Devon Vintage Car Show
Beyond classic cars, lies true vintage. Those that resemble to definitive era before the modern era of familiarity was introduced sometime in the late 50s/60s. Cars of the vintage era are typically pre 1950s, and that is what I have gathered today from my archive of car show photography.
Time for a Jeep!
You may have seen the pretty wild Jeep featured in my previous post, here's something with an entirely more original look!
Very much a hose down interior, ready for rough terrain. Note the 2 additional gear selectors for the 4 wheel drive.
Originally the 'Willys Jeep' this was the original military Jeep used by the US Army. They were introduced around 1945, so count as proper vintage vehicles today. Almost 80 years old. Some must have ended up in the UK at some point, as you do often come across them at shows.
Very much sticking to as many original or period details as possible here. It's the work of a master.
Never leave home without your shovel and axe!
Close up of the controls, which may look intimidating to the uninitiated. There's a few things to contend with, like heavy clutch and brakes, a big wand manual stick shift, and 4 different drive modes for 2WD, 4WD, high range and low range.
The canvas top gives plenty of character. Occupants don't appear to have much else in the way of protection from the elements however! At least soldiers would be able to leap in and out and shoot from it easily.
The big rope suggests a winch. Not sure if there is one hidden behind or able to be hooked up, or just for effect?
Nash Metropolitan
Now something different from the 1950s. Designed in America and assembled in England, this wasn't your typical 'bigger is better' American car. It is a compact thing which had economy in mind. However there are many American styling cues and very neat features about this car.
The bodywork is full of elegant curves and I like how the grill has a neat character line plus the smart pattern of squares running across it. The proportions including the headlights and indicator placement just below are just right.
Very stylish chrome badging.
The styling gets even more interesting moving up the car from the A pillar where the chrome strip dramatically drops down, and the top of the door panel has that unusual scoop along the window line. It gets more curious the longer you look, and I couldn't help viewing this car for quite some time.
It has the air of some miniaturized version of those huge American cars of the same era.
Inside is indeed quite cozy, this isn't a large car. There is a bench seat ... probably a great car for a slender couple to go touring in.
Just about room for 2 upfront. The back seats were more of a token affair, or best saved for luggage.
From the side. Stylish, mini Cadallic? Or ridiculous? You decide ...
You can't deny it's got some elegance to it. If you want to be asked forever 'what is it' then buy one of these. You won't see one coming the other way.
Rear view
Post War MG sports cars
Kicking off with a very racy cockpit, note the speedo on the left passenger side. Perhaps for rallying with a co-pilot/navigator.
Very sporty look about this one. It appears to have extra wind deflectors behind the windshield, not sure if the windshield is removable in this case.
Open top motoring, 1940s style
A very cute dog in a very cute vintage MG. Morris Garage cars looked like this a very long time ago, before BMW (as part of Rover group takeover, then sold the MG brand to China which is the modern ones you see today. A far cry from this heritage, perhaps they'll come up with some retro model in the future?
A collection of post-war era MGs. Very popular in their day as affordable sports cars.
Again, tell me in the comments if you know what kind of an MG this is.
A very old MG, perhaps a TF, as I don't know a lot about these cars. It's post-war era.
The picnic basket, the essential accessory of the era.
More wartime heroes
An MG
Finishing on a Jaguar
Something that won't be easy to continue however since the last post did, so will this! An XK this time also from the 1950s, also making it a true vintage. One of the fastest cars in the world in its day.
Thanks for viewing! See you soon for more.