By GEMMA BROWN gemma.brown@hexham-courant.co.uk

Last updated at 13:28, Friday, 15 May 2009

VINTAGE vehicles and striking supercars from across the country were admired by the crowds at two Tynedale events on Sunday.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

At Kielder the third annual vintage vehicle rally, organised by Bellingham motor enthusiast Wesley Turnbull and hosted by the Forestry Commission, got underway in classic style.

Over 140 machines from yesteryear, from the legendary Ford Model T to the 1970s Morris Marina, along with classic tractors and motorbikes, parked up for the day at Kielder Castle, offering a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era.

Retired jumbo jet flight engineer Mr Turnbull (65) said: “Sunday was a big change from the first year we did the rally, which was basically a complete wash-out.

“This year we had good weather and I think that helped encourage a good turnout of, not only the vehicle owners with their vehicles, but the visitors came out in force too.”

From Wetherby to Workington, mad keen motorists from far and wide travelled to the tip of the North Tyne valley to pay homage to the impressive display.

A lifelong vintage motor fan, Mr Turnbull also got a chance to show off his latest restoration project on Sunday, which has seen him not only reaching for the oil can and spanners – but also calling in a carpenter.

For the bodywork of the extremely rare 1960s Ford Thames he found in a barn in Durham is made of wood.

Mr Turnbull’s pick-up is one of only 300 left in the world.

He said: “Like a lot of vehicles from this era, much of the body work was actually built of wood.

“Luckily I’ve been able to call on the services of a retired coach builder from Hexham to help with the overhaul.

“I’ve also stripped the truck down to its nuts and bolts, so it’s now in fine fettle and worth a heck of a lot more than it originally sold for.”

Mr Turnbull came across the truck in the barn where it had been stored for 38 years, which accounts for the vehicle’s astonishingly low mileage, with just 16,000 miles on the clock.

After appearing at the rally as a flat bed truck, the restoration of the body work will continue until the vehicle is back to its former glory.

Meanwhile in Corbridge more than 150 cars which wouldn’t look out of place in a James Bond film lined the fields and pavements surrounding The Dyvels Inn.

Fast and furious cars from Lotus, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Ferrari turned out in force from as far afield as Glasgow, Edinburgh and Leeds.

In a repeat of an event which has tripled in size since last year, David and Gemma Harding, who run the popular hostelry, managed to cram together around 150 of the super cool cars.

David, who admits he has a personal passion for for the extraordinary vehicles, said: “We have had a much bigger response than last year and, at the rate the event is grow-ing, it is going to become too big for just an average pub meet.

“The plan is to turn the event into a full show, which can hopefully be held at Tynedale Rugby Club from next year, as the success has been so much greater than I ever imagined.”

First published at 09:37, Friday, 15 May 2009
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk