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The kit everybody is talking about in the USA
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Basingstoke Festival of Transport May 2007.
Weather was a hot topic of conversation this time at Basingstoke. Black clouds were
gathering as we arrived at the Memorial Park. The stand was all set up by myself,
Daniel Powell, Mick Gamble and Ginger Dann. A couple of gazebos and Gingers` 1940
RO1T Van acted as the `Chuck Wagon`! No sooner had members started to arrive when
heavy rain started to fall from the sky! I must say though that this did not deter
members one bit as we ended up with our usual full stand of cars. Basingstoke continues
to be one of our most popular meets even in the rain. The gazebos did not let us
down either. They remained water tight as the rain kept coming right through until
about 1.30 PM. Quit a damp walk around the Auto-
we had a grandstand view of the vehicles entering the park.
We had good support from members on the stand and also sold a good number of raffle
tickets for the Maurice Brown picture. I was able to send a good cheque along to
our Treasurer Dave Minnett afterwards. As far as the cars went apart from doing a
Barbeque under adverse conditions behind the R01T Ginger and Marilyn with the aid
of friends managed to get al their V8 Pilots to the show. A massive effort which
I must thank them for. The blue and green stretched limmos looked good together with
the blue and green saloon cars. One of Gingers favourites the blue Reynolds Pickup
made a good companion for the Pilot Estate Car owned by Dave Leach a green example
but very rare just like the Reynolds Pickup. The Grey R01T ex Army van as I said
earlier had to earn its keep as the Chuck Wagon. Possibly the only survivor of its
breed destined for Romania during the war but it seems didn`t get there! A dramatic
change from Army days was the 1951 Ford Custom Convertible V8 owned by Rob Young.
When you consider this was produced six years after the war and at the same time
as the V8 Pilot in England the USA Fords of the early fifties seemed light years
ahead. Robs` car is gold and this was certainly the golden period for US cars. Another
Pilot Pickup on display was owned by HCVC man Tom Mansbridge a maroon example. The
green Pilots of Bob Flint and Malcolm Cariven were parked together looking immaculate.
Not to be outdone there were a couple of black Pilots. Reg Watson in his saloon and
Roger Wiltshire in his genuine Police saloon. Daniel Powell arrived in his 1932 Ford
Model 18 Victoria to wave the flag for the pre-
I must thank everybody who attended for turning out in such adverse weather conditions. Everyone who attended seemed to enjoy the day.
Your roving reporter
Chris Sanders.