Man-O-Man, where do I start?? Shall I save you all the pain of reading a new blog and just republish last years?? If I did then I wouldn’t have the chance to get all gooey, reminiscing about yet another awesome weekend at Gaydon or as I like to call it, the Retro Truckstop Weekender! The show it’s self had 401 trucks on Sunday mornings count up. That includes everything inside the main gate. Now one quick note for the organisers, quite a few commented that there were a few too many “new” trucks, make of that what you will and perhaps it’s a discussion point or comment below? Then again without enough trucks the show wouldn’t be what it is….. awesome.

No one can disagree that there were more trucks than ever and more trucks that I’d not seen before. Being a Merc fan, we even had a Merc corner which was a first, the Stuttgart Stars. The standard of restoration, preservation or any other ‘ation, was incredible. We have to remember than not everyone has the budget to restore from the chassis rails up, so for all of you, like me who can just about afford to keep your pride and retro-joy road worthy and MOT’d, you’re doing just as important a job. We have to keep as many old trucks on the road as possible, other wise they will end up at the mercy of the nearest gas axe. I think another point that was very noticeable was the increase in manufacturers. Some years it seems that there are only newly restored Scania’s and Volvo’s coming on the scene (no bad thing), but this year their were Fords, Scammells, Magirus Deutz, ERF’s, an amazing Scottish DAF that had had the full piggy bank thrown at it and it looked better than new, simply delightful. One thing that is very apparent about the Retro Show, is that it is the show for the fans and the lovers of your own favourite manufacturer. Even if you aren’t a fan, then everyone present can appreciate each and every truck on show for what they are. I’m sitting here writing this wondering how on Earth I’m going to choose which photos to include!

CLICK HERE to see all my retro show photos.

I know I’ve said it each year and again now but one of the most enjoyable parts of the show is the people that attend. You genuinely can’t walk more than 50 metres without seeing or meeting someone else to chat too or catch up with. I think the best I heard, was someone who’d been at the show for 3 hours and had barely made it to the end of the first row of trucks! Whether it’s chatting about a truck on show, seeing old friends, making new ones or just joining in a conversation as us drivers like to do, it is by far the most sociable show with the least amount of ego’s you’ll find in the UK. I think most are gently surprised when someone likes their old truck, much how I felt when people kept coming over to the 814 and saying how much they loved it as it bought back many memories of peoples first truck. Made me smile anyway.

The social element and banter is present all week and their were countless “moments” where everyone gets a ribbing from their counterparts. Then their are the serial collectors and proper encyclopaedia types who know their trucks better than The manufacturers who built them. Peoples knowledge is genuinely amazing. If you need to know something there will be someone at the show who can tell you who you need to talk too. Then there are just the trucking VIP’s who everyone knows and has a chat and a laugh with. To name a few; the King and Queen, or Trevor and Jody Rowell, Keith Storey, Fred Parker, Mark Farrow, Richard Payne, Nick Bull, Karl Skilton, Nick Pelosi, Uel McCullough, Miss Hopton and Master Hopton and the list goes on. Sharing a beer is one thing, having a good chat and a joke is another, so when you can do both together surrounded by some mates and the trucks of the golden years of UK haulage, what more could you possibly want?!?….. oh yea delicious home cooked food and a delicious cooked breakfast from a team who have to put up with same old drivers jokes with each new punter! It is truly a great weekend and for me the best show in the UK currently. Appreciated it’s not for everyone but the social side and the trucks from my childhood make it so.

A final few more mentions, the amazing MAN Roadhaus from Wexford, the living 79 year old legend and still driving international Mike Dunston, nice to see a few Magnums on the scene, Nick Pelosi’s face when he heard some 80’s hits banging out my 814’s stereo, the sound of a Transcon with a Detroit engine, Carl Jones for pointing out my fuel cap was off as I drove out the show, yep in front of all the cameras, check your pictures, what a twit! Other than that just a big thank you to Lee Herbert and his team who make the show a complete joy in all respects. I can’t wait for next year, the Gr814 and I will be back.