Folkestone’s 2012 Oldtimer Rally Words and images from Charlie Thomas
Class winning Aston Martin DB4 Coupe
This year’s glorious August Bank Holiday Monday played host to yet another highly successful classic car gathering on the majestic lawns of The Leas in the coastal town of Folkestone.
Having been an annual tradition for the best part of a century, Folkestone’s Oldtimer Rally has gathered momentum in recent times, with this year’s event attracting over 350 participants in what proved to be a hotly contested showcase of the most lovingly restored classic cars in the South East region. There was plenty of variety on offer, from American muscle cars to exotic Italian supercars and everything in between making this year’s festival one of the best ever.
Honda Civic Type R engine powers this modified Mini
The Rally is set against the backdrop of the Grand Hotel and boasts beautiful views across the English Channel. The best views, however, came in the sculptured form of some rare automotive exotica which no doubt impressed all who attended the one-day event. Arguably the best car on the day was a mint condition Aston Martin DB4 Coupe that simply blew away everyone who saw it. Another head-turner was a modified classic Mini, whose rear seats were replaced with a Honda Civic Type R engine that powered the rear wheels.
All-in-all the day was a huge success and with two shows planned to take place next year, classic car fans in the South East have a lot to look forward to.
Throughout the day judges and the general public were tasked with voting for which cars they thought were the most pristine. There were eight classes, which were defined by certain time periods making for a fair and exciting competition for all involved.
Winners of each respective class were as follows:
| Class A |
Veteran (Up to 1918) |
Ken Cooke - Model T Ford |
| Class B |
Vintage (1919 to 1930) |
Mark Bowden - Cadillac La Salle Coupe |
| Class C |
Pre-War (1931 to 1939) |
Daniel Guerin - Peugeot 201M Chevrolet |
| Class D |
Post War (1940 to 1959) |
G Elgar - MG TC Sports |
| Class E |
Historic (1960 to 1972) |
Alan Smith - Aston Martin DB4 Coupe |
| Class F |
Classic (1973 upwards) |
L Moorby - Mercedes Benz 380SE |
| Class G |
Motorcycles |
Mrs C Emery - Velocette KNSS |
| Public's Choice |
|
Brian Harvey - Bond Bug 850ES |
