Carl Parry and wife with their Model A Sedan
April heralded the official start of the season at the
Preston Hop Up (Hoppers Rugby Club) and a mild evening aided by the clocks
having rolled back into BST meant that it was just right for a cruise out.
Carl Parry and wife with their Model A Sedan
We arrived good and early to be greeted by Pete and Dan on
the gate, doing sterling duty in welcoming the newcomers and explaining the
rules to anybody who might look like they need it.
Despite arriving at barely seven o’clock there was already a good line
up of motors on display, including a new all-steel Model A Sedan running a small
block Chevy with twin-fours and sat on a set of ProStar rims, which really
complemented the silver paint.
Stuart Jones was out with his recently acquired ’34 Ford
pickup, again an all-steel rod which was purchased via the hallowed pages of
HRG. The rod currently runs a 2.1
litre Volvo four-pot motor which Stuart is planning on seeing through the season
whilst he collects bits for a winter makeover.
First of the NSCC people to score points was Gary Leece,
having run down from Cumbria in his injected 5-litre Capri (last month’s
feature car) now having an 8” Mustang axle fitted and looking pretty much
ready to take on the Championship again. On
the subject, enter Chris McCullough with his new ride – the “other”
Cortina that was built alongside his now famous yellow one.
This is the white car car that Chris has taken over ownership of and
packs a 302 with ally heads – and boy does it sound tough!
Chris was looking understandably well chuffed when he rolled in with this
beautiful machine, having only collected it a couple of days earlier.
However the best entrance was reserved for Jon and Dave Smith in the
white ’68 Charger. Fresh back
from Dave Billadeau’s Brighouse Speed & Automotive, the Charger has been
given a complete resto job – and also been fitted with a 493ci Indy-headed
motor which is delivering the best part of 600 horse power.
There was an impressive array of Pontiacs in for the
night, a ’71 Tempest on big billet rims (sweet machine), Clive Atherton’s
’68 Firebird and a lovely silver bullnose to name but a few.
As darkness fell the usual suspects made their way over to
the clubhouse and saw off the rest of the evening – a good night had by all
and hopefully indicative of a prosperous summer ahead.
For a more comprehensive report and pictures checkout next month’s HRG.