The star of car show

Some 40 classic cars were lined up for inspection near the Old Bathing Station and, according to club chairman Dave Dickens-Smith, “generated a huge amount of interest from passers-by who were happy to stop and chat to owners of various vehicles.”

Perhaps the most unusual was the Volta electric car built by students of the town’s St Richard’s Catholic College under the leadership of former craft design technology teacher Peter Fairhurst. In 1993 the car gained a class world land speed record which still stands.

Club press officer Bob Wilkinson said: “Peter came along with his wife and after discovering he’d never actually sat in the car himself we persuaded him to do so and took a photograph.”

The Volta is usually displayed at Bexhill Museum in Egerton Road but while getting a seafront airing its place was taken by the 1961 Mini owned and restored by Mr Dickens-Smith, who said: “Many thanks are due to Steve Parker for use of his trailer to effect the swap over.

“I’d also like to thank the Museum, Rother District Council, our club members and all those people who came along to see our display. A similar event is planned for Sunday, July 26 before we hold our annual show at the Polegrove Recreation Ground on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29.”

Among the many exhibits was the club’s distinctive blue Austin A35 van, affectionately known as The Piglet, and saloon and sports cars spanning several decades.