An afternoon at Classics On The Green Friston in my 1971 Vitesse Mark 2

Join me as I take "Bess" to show off her new roof at the wonderful Thursday afternoon annual classic car show at Friston - arguably the best of the small Suffolk shows where I take a close up look at my favourite cars on display including Pre-war Triumphs, Rileys, and a great selection of Humbers, and Sunbeams and some immaculate Fords, Rolls Royce and a one owner original Volvo from the mid 70's.

[@seanhumfrey]

I may have misidentified the Tudor Black E Type Jaguar as being electric and confused it with the example on their website wearing a similar colour scheme. If anyone can confirm either way please let me know. Looking back at my own footage, the presence of the twin exhaust pipes suggests an embarrassing error on my part!

[@pachy444]

No it wasn't electric but the 'Hendrix' one was.

[@lordleonusa]

Thank You for sharing this show, I do miss going to shows in the UK, but I can live vicariously through your videos!

[@marks7197]

Very enjoyable video, thank you. Always nice to see events such as this. I've been lucky to have attended a few recently Baston Car show held at Grimsthorpe Castle where I met a university friend who'd been invited to display his Porsche and also accidentally found myself at the Rolls Royce and Bentley event at Burghley (although we'd only gone for a walk and didnt know it was on!)

[@seanhumfrey]

I am so pleased you enjoyed this. Car shows can be great ways to meet new people and share old memories.

[@lordleonusa]

Those Avantis are absolutely fabulous, so well built!

[@seanhumfrey]

I will have to research the Avanti. Fascinating car Leon.

[@mikeparsons2353]

thank you Sean a very enjoyable video again, my Dad used to drive a Humber, the Super Sniipe if I remember correctly, great name

[@seanhumfrey]

@@mikeparsons2353 thank you so much Mike. The Humber marque is such a significant one in British automotive history it deserves much more recognition. All beautiful cars. A most discerning choice by your father 👌

[@bryandavidson9682]

I was there too. It is the Classic Car event where you see the more rarer and unusual. Great Video, Well done. You have far more knowledge than me. Keep up the good work.

[@seanhumfrey]

Thanks so much Bryan. I'm a great fan of your work. I do agree with you, Friston is the best event of the year.

[@pachy444]

Thanks for another great vid, I was there again and that show never fails to impress.

[@seanhumfrey]

Thanks so much for your lovely comment.. I really agree with you about this show. 👍

[@bobspeller2225]

Another great show Sean, very nice hood job on the Vitesse. Lot of very nice classic, some Cars of the show: Humber Sceptre, Sunbeam Rapier, Tigers and Alpines and the Triumph Gloria.. Happy motoring and hope to meet up soon. Bob

[@seanhumfrey]

@@bobspeller2225 Thanks so much Bob. It's one of the best small shows in Suffolk and so lovely to see all the old Rootes cars there.

[@rodfryatt4266]

Well done, great show, I was there, I'm sure of that 'cos I saw myself!

[@seanhumfrey]

Thanks Rod. It was a great afternoon 😀

[@promerops]

Hello Sean! Thanks very much for another fine video. I wonder if my maternal grandfather was there in spirit. He was something of a car and motorbike enthusiast and he owned a Jowett Javelin and a Triumph Gloria. He also married a lady from Suffolk!

[@seanhumfrey]

Thanks Colin. Quite clearly he was a man with impeccable taste ❤️

[@promerops]

@@seanhumfrey I believe so!

[@roatavator]

Fantastic video Sean! What a splendid show, I will definitely make every effort to get there next year. I really don’t understand what all these drivers do with the milliseconds they save by pulling out in front of you or overtaking then turning off at the next junction. I can only suppose their time must be much more valuable than anyone else’s…. Love the new hood, really sets her off. You had one of my favourite cars park next to you, the amazing AC Aceca. Of course I love the Cobra like everybody does, but there’s a sort of period English purity about the Aceca design which sets it apart.

[@seanhumfrey]

Thanks so much Peter. It is my favourite show, so it would be great to have you along next year. Agree with you entirely on the AC. Stunning car but it left before I got back with the camera. I have decided that the Audi driver lives for the adrenaline rush. Just hope he doesn't die from it or take out someone else getting his fix😬

[@lordleonusa]

To quote Colin Chapman, when he was asked what the plural of Lotus was, "don't be so bloody stupid, it's Lotuses!" 😀

[@lordleonusa]

I like the TR2 front, because the shape was modeled on the air intakes of the contemporary deHaviland Comet 106 airliner.

[@seanhumfrey]

I had no idea. I guess it's similar to the Standard 8. I never used to like them but as I get older the simplicity of the design appeals more and more.

[@lordleonusa]

Don't forget that during WW2, after the original Triumph Company had been purchases by Standard, they were busy building over a thousand wooden wonders, aka The Mosquito, for which John Black got a Knighthood. After the war, Standard were building Triumph Roadsters, and I believe the front wings were made using the engine cowling machinery, or surplus parts? from the Mosquitos? Standard and Triumph names were used side-by-side until 1963, when the Standard name was finally dropped in favour of the more glamorous sounding Triumph name, which is why the commission plates on Heralds and Vitesses say Standard-Triumph on them.😢

[@johnmcfarland9630]

Shame on me Sean I failed to notice the new roof, too focused on getting to the tea and cakes. 😂

[@seanhumfrey]

@@johnmcfarland9630 tea and cake is far more important 😀👍

[@lordleonusa]

I think the Ford Corsair followed the design cues of that Ford Thunderbird, in much the same way as the Herald followed the cues of the 1957 Ford Thunderbird and the Vitesse followed the 1959 Buick Electra 225.

[@seanhumfrey]

I hadn't thought of the similarity with the Electra, but now I can't unsee it😂

[@lordleonusa]

In Sweden, they call those Volvos, "Tanks".

[@lordleonusa]

Ah "Bunk off", there's a British phrase I haven't heard in many a year!

[@seanhumfrey]

I hadn't thought about it before, Leon. I wonder where the phrase comes from? Royal Navy I guess.

[@lordleonusa]

@@seanhumfrey The phrase "bunk off" is believed to have originated in Ireland. It is commonly used in Irish English and has also gained popularity in other English-speaking regions.

[@seanhumfrey]

I wonder if bunk has a different meaning to the Irish?

[@Fintoman]

There is no need for reasons or excuses. "A gentleman never drives a motor car without gloves" will suffice.😂 In all serioness I think they're quite stylish, very natty.

[@seanhumfrey]

You Sir, are a gentleman 🙏😂

[@lordleonusa]

I wear gloves with my original Vitesse wheel, not for grip, as my black mamba steering wheel cover, which has plenty of grip, but because, in the Summer here, the wheel is simply too hot to touch!

[@seanhumfrey]

Hard to imagine a hot steering wheel this summer Leon. It's still 3 layers for me at the moment 😂

[@lordleonusa]

Do Alvis still make tanks?

[@seanhumfrey]

I am not sure. I remember them as armour car makers. Such wonderful cars in their day. Certainly at the top of my wish list.