Club motors on into next decade with display of vehicles

Sunderland & District Classic Vehicle Society annual show at Seaburn, yesterday.

Sunderland and District Classic Vehicle Society put 150 vehicles on show at Cliffe Park in Seaburn today as it held its annual show on the seafront.

Veteran vehicles dating from 1910 to 1932, pre-war models and modern classics were among those to be put on display.

Glen Butler with his son Alfie (4) looking at some of the cars at the Sunderland & District Classic Vehicle Society annual show at Seaburn, yesterday.

Many have ben used in filming period dramas in films - from Heartbeat to a 1974 ambulance, which featured in The Bank Job, staring Jason Statham.

Eddie Crann, event organiser, put his family’s citron-coloured MGB GT on show.

He said: “We got together in 1996 when we met up at the Board Inn one weekend and decided we should start up a club. It went from there to what you see today.

“It’s been 20 years of graft but we now have 160 members.

“Most members have their own classic car, some have several because they are big enthusiasts.

“We have about six events throughout the year, but this is the main one.”

He added: “It’s good to see people walking about, taking a look, and sharing memories. That’s what it’s about.

“People have great memories of classic cars. One man came and sat in the back of one of mine one day and was in tears because it reminded him of his dad.

Trying to keep his pride & joy dry in Sundays adverse weather conditions is this exhibitor at the Sunderland & District Classic Vehicle Society annual show at Seaburn.

“They takes people back to a more simple age, because modern cars are so much more complicated.”

The next event in the club’s calendar is at Horns Garden Centre in Shotton Colliery on the weekend of August 20 and 21 in aid of St Cuthbert’s Hospice.

The end of season rally will be at Ryhope Engines Museum on Sunday, October 30, which is for pre-1998 motors only.

More details can be found via the club’s Facebook page.