HUNDREDS enjoyed a display of more than 250 vintage vehicles at yesterday’s seventh annual Cowley Classic Car Show.

A 40-strong convoy drove from Cowley’s Mini plant to the Oxsrad Sports and Leisure Centre, Marsh Lane, Marston, to join a display of 272 cars.

Convoy organiser Tanya Field said: “Oxford’s car heritage is tremendous, a real success and I thought we should do something to celebrate that.

“Just the fact that we are still making them here is amazing.”

The event’s oldest car was a 1924 bullnose Morris and the newest a 2006 Aston Martin Vantage.

thisisoxfordshire:

The proud owner of an MGB Roadster talks to visitors about his immaculate car.

Harwell’s Robin McStay, 76, brought his 1967 blue Morris Minor 1000 two-door saloon.

He said: “I have owned this car since it came off the production line in 1967.

“My brother worked at the Cowley factory and I got it through the family discount system. It has been all over Britain and has done more than 250,000 miles.

“It has never occurred to me to sell it, I am not really someone who throws things away. It is part of me. But it is in retirement now and lives in the garage.”

thisisoxfordshire:

Robin McStay with his 1967 Morris Minor.

Marston’s Levan Bekmarmarchev, 49, who brought his 1968 Morris Minor Traveller, said: “I was given this car in 2000 and it had mushrooms growing out of the woodwork and holes in the floor. It took me five years to repair it.

“When we moved house I built a garage around it and restored it inside. When I drive it I see all the heads turn as I pass.”

The event raised money for Oxfordshire charity Rosy, which provides nurses to care for terminally ill children at home. Last year’s show resulted in a £4,000 donation to the charity.

thisisoxfordshire:

Levan Bekmarmarchev with the 1968 Morris Minor.

The show was organised by Oxford Isis Rotary Club and club member Malcolm Fearn said: “It is fascinating to hear the stories behind the cars.”

Top News

Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.

Our top stories