Those fortunate enough to own and run a classic car will find enormous pleasure in driving it down Devon's quiet lanes. The pace of life and historic villages make any veteran or vintage car look quite in keeping with the setting!
Classic car collections
The Exmoor Classic Car Collection in Porlock is one of the county's best kept secrets. The owner, Stephen Jones, started the museum in Minehead but has since moved it to former garage premises on the High Street in Porlock. The collection of motorcycles, classic cars, signage and other motor-related memorabilia was once his private collection. As he approached retirement he decided to turn it into a hobby by opening up as a small museum on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 4pm. There is a small fee.
The museum has around 20 cars and motorbikes ranging from a Bonneville to a 1948 BSA Bantam, formerly owned and used by the General Post Office. Motorbike fanatics will appreciate the Triumph Twin and the pair of Bridgestone motorcycles, although Bridgestone is now a marque better associated with tyres than engines.
Larger vehicles in the collection include an Aston Martin DB2/4 and an Austin taxi dating back to 1938. All the vehicles are MOT'd and taxed and Steve stills regularly takes them for a spin. The collection of model cars includes a collection of Le Mans winners. A miscellany of other items includes an AA phone box and a 1928 driving licence, permitting the holder to drive either a car or a motorbike.
Nigel Mansell owns the Woodbury Park Golf Club and after a round of golf on the Oaks or Acorns golf course, you should visit his personal World of Racing Museum. Inside are the Formula 1 cars he drove to victory along with video footage, trophies and a collection of other fascinating memorabilia of this racing legend.
Rallies and fun runs
The Devon Coast Run is well worth looking out for on the third weekend in July. A series of beautifully restored commercial vehicles drives around 70 miles of the Devon countryside starting from Haldon near Exeter and visiting Starcross, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Torbay, Totnes, Buckfastleigh, Ashburton and finishing at the Rally Field in Bovey Tracey where an Autojumble is held. Participating vehicles in their shiny best include fire engines, buses, military and emergency vehicles, lorries, vintage and pre-war cars.
Classic collections in the National Trust
National Trust estates are a wonderful setting for a jaunt in your jalopy. Some of the historic estates are home to classic cars as well as to the better-known furniture, antiques and art collections. Many classic car clubs choose to host rallies and concours d'elegance events in the grounds of stately homes and you may be lucky enough to join in as a spectator.
Castle Drogo in Exeter frequently hosts car rallies which prove to be a popular draw and Killerton House hosts a Classic Car Day annually in late May. In 2010 it attracted 170 vehicles and 3,000 visitors who enjoyed live jazz, craft stalls, trade stalls and a bouncy castle as well as the magnificent display of cars on show.
Arlington Court has a fine collection of early vehicles ‐ of the horse-drawn variety, however. The Carriage Museum includes many everyday buggies and carriages but the prize exhibit is the gilt state coach from the 1690s.
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.