Stonor Park 2001

As with many VW events this year Stonor Park was affected by the foot and mouth crisis and its date shifted from early June to late July. However, as usual the weather at Stonor was absolutely fabulous, even the date change didn't affect the events lucky run of weather.

The club had its stand there as usual, although it was a little cramped. We managed to put up part of the club shop and squeeze a couple of cars onto the space. Barnstormerz placed two of their big bore beetles on the stand, and these big engines, married to immaculate chassis, drew in a lot of interest. There were a lot of people approaching the stand to chat or just to oggle the Barnstormerz cars.

During a break from the stand, I managed to walk around most of the concourse area-spotting any cars I could find belonging to the club. There were some really nice cars in evidence and I met up with quite a few members on the concourse, including Darren Smith who appeared in April's Wheelspin and was proudly showing his copy of the club magazine next to his orange Beetle .

Darren Smith’s Beetle at Stonor

I also met up with Roy Wilson, who had his immaculate 67 Beetle on the concourse. Roy Wilson was featured in September 2000 issue of Wheelspin, he runs the VW dealership in Bishop's Stortford and owns both a white 67 and a New Beetle. There are many other owners there, but I did not meet all of them.

Perhaps the trade was a little slow this year, a combination of attendance and the fact that at the end of a month people have less money. This did not stop me buying a couple of model VWs and a long deck lid for the wife's Beetle, ready for when the body is restored.

Roy Wilson’s white Beetle on the concours

The show ended, as usual with the prize-giving and Miss Stonor, none of which I saw since I was left manning the stand. At the end the day we all packed up and drove off to a local pub for a social drink before going home. All in all a nice relaxing day and a good chance the to see a of great cars (including the military Volkswagen Itlis, I have written about in Wheelspin but never seen in the flesh).

Hopefully next year will prove a bit busier if the event can return to its usual June date, and no doubt next year British VW events will be lucky with the weather again.

Were any of these cars yours?, if so get in touch.

Other club cars spotted on display

Wheelspin