Strong line-up promised for classic motor show

The ever-popular Shetland Classic Motor Show is scheduled for 2nd and 3rd June at the Clickimin Centre in Lerwick and the range of exhibits and features is again looking impressive.

The tractor exhibits range from the wartime Ford Ferguson through various types of “iron horse”, the full range of grey Fergies and examples from Fordson, Massey-Ferguson and David Brown.

Among the visiting commercials are heavies from AEC, Austin, ERF, Guy and Morris, while there is also a Leyland Leopard bus coming all the way from Staffordshire.

Local exhibits making their debut this year include Ian Isbister’s wartime Bedford OY and Colin Nicholson’s recently restored bulk powder tanker trailer which came to Shetland new in 1978. Light commercials include familiar models from Austin, Morris and Reliant.

On the car side the sports car line-up looks particularly strong with Triumph TRs from 4 to 6, the TR cousin Swallow Doretti plus Spitfire, Stag and Roadster. The big Austin-Healeys will be at Clickimin in strength, from the early 100 four-cylinder through to the final 3000 six-cylinder model. Two pre-war MGs will be accompanied by assorted MG Midgets and Bs, notable in their golden jubilee year.

The Ford range is particularly strong from two Model Ts through to the Cortinas, Escorts and Granadas which were so popular in Shetland from the 1960s to 1980s.

Brian Gifford’s Humber Imperial joins several Sceptres and a visiting Singer Vogue from the Netherlands, and Erik Erasmuson’s ongoing 1923 Bean restoration will be in the company of two visiting Beans.

Other local exhibits which will debut at this show include Raymond Irvine’s Citroën Ami, Jim Laurenson’s Vauxhall Cresta PA, Larry Moncrieff’s Sunbeam Imp Sport, Robert Sinclair’s TVR Cerbera, Paul Rutherford’s Vauxhall Viscount and James Tetley Anderson’s rare Datsun 1200 Coupe.

Visiting rarities include a 1933 BSA three-wheeler, 1951 Lea-Francis saloon, 1930 Rolls-Royce 20/25 and 1929 Morris Oxford Six Coupe. And on Sunday 3rd June only, Bill Spence from Orkney has arranged a visiting “Diamond Jubilee Tour of Ultima Thule”, with an amazing 22 vintage and veteran cars.

Spokesman Graham Johnston said: “Yet again the Shetland Classic Motor Show, which now has a national reputation as an exceptional regional show, has attracted a wonderful selection of exhibits from 100 years of motoring history.

“Visiting and local exhibitors in their hundreds will pull out all the stops to put on an exceptionally entertaining and informative show at Clickimin. Don’t miss the chance to see over 220 rare and valuable classic cars, commercials and tractors on 2nd and 3rd June.”