OK a few words and a lot of pics that's the way forward!

Big thanks to Mark Smith at Capri 280 Register for arranging the 280 section of the Classic Car Show of the Capesthorne Hall on Sunday 29th May 2005.

To be fair I reckoned on maybe a hundred or so 280's attending but at the final count there were around 37 Brookies at the show, which when you think about was still quite a feat as there was no other marque with more than two of the same car there!

The quality of the 280's that did attend was exceptional and I'm gutted to say mine was NOT the best there this time! But as I'd only had mine 7 days that's a bit understandable. I met up with some Capri folk that are becoming regulars at Ford Fair and other Capri events - almost getting like a family now. There were at least 4 stunning 280's that couldn't be at the show as the owners were on hols, working as on call Doctors. The reason I know they're stunning cars is because they were mine in the recent past!

One big surprise was meeting Malcolm S who bought one of my Brookies over 6 years ago - he was there with the car and it was looking really nice - he's only put 3,000 on it since I sold it. Well done Malc - and call me if you want to sell it.........

Nice to see Eugene S from NI - with his ultra-low miles 280, and a couple of very nice ones from London and the South West. In some ways seeing so many 280's together was almost a disappointment - what? I hear you say. Yes, because a 280 looks best when it is on it's own or else in a line of other cars so it stands out as a sleek, gorgeous piece of design from yesteryear that the designers of today can't emulate. So when you put 37 of them together the 280 loses it's 'uniqueness' a bit - if you get my drift? When I post the pics of them in the arena you'll see what I mean.

On the Monday we saw about 50 Yanks enter the arena and they were all different - that's what made it, er, different. Anyway I'd love to see all the remaining 280's lined up somewhere (maybe my driveway - well that's what my wife thinks my quest is........ shhh say nowt.

At the end of the show we were all invited to drive our 280's into the main arena where the judges had been issuing awards all day. We ended up with 31 Capri 280's and whilst it wasn't representative of the 300-400 remaining Brookies alive today - it was quite a one off event. I have never seen 31 x 280's in the same square arena before. Don't think anyone else had either.

Of course there is always something quirky and this part of the day was no exception............... The compare for the day announced at 2p.m. that all 280's should assemble for the parade by 3.30p.m. So we told all 280 drivers to be ready. Then it was announced over the PA that all 280's would enter the arena (just like the scene from Gladiator) - and we were all excited to let the hordes of visitors see our beloved cars.

We lined up outside and after 10 minutes began to drive slowly in, savouring every moment, until at last Brookie number 31 came in followed by a WHITE Capri 2.8 !!!!!!!! which lined up in the concentric circles that had formed inside the arena. Now, I'm not Albert Einstein, but if I had been watching 31 Capri 280's in their green, red/white pin stripes going into the Capri 280 arena, to show off the largest collection of Capri 280's in the last decade - I would probably have thought -" hmmm.......my white Capri 2.8 - gonna stick out a bit here???" Bit like a polar bear gate-crashing the Brown Bears National Convention. But matey? no such inhibitions - in he drove - large as life, white as Jacko's face, and lined up with the 280's. I nearly said something to him, but protocol prevented me. Anyhow, what if I'd woken him up and he'd realised where he was? Could have caused a scene!! Hey ho - next time we'll have to flash up some pictures as well as the PA announcement.

Overall a very nice day, great venue and the weather was superb. So superb that we went back on Monday to see the American stuff. Here's some pics for you to drool over.

 

 

Sorry - few non Fords crept in but not many - hope you enjoyed the view - after the long download!!!

 

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