'Stirling Moss isn't here yet'

VAZON car park was taken back in time yesterday as classic motors lined up for the monthly Guernsey Classic Vehicle Club gathering. The vehicles, almost all in original condition, were then taken for a group drive around the island.

Their owners took time out over coffee to discuss their prized possessions. 'We chat about cars, mostly, and swap information and suggestions. We're pretty much like the classic car version of the Women's Institute,' said committee member John Bichard, whose 1977 Triumph Spitfire was absent because work on it had not been finished.

The club has more than 50 members and this year marks its 25th anniversary. Its president, although he has never attended a club event, is 77-year-old Sir Stirling Moss, known as the greatest driver never to win the world championship.

'A couple of the members wrote to him inviting him to be president and he wrote back to accept. I looked around for him today, but I don't think he's here yet,' said Mr Bichard.

Vehicles at the meeting varied from a Morris Minor to a 1948 Austin K8, owned by Keith and Richard Bachelet. The brothers saved the wrecker three years ago when they saw it was going to be dumped.

'I thought, ?no way are they going to dump that?, so we took it off their hands. It didn't even need a great deal of work,' said Richard, who also owns a classic tractor.

The Austin was Ash's Garage's recovery vehicle. The business was at the top of the Grange, where Bougourd Bros is today. It was also used as a tow-truck for hill climbs at Le Val des Terres.

'The reason we like classic cars is because it's about preserving history and heritage,' said Richard.

That sentiment was shared by most of the people who attended, although one young owner was more interested in the colour of his car than its historical significance. Four-year-old Jean-Luc Nicolle was there with his MGB GT and his father, Ken, who was doing the driving.

'I like it because it's red,' he said.

Mr Nicolle, a banker, has been a member of the club for six years and owns a 1970 1300 GT.

'It's a very social thing to do. We get to see different cars and most people here are very good friends.'

Enthusiast Reuben Gaudion owns almost 60 vehicles, many of which are classic cars and many are abroad being used in charity work. He was there with his white 1974 Austin Allegro, which he bought last month. Until then, it had not been on the roads since 1993.

'It's a hobby and it gives me something to do.'

For member Derek Le Page, it is all about the driving. He was there with his 1974 Triumph Dolomite, which he bought six months ago. The car still has the original green paintwork, upholstery and wood-finish dashboard.

'The best thing about classic cars has got to be driving them. When you change gear, there's no assistance - it's just you and the car.'

Forthcoming club events include an autojumble at the Friquet Plant Centre on 7 April, which will be a car-boot sale of all things motoring-related.

On 27 May, in Saumarez Park, it will stage its annual show and will also be celebrating its anniversary.