Classics on The Green at Croxley  Green was another hugely successful midweek evening show, now in its 10th year. It’s probably the largest event of its kind in the UK, that’s organised by one of the smallest clubs, the Watford & District Classic Vehicle Club, with all proceeds going to a variety of charities. From as early as around 18.00pm the main display area on the Green was effectively full, with later arrivals parking wherever they could! On one of the hottest days of the year, enthusiasts from far and wide headed for Croxley, to be part of what has become the evening show with the garden party atmosphere and ambience.  No need to pre-book or register, simply arrive, relax and enjoy! As usual the event mustered plenty of rare and interesting vehicles.

Antipodean rarity was Michael Boast’s 1951 Vauxhall Velox Caleche L (Caleche being French for open carriage). Chassis were built at Luton and then sent to Australia where GM Holden in Adelaide fitted them with either Caleche or UTE bodywork. Michael’s car was imported to the UK from Western Australia in 2010. Historic Lotus afficiando John Watson brought along his Lotus 6, very successfully campaigned in period by Peter Gammon’s and with a wealth of competition history. Robert Wilson originally built his Falcon Caribbean historic special in 1960. Then 10 years later he rebuilt the car again, this time sans roof and with upgraded Ford running gear.

Rarest small car at Croxley was a 1964 Fiat/Neckar Weinsberg Coupe, one of a line of Fiat designs built at the former NSU factory at Heilbronn, Germany, and utlising Fiat 500 running gear. Largest car was Alan Reed’s 1959 Cadillac convertible, representing the zenith of fins ‘n’ chrome at its most outrageous, and Alan’s car even sported an additional Continental kit! With only two owners from new, the Cadillac was restored in the USA around eight years ago. Dennis Jenks’ 1932 Type WLB Bedford coach with bodywork by Davies of Merthyr Tydfil, was the largest classic commercial. The coach was original purchased by G.Williams of Blaina, Monmouthshire and used to transport Welsh miners to work and children to school. It was withdrawn from service in 1952 and used as a store room until being restored in the 1970s.

Roger Giles was displaying his 1954 Swallow Doretti. Designed by Frank Rainbow and built by the Swallow Coachbuilding Company of Walsall, the Doretti utilises Triumph TR2 running gear, and many were exported to the west coast of America. Of the 276 cars built, some 184 are still known to exist. One of the most imposing Jaguars on show was Frank Lambert’s stunningly restored MK9.  Frank had originally envisaged a four month restoration project, that ended up as a major two-year rebuild! The 2011 Classics on The Green at Croxley was probably the busiest and best gathering to date, a truly vintage year, and a fine way to celebrate the event’s 10th Anniversary.