1960s icon scoops winning spot at Classic Car Spectacular

Motoring enthusiasts turned out in force for a special gathering of vintage vehicles and modern classics at the Lakeland Motor Museum – with a 1960s classic scooping a prestigious trophy on the day.

A special ‘Drive and Ride In’ event over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend welcomed owners of classic motor cars, motorcycles, trucks and vans to display their pride and joy just outside the museum for other visitors to view.

Derek Parrot travelled over from Consett in County Durham to join the event in his blue 1966 Austin Mini Cooper S and was rewarded with a special ‘Best of the Day’ trophy. His first car was a Mini and he purchased his current Cooper S in the 2020 lockdown.

Chris Lowe, Curator at the Lakeland Motor Museum, says: “It’s fantastic to see a rare Cooper S still being used whatever the weather. Dating back to January 1966, it reminds me of England winning the World Cup that year and the red, white and blue Minis which featured in one of the decade’s standout films, the Italian Job!

“Congratulations to Derek and thank you for everyone who took part in another successful ‘Drive and Ride In’ event. It’s always a great social gathering and a chance for people of all ages to take a closer look at vehicles from a range of different eras, both outside and inside the Museum.”

The Spring Drive and Ride In event is just one of three similar gatherings planned for 2024, with the others scheduled to take place on Saturday 5 October and Tuesday 26 December (Boxing Day). Each has a special trophy the winner can then keep for a full year.

There is also a monthly morning event on the first Saturday of each month (10am-12pm) running throughout the year. As well as vintage marques spanning much of the 20^th century, a selection of modern classics and high-performance cars from the last decade are welcome to participate.