Classics on The Common is the original midweek evening, mid summer show, still the biggest, the busiest and for many enthusiasts absolutely unmissable! Nowadays limited in size to 1200 pre-registered vehicles for operational and safety reasons, the event continues to thrive with a passion, and as soon at the gates to the Common are open, there’s a steady stream of vehicles arriving from 3.00pm onwards. Indeed, it only takes a very short time before the Common is full, then the adjacent areas across the road towards the town centre is used as an overflow. Public and spectator parking is at the other end of the Common and once again was brimming full.

Variety and diversity is what makes Classics on The Common so unique, not to mention the ‘heady’ atmosphere, with this year’s event possibly witnessing the largest crowd of people ever gathered. It’s an eclectic mixture of veteran and vintage vehicles, military and commercials, classics, supercars, motorcycles scooters and microcars, specials, customs and rods. There’s nothing quite like it, some enthusiasts have been coming since the very first event that mustered around 30 cars. However, every year there’s still something new to see.

Mike Margolius brought along his 1949 Tatra 600 Tatraplan. The car was restored to perfection in the Czech Republic between 2002 - 2009 and is one of five to reside in the UK, but is currently the sole example on the road. The Lancia Appia Consortium were displaying their rare 1958 V4 powered Appia Furgoncino. The van was delivered new to Signor Caberlotto in January 1959 and used daily ever since to deliver wines to customers up until 2006. It was acquired from Signor Caberlotto and imported into the UK in February 2010. A 1948 Healey Woodie, one of 17 produced and one of only two known to have survived, had been found as a derelict wreck in 2007 and restored to superlative condition by Classic Restorations (Sales) Ltd. Other rare delights included Martin ‘Monty’ Males’ Hupmobile Model R Racer, Alan Mc Nab’s 1935 Bugatti Ventoux and Bill Ryan’s 1955 DKW 36 Sonderklasse Coupe to name but a few.