Decision to Form the Nostalgia Sports Car Club taken

Sunday, 18th April 2004 The Heritage Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire

Gaydon a former RAF Base from the days of the V bomber nuclear deterrent, is now home to the Ford test facility and the Heritage Motor Museum. The Museums collection of classic cars range from the early years of Austin, Morris, Rover, MG, and Singer to the years of British Leyland and Rootes, culminating in the last Mini produced at Longbridge. On the day Jaguar was well represented with a special display in the upper exhibition area. 

It was against this fitting background that a group of enthusiasts, owners and builders of the range of Nostalgia Classic Sports cars met to form the Nostalgia Sports Car Club. The day began dull and overcast and turned to rain shortly after our arrival at the museum. We had been given privileged parking outside the museum entrance and to display 4 completed cars plus Martin Halliday’s 120 car that was still under construction., it was not a day for standing outside ,”kicking tyres” and admiring the cars and the assembled company moved inside for refreshments and a guided tour of the museum.  Everywhere you look in the exhibition hall there is something to catch the eye, one of the first Austin Sevens, the Rover - BRM gas turbine car that competed at Le Mans, the aerodynamic MG World Land Speed Record car and many more.

Outside it was still raining but a few hardy souls braved the 4x4 experience. This lived up to the prior warning that those with back problems should not take part. A tortuous course, made slippery by the rain, involving steep climbs and descents. Deep water fords and bouncing over concrete obstacles and ruts. The technique was to put the Land Rover Discovery in low gear and first gear. Then drive on the throttle only – no braking. Exhilarating! Especially going down steep inclines.

“Shaken but not stirred” we returned to the formal part of the day. The museum had kindly given us a room to hold the inaugural meeting.  For those interested, the minutes of the meeting are here.  The most important outcome was that everyone enjoyed themselves and the Club was formed.