:: [ SVVS at Reigate Tunnel by the Sand Caves- September 2006 ] ::

The SVVS was again invited by the Reigate Business Guild to display our vintage and classic vehicles in old Tunnel Road above the Reigate Caves in the support of the National Heritage Open Day Scheme. The event was held in conjunction with the Cave Society. The following text is based on the SVVS Magazine report by Chas Moody and the photos are by Bozi Mohacek.  Please click on any thumbnail picture below to see the full size picture. To return to the thumbnails please click the Explorer "Back" arrow (top left of screen). 

 

Unpredictable might be an apt description for the Reigate Tunnel Display, having no formal entry and clashing as it does with the date of the Beaulieu Autojumble. Couple this with the vagaries of the weather and it is easy to see why it is impossible to know who – or what, will turn up! Any fears on the attendance front however, were quickly dispelled with the arrival of Edward and Maureen Lake, a good half hour before our ‘official’ start time with their immaculate Austin Healey 3000. This car was manufactured during the first two months of the introduction of the 3000 series in 1959 and sounds wonderful with its twin side exit exhausts. 

     

Reigate regular Tony Russell, a welcome sight in his 1937 7W Ford 10 sports tourer was swiftly followed by the well appointed 1934 Morris Oxford Six saloon of Frank Hayter. The Moody 1928 Morris Cowley was manoeuvred between these two vehicles in a ‘musical cars’ interlude! The stylish lines of Julian and Thelma Alderton’s 1948 model Y MG. started the line-up of a completely unplanned section of sporting cars, which continued with Don Westcott’s 1956 Jaguar XK140, the sweeping lines of its coupe body drew many admiring comments. The 1500cc Triumph Spitfire of Brian and Lucy Rice was made a month before production ceased in 1980 and sports a factory hardtop which unlike many of the after-market jobs is substantially made in steel with opening rear quarter-lights. Roger Horstman’s Triumph TR2 dates from 1955 and has a four speed gearbox with overdrive on 2nd 3rd and top, which sounds a bit confusing! Next arrivals were Bob Hubbard and Karen McBride with ‘His and Hers’ MG.B’s. Bob has a 1977 Jubilee model MG.B GT, and Karen a rare 1978 ‘O’ Series Roadster. 

     

By now, our display was back in the tunnel, leaving room for the activities of the Wealden Cave & Mine Society who were conducting guided tours of the East and West caves. Among our own members who took the opportunity of visiting these and some of the other Heritage Day attractions were Keith and Avril Piper, who brought their magnificent 1965 Aston martin DB5 Vantage roadster, one of only 12 manufactured. They don’t come any rarer however, than Roger Bishop’s 1924 Bullnose Morris commercial Travellers model. Of the hundreds, or possibly thousands made, it is the only known surviving example. Roger and wife Pam visited a local Heritage attraction during the afternoon – the only working wind powered sawmill in the country, which sounded interesting! The Riley marque was represented by the attractively styled RME of 1952 vintage driven by Tony Simmons, followed by Howard Palmer in the delightful 1934 Lagonda Rapier with sporting bodywork by the Abbott coachworks. By now it was getting near lunch-time, our display had reached the north end of the tunnel and we were running out of traffic cones but still they kept coming! 

     

Clive Bracey and Hilary in the fabulous 1927 Red Label Bentley, Chris Geary with his 1953 Alvis TA21 saloon, Bozi Mohacek with 1921 Citroen 5.CV Cabriolet, then Tony Russell’s son Phil with his very smart Toyota MR2 Mk.1, sporting a ‘FOR SALE’ sign. Phil was trying to raise some cash prior to returning to University. I don’t know if he had any luck, but if anyone wants a reasonably priced MR2 give Tony a call! Tony Tester arrived well into the afternoon with his 1929 Chrysler 75 Phaeton followed by Frazer and Linda in the 1938 Wolseley 14/56 saloon. Our final arrival was Alan Reid with his 1935 BSA model G14 solo motorcycle with its big woolly 1000cc ‘V’ twin engine. Alan was on his way home after visiting Brooklands and dropped in to see us – how wonderful! We found a space for his machine in the front section of our display and he qualified for a bottle of plonk compliments of Reigate Business Guild! Talking of which, we had a couple of bottles left over and I wondered if anyone had missed out in the general confusion. If so, please see me at the next meeting and I will tell you what it tasted like! Many thanks to co-conspirator Tony Russell and all who came along at whatever time, we hope you enjoyed the day and found something of interest in the town.                                                                                     (Chas Moody - Head of cones and stripey tape !)

  

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