No doubt you’ll already have read Part One of our coverage from the Donington Historic 2022, looking at the racing action. Here’s the second and final instalment, this time focussed on the road cars found in the club displays.
I didn’t drive any of my old cars to the meeting. Have you seen the price of Super Unleaded?! But thankfully not everyone is as tight as me. However, it must be said that in those long-forgotten days pre-2020, the Donington infield would be packed with spectators’ own historic cars. The 2022 event was noticeably quieter but there was still enough there for a few hours of gawping. Perhaps next year I’ll bring some old tat along to help make up the numbers.
Some of the club displays were a bit sparse, though sometimes quality made up for quantity. Did you know the Renault 5 is 50? I’m sure I read an article about that recently… but it must be true, a big banner said so. Look carefully and you’ll even spot an actual Renault 5.
I do like Datsun Z-cars, and there were plenty on the infield. I’m always drawn to a 240Z but a rare 280ZX caught my attention this time, being a bright red T-top with a red velour interior. They were never a huge hit in the UK, where the early 1980s coupe market was dominated by the Capri and Manta, but they sold boat loads in the States. This example was a 3-speed auto, which no doubt fails to make the most of the 2.8 litre engine but seems appropriate for the boulevardier nature of the model. Amongst a strong showing of 240Zs was a pair of Super Samuris, period tuned cars sold as turn-key offerings in the early 70s by the Warwickshire based Samuri Motor Company. I know “Samurai” usually has an “a” in it but they spelt it without. I should have bought a 240Z when they were cheap (ish). I could probably stretch to a third generation 300ZX, gold wheels optional.
How about a trio of Vauxhall Vivas? You won’t see a HB Brabham every day, a classic sheep in wolf’s clothing from Vauxhall. In those days before the Escort Mexico came along they could get away with something like this, all mouth and limited trousers really. Granted the Brabham Viva had twin Strombergs and a special manifold but it was still only an 1159cc so it was no Mini Cooper chaser. The Viva always suffered from a big gap in the engine range which still wasn’t addressed when the HC model came along. The catalogue went from 1256cc straight to 1798cc, then onto 2279cc. Where was the 1600? This 1256cc Firenza looks the part, even if it has the wrong engine. To be fair, the smaller engine Vivas drive surprisingly well but most people really wanted a bit more go to match the show. One final Viva for now, the HC estate. PUB FACT: largest single side window of any production car… probably.
Now check this out, it’s a very scarce Ford Escort GTi. The Mk5 Escort was utter rubbish but by the time it had developed into this visually similar Mk6, it had become a half decent car. The GTi moniker is not normally associated with Ford but they dropped the XR3i badge when naming this sub-RS2000 Escort. There’s a 113bhp 1.8 litre Zetec under the unassuming bonnet, which was a lively engine and far better than the old CVH units from a generation before. If you like your Fords a little older, this Twin Cam Cortina with an unusual paintjob was nice. With a green body and a white stripe it’s like a negative image of a Lotus Cortina, if you see what I mean. Yes, I know it’s not Sherwood Green and Ermine, don’t write in.
One club dominated in terms of numbers, Porsche Club Great Britain. They had a great turnout although quite a few of their cars were a bit too modern for these pages. A good showing of 356s helped balance the newer cars, my chosen trio representing the evolution of the model. It was also interesting to see a few 928s, the forgotten Porsche in many respects. The metallic red one pictured here is apparently one of only two left in that colour, only available for 1984. I forget the name of the shade and Google isn’t helping. One of the 928s pictured was spotted in the public car park but it was nice enough to make the edit all the same. 911s were plentiful as usual, my favourite being a G-model in unusual Cashmere Beige. Eagle eyed viewers will also spot a familiar looking metallic blue 911T, the property of one Tony Wawryk of this parish. I was looking forward to picking holes in this car but somewhat disappointingly it is genuinely lovely.
Properly old cars were few and far between but a pair of pre-war Vauxhalls caught my eye. The bare aluminium bodied car is a 30/98 E-Type dating from 1922. These early Vauxhalls were highly desirable supercars for the super-rich, the E-Type having a 4.5 litre single carb engine pumping out 90 bhp. A bare chassis would have set you back £950, equivalent to about £57,000 today or about the same cost as three coffees and an ice cream from the catering van at Donington (flake not included).
Not far from the Vauxhalls stood an early DeTomaso Pantera which my companions were on the point of licking. Whilst I can appreciate the Pantera I prefer my rumbly American V8s in their original packaging so if it was my money on the table I’d go for the bright yellow Mustang Mach 1 instead, and a pocket full of change. In truth a 2WD Sierra Sapphire Cosworth is more my thing because I’m basically a yobbo. Hey, don’t judge me, I like what I like, okay?
Just to prove I have some taste and breeding I must admit to appreciating the Rover P4. I’m due to drive one of these soon and I’m greatly looking forward to it. They’re good-looking things and reassuringly solid. I’d be equally as keen to have a go in an Austin-Healey 3000, or a Healey 100 for that matter, but have yet to find anyone daft enough to chuck me the keys. The Jaguar XK120 is often cited as the benchmark for 1950s British sports car styling, but I think Austin-Healey pipped them in that regard. I’m led to believe values for 50s and 60s sports cars are starting to soften a little, but not so much that I’d notice the benefit.
I’ll leave you with the bonus gallery to conclude our coverage from the Donington Historic. It’s always a great day out and it would be good to see it return to its pre-pandemic popularity. I may even spring for a tank of Super-U next year to help make up the numbers. Perhaps you should too.
