Bentley and Jaguars in force but Silver Ghost takes the honours  Words and images by Stephen Mosley.

Southport, just north of Liverpool is perhaps one of the least well-known motor sport venues in Britain despite being one of the first to be established here. A speed trial was first held at Southport in 1903, attracting a strong entry including the legendary S. F. Edge on his Napier, with various categories based on either weight or cost of the vehicle. Such were the relatively relaxed ways that went around motor racing back then, once the formal competition had been completed, they had a go at breaking the land speed record.

Although no-one could top 70mph on the day, they weren't far off, as the record at the time stood at just over 83mph. One of the undoubted stars of that first event was Dorothy Levitt who won her category aboard a 12hp Gladiator, being cheered along the route by the huge crowd that had turned up to watch the spectacle. Dorothy had become the first female racing driver earlier that year, was a friend of Edge's and would go on to a glittering career of racing and record-breaking. Sand racing would continue to be a feature of the resort up until the 1980s, with many of the pre-war greats coming to be associated with it. Segrave even took the land speed record there in 1926.

Following the success of the event organised in 2016 to mark the 90th anniversary of Segrave's record run, Aintree Circuit Club put together the inaugural Southport Classic and Speed event held on 10 October this year. Victoria Park (just a well-aimed stone's throw from the beach) was the location, providing ample room for the 250 cars from the first days of motoring to the present to spread out in a Covid-safe manner. The one thing that the organisers, headed by Michael Ashcroft on the Aintree side and Alan Adams for Victoria Park, couldn't arrange was the weather, but even that played along. Admittedly it got cold towards late afternoon and it rained briefly at the start of the concluding tour around the town centre, but apart from that it was all sunshine and smiles.

It would appear that the intervening years between the first event and now has done nothing to dull the appetite of the public for interesting cars, with a healthy turnout steadily streaming through the gates during the day. The number of families to be seen was heartening with more than one child no doubt set on the path to classic car ownership by hearing a high-powered engine fire up or being allowed to sit behind the wheel of something that took their eye. The entries were laid out in approximate age order with the veteran cars greeting the visitors on their arrival, complete with crews in period costume. Local teacher Hannah Gomersall made for a convincing Dorothy Levitt sat at the wheel of, naturally, a 12hp Gladiator, while Graeme Hardy as Tazio Nuvolari was enjoying himself having 'selfies' taken with young and old alike.

Straight up competition cars were thin on the ground, with a D-type and race-prepped XK120 sat among the Jaguars, the Historic Stock Car contingent (including a remarkable six-wheeler) and 'Wee Huff', a 1936 Ford Coupe and veteran of the 2016 Peking to Paris rally. However, there was still plenty to enjoy. The modern Ferraris and drifting/ modified scene were, as always, a pleasure to see, but I admit the classics and vintage were where my interests lay, and there were certainly plenty of these on offer. The local Bentleys and Jaguars in particular turned out in force with various 'W.O.s' and E-types to be admired. I think possibly the nicest proportioned coachwork on display though belonged to the Bentley 6½-litre sports coupe near the entrance. Though, David Lawson's new build Bentley on a '35 chassis, based on a period design but tweaked to his own tastes, deservedly took the honours amongst Crewe and Cricklewood's finest. Best in show was Jim Clarke's 1914 Silver Ghost, a fabulous car in wonderful condition, especially (as I learned from Mrs Clarke) given that this old stager gets used properly, including being driven down to Greece.

The brace of Astons (DB4 and 5) were rather splendid, the little Messerschmitt fun, and so on, but two cars stood out for me for entirely different reasons. The first was the '30s Daimler limousine that parked up next to us. Apparently, it had been in Peaky Blinders but its interest wasn't in its small screen fame, it was in its condition. Wearing the years elegantly with faded and chipped paint, chrome radiator dusted with white oxidisation and dulled down brown leather interior - this was a defiant statement for originality over restoration. The second car, despite all my inbuilt bias and prejudices against it, was undoubtedly for me the star of the show. A car that flamboyantly rejected conformity and fashion at the time of its launch and that still looks other worldy today, 50 odd years later. Derided or sneered at in the 1980s and '90s, now thankfully recognised for the unique vision it embodies. A thoroughbred for the Ziggy Stardust generation, the automotive statement that is the Lamborghini Espada. A remarkable machine to see in the metal, especially in atypical powder blue.

Overall I would say there were aspects of the Southport Classic and Speed event that could be improved upon a little, but its inherently winning core is a combination of variety, access and engagement. There are already plans for next year and with a few minor tweaks this could become a very special event indeed.