National Weekend - Stratford Manor Hotel 10th - 12th July

[Thotos]

Looking back at my pictures I can see 57 cars but it is possible I am a few out.  The field that we had was a lovely setting and seemed to be just the right size for the cars that gathered.  The weather was kind to us too.  Link to photos attached (cars and people  )

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8165854@N08/sets/72157655772429202

Great pictures! I especially like your choice of the Gamma as the opening/cover photo 

[lancialulu]

I estimate 60-70 cars. You dont see them all unless someone has done a panoramic. Everyone felt it was a good/nice turnout. Low on Sp cars and Flaminias (1) and I did not see a Fulvia Berlina, but good show of Fulvias in general, Deltas, evos, betas, montes, and todays Lancias. Bear in mind half the UK appeared to be going on their annual holidays this weekend so maybe this held back numbers.

Oldest was Roland Grazebrooks Theta - car of the show.

Please to say my HF won a hotly contested competion class against some very serious competion from 3 other Fulvias.

The highlight was "An audience with Daniele Audetto" as after-dinner speaker who offered candid answers to questions about Rallying, F1, Lancia, and drivers. I only took issue with his view that Alonso is the best of the current drivers; but great cine footage of some truly great motor sport at its zenith.

Tim, any chance you can jot down what you remember of his after dinner talk for a VL article? Have to say I'd love to see Alonso alongside Hamilton in a Mercedes.

sorry Stan my shorthand is not good after a bottle of Chapoutier's finest (well I would have chosen a Lange red if there had been some....). It is something a journalist like Peter Baker could do but I can't....

[stanley sweet]

Yes, quite understandable Tim.

[TonyLanciaBeta]

To add a few more photos from the day, heres a link to a small selection of mine.

Flickr set: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tonysphotos/sets/72157656013220215
Facebook album: https://www.facebook.com/tony.harrison.9250595/media_set?set=a.10153069753932825.1073741865.576052824&type=3

[bobhenry999]

Guys,

Looks like it was a wonderful day.

Unfortunately I only got as far as Daventry, not because the Flavia broke down (Perish the thought !)  but because I did !

I stopped to have a stretch of my legs in a lay-by on the A45, and next thing I knew 30 minutes had passed and I was surrounded by Paramedics !

It seems that I had a seizure which was brought on by a brain Haemorrhage that I had some years ago, and so I was taken to Northampton General Hospital, where I spent all day there having tests, and my wife had to come and collect me from Colchester later that evening. Fortunately, the police officer who attended drove my car back to Daventry police station for safe-keeping, and a friend of mine travelled with my wife and drove it home for me.

To be honest, I was more concerned about the Flavia being left at the roadside than me being in hospital ! Thank heavens for that police Officer !

So roll on next years AGM, maybe I can get there !

Bob

[fay66]

Crikey Bob,
Now that is what you call a good reason
Hope you are well now.

Brian
8227

[Justin McArdle]

Hi Bob
Sorry to hear of your day's events. Hope all OK now.
There was a good showing of Flavias at the AGM but sorry that yours wasn't one of them.
Hope to see you and the car at next year's AGM!
Justin

[bobhenry999]

Brian/Justin,

Thanks for your kind words, much appreciated.

I am feeling a lot better today, and going back to work on Monday, but only for 3 days as we are off to Tuscany on holiday for a well deserved rest.

Thanks again.

Bob

[fay66]

Brian/Justin,

Thanks for your kind words, much appreciated.

I am feeling a lot better today, and going back to work on Monday, but only for 3 days as we are off to Tuscany on holiday for a well deserved rest.

Thanks again.

Bob

In the Flavia?

Brian
8227

[bobhenry999]

Brian,

Sadly no. We are flying to Parma and collecting a rentacar from Hertz to travel to the villa.

I have always fancied doing a continental tour in the Flavia, with Matt Monroe playing ("On days like these") on the radio, if my car had a radio of course!

The only thing is I would be worried about the weather, as it hasn`t been wet in the 4 years that I have owned it, I don`t even wash it, which i know drives some members potty, but it was in a private indoor collection for over 20 years and never saw rain, which is why it looks as it does.

Maybe I should just get a life and take it out in the rain one day and be done with it !

Bob.

[fay66]

Brian,

Sadly no. We are flying to Parma and collecting a rentacar from Hertz to travel to the villa.

I have always fancied doing a continental tour in the Flavia, with Matt Monroe playing ("On days like these") on the radio, if my car had a radio of course!

The only thing is I would be worried about the weather, as it hasn`t been wet in the 4 years that I have owned it, I don`t even wash it, which i know drives some members potty, but it was in a private indoor collection for over 20 years and never saw rain, which is why it looks as it does.

Maybe I should just get a life and take it out in the rain one day and be done with it !

Bob.

Go for  it Bob,
It's the only way you'll really find out while enjoying yourself at the same time!
Although I put "Fay" back on the road in 1999 it was 2004 before I felt confident enough to take it abroad, but when we got to the Bay de Somme services and spotted a RAC van,  I asked  the driver what they were doing there they pointed to a load of Classic cars and said,  "We're supporting these cars on a tour of the Wye valley, knowing we were on our own, and on our way to Portugal another 1000 miles further on, to say the least caused us a bit of concern, but the further south we went the confidence in her abilities took over and eventually just enjoyed the trip.
Since then we went to Turin for 100th Anniversary Lancia Celebrations, again on the Knights Rally in 2013, along with diversions to Holland and Belgium.
The total problems encountered in this trips amounting to about 8500 miles, was one puncture in Portugal travelling to a dinner 4 up when I hit a rather large pothole, and one puncture in the same wheel position, but a different tyre, 40 miles from home on the M25 on the way back from Turin in 2006, she ran like a dream on the Knights Rallye, including torrential rain in Belgium on the way back heading for near Mons to visit friends.
It all boils down to preparation & more preparation, and enough spares in the boot to frighten her from misbehaving
However you get there have a great time.

Brian
8227

PS.
You don't need the radio, the blat of a Lancia is all the music you'll need!

[lancialulu]

Brian,

Sadly no. We are flying to Parma and collecting a rentacar from Hertz to travel to the villa.

I have always fancied doing a continental tour in the Flavia, with Matt Monroe playing ("On days like these") on the radio, if my car had a radio of course!

The only thing is I would be worried about the weather, as it hasn`t been wet in the 4 years that I have owned it, I don`t even wash it, which i know drives some members potty, but it was in a private indoor collection for over 20 years and never saw rain, which is why it looks as it does.

Maybe I should just get a life and take it out in the rain one day and be done with it !

Bob.

Bob enjoy looking for your second Flavia so you can drive on in the rain. Have agreat break. Tim

[stanley sweet]

How fortunate that you stopped to stretch your legs and wasn't behind the wheel at the time. I have to confess that I have a foot in the non-rain camp but not to the extent that I wouldn't take it on a long trip like the Knights Rally. In fact it did get caught in torrential rain for the last couple of hours of the trip home. Of course, it looks exactly the same two years later as it did then, it's not a pile of rust on the garage floor. But I do try to protect it as much as I can. If I fancy a weekend drive I'll pick the dry day over the 'maybe rain' day. It gets plenty of use, but dry use. Probably because of this I only wash mine once or twice a year then it sits under a dust cover in the garage so doesn't really get dirty. Definitely take your Flavia on a continental trip. Even if you meet some rain the memories of driving it over stunning Alpine passes will soon outweigh it. Have you had it Waxoyled?

[frankxhv773t]

I would waxoyle it and treat the underside with Finegans black velvet then use it in the rain in moderation. Certainly you are seriously missing out if your care regime is preventing you from enjoying your Lancia on a continental tour.

Also how about cleaning with one of the modern waterless cleaning products that are advertised these days. Has anybody tried them?

Frank

[bobhenry999]

Chaps,

After my little "Incident" on AGM day, I am softening about using the car in less than ideal conditions, particularly as I so enjoy driving on the continent.

My biggest problem at the moment is getting back in and driving it, as I haven`t even sat in the car since that day, as I guess I am sub-consciously associating the car with the event, even though it wasn`t the cars fault.

Maybe I just need that rest and holiday in Tuscany to forget about it all, and look forward to getting back in and going for a drive, if not, there is going to be one fantastic Flavia available in a few weeks time !

Bob