last weekend’s turnout meant that classic owners weren’t disappointed.

The classic-friendly business park and former RAF base threw open its doors to a deluge of visitors, with the Heritage Skills Academy, Vintage Car Radiator Company, Historit and newly-founded classic auctioneer, Bonhams MPH, all taking part in the event. In addition Vauxhall, Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover all brought along classics from their heritage collections and the site’s test track was put to use for car and bike demonstrations.

But for us the real jewels of the event were the enormous displays on the former airbase’s infield, with St Neots Ford Fanatics, the Morgan Sports Car Club’s Oxford Centre, the Oxford branch of the Triumph Sports Six Club and the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club’s Oxfordshire Region among those bringing big displays of classics on the day. There were also two different display areas given over to visitors bringing over their own classics.

With a blend of on-track demos, packed classic displays, dealers

and restorers based on-site happily sharing their expertise and a new indoor autojumble, this is one of the best shows that CCW has visited this year – and plenty of visitors agreed.

Trevor Sparrow, who brought along his Austin-Healey 3000, said: ‘The last time I was at Bicester was for the Flywheel Festival, but if anything this seems bigger and even better.

‘It’s a superb show, and there’s so much variety in the classic displays.’

This was the first UK show show outing for this 1971 Datsun 240Z. Neil Barber, from Bath, bought the exUS example six weeks ago. MG fan John Weit brought along his 1975 ‘B GT. Back home in Wrecclesham, Surrey it fights for attention with his 1956 Morris Oxford. Barry Smith’s 1971 MGB GT was originally given to London-based University Motors but then transferred to an MG showroom in Kent for sale to its original owner. Showgoers who took a closer look at this 1964 Austin Mini Cooper were treated to photographs detailing its restoration.

Trevor Sparrow, from Essex, brought along his 1959 Austin-Healey 3000, which he’s owned for 15 years. He’s working on getting his other classic, an MGA, back on the road. Neil Haughton’s 1973 Range Rover was previously fitted with a TDi engine but has now been reunited with a V8. Much of the interior is from a later Spanish-spec car.

David and Helen Wright drove their 1968 Ford Cortina Lotus Crayford convertible down from County Durham. Previous owners include former TVR boss, Martin Lilley.