A Day out at Strumpshaw Steam Museum

The annual Strumpshaw classic car rally is the NCVC’s flagship event where we always try to have a Rover Club stand.  This year we had 10 cars on display with every model series from the P4 to the modern 75 tourer, with just the exception of an SD1.  The show was again organised by Gary, who also helps to organise some of our events, and he really did do a terrific job with everything running smoothly.  He had even placed us under a tree this year that gave some welcome shade during the sunny periods.

It’s actually one of the largest car shows in the area attracting hundreds of classics, 600+ this year I’m told, so plenty of different models to look at, of all ages and makes.  In addition to a few American ‘monsters’ there were also a few specials and one-offs.  The oldest was probably a pair of Stanley Steamers and possibly the newest being a sleek one-off custom built WSR Sabberton designed and constructed by Alan Sabberton, a guy who normally designs boats and thought he would have a go at a car.  Very futuristic (see photo).  I also spotted a motor-trike built around a Rover V8 engine and a 1930 thoroughbred racing car based on an extended Hispano chassis, and with a 27lt, 600bhp V12 aero engine from a French WW1 Dewoitine fighter.  Unfortunately, I didn’t hear the trike running but the sound of the V12 when that started up could be heard all across the field and probably far beyond.

Further down the field I found a trio of convertible Austin (Nash) Metropolitans, a car I have always liked.  These unusual looking cars were designed in the United States by Nash (with input from Pininfarina in Turin, Italy) but were built entirely by BMC in the UK using many Austin parts.  Not very common on UK roads as most were exported to Canada, America and elsewhere across the world.  It was good to see at least some surviving, and in pristine condition.  Talking of unusual, there was even a modern, retired, Stapleford fire engine in the catering area converted as a bar selling a range of beers and spirits.

Over by the museum they had a Foden steam wagon and an Invicta traction engine in steam, both wonderful to see, especially the wagon for me.  Then inside the museum the huge beam engine and several smaller steam pumping engines were running, in addition to the gallopers, and as it that was not enough, we were also treated to two sessions on the Christie Theatre Organ during the day.  A good day all round.

Russell James