STRATFORD had some real va va voom over the bank holiday weekend.
Almost 500 classic cars and high performance motors drove into town for the Stratford Festival of Motoring on Sunday and Monday (May 3 and 4).
The weather was mostly kind but the owners of some convertibles were forced to cover up on Sunday morning owing to rain.
Some 70,000 people are estimated to have filled the mostly pedestrianised town centre streets to cast an eye over vintage classics and modern supercars. The Heritage Centre Gaydon, Coventry Transport Museum and the Auto Adrenalin Club also brought along some vehicles from their respective collections.
The oldest car at the festival was a 1913 Model T Ford, while the newest cars included a 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 and an electric Renault Zoe.
Festival patron and the town’s very own celebrity motoring journalist Quentin Willson waved off participants who took part on the scenic drive around a choice of routes through the local countryside.
Trophies were awarded in a variety of categories and Mr Willson presented the award for his favourite entrant – a Ford Mustang Shelby owned by Adrian Waller. Adrian first saw the car when he was 17 and it took 20 years from him to be able to buy it.
The Furthest Travelled Award went to Peter Darby who had travelled all the way from Dumfries with his vintage Morgan.
The Treasure Hunt Winner was Owen Bannister in his 1968 Mini Cooper. The Mayor’s Choice trophy was awarded to Bernard Long of Stratford for his 1953 Triumph Mayflower.
Away from the wheels, the crowds were entertained by everything from a climbing wall to live music courtesy of The Rocking Dinosaurs and The Voice contestant Karl Loxley.
Stratfoward events manager Ruth Wood said: “It was great to see the town centre filled with so many people enjoying the spectacle!
“Participants loved the Festival and found Stratford so welcoming and friendly. We couldn’t stage this Festival without the support of businesses and volunteers and would like to say a huge thank you for helping to make this event such a success.”
Nearly 500 classic cars rolled into Stratford. (s)
The Stratford Festival of Motoring attracted some 70,000 people to the town. (s)
Crowds and cars make their way down Wood Street. (s)
Bridge Street motors. (s)
This ruby red Morgan wowed the crowds. (s)
Rare cars, old cars, sports cars and new cars. gave visitors to Stratford’s most successful Motoring Festival to date, plenty to look at. (Picture courtesy of John Coles Photography)
A pea green Triumph Stag makes its way down Bridge Street. (Picture courtesy of John Coles Photography)
High rollers in Rolls Royces and super fast ferraris gave the petrol heads something to enjoy. (Picture courtesy of John Coles Photography)
