Early motor car to be showcased at Shropshire Family Vintage Show

Hundreds of classic vehicles on show of every kind and colour will be at the show, including some unique items from Shropshire enthusiasts.

This summer Terry Leach from Shawbirch, Telford, will be wheeling his 1920 Model T Ford with Dixie Bodied Saloon Bus to the Greenhous West Mid Showground.

Mr Leach was a motor mechanic in the 1960s who went on to spend 46 years in the industry. This is when his own love of vehicles began.

He said: “Eight years ago I was trawling the internet looking for something special to restore and came across the Model T Hotel Bus for sale in the Scottish Borders. It was unique and fitted in nicely with two other coaches I restored during the 1990s and millennium.

“The vehicle was originally supplied by H K Brown Ford Motor Engineers based in Kirkaldy. It later moved to the Crown Hotel Thornton Fifeshire where it operated as a Hotel Bus. It was also owned by Drambuie at one time and is believed to have carried the secret essence used in its manufacture.

“My Model T attracts attention wherever I go because it is one of the first motorised carriages, following on from the horse-drawn carriage."

Show committee chairman, Richard Haynes, said: “We have hundreds of vehicles visiting us each year at the show, from all across the country.

"But it’s especially nice when we get some local vehicles on show and we get to glean some information about them individually. It’s fascinating to meet the current owners and hear about their history.

“As well as the vehicles, there is lots for all the family, including craft and trade stalls, autojumble, fairground rides, go karts, face painting, juggling, shire horses, the spectator sport tractor pulling, a village blacksmith and the well frequented beer tent and refreshment stands. The annual auction sale will take place on the Saturday at 10.30am.”

Crowds at the show, which runs from June 30 to July 1, will be able to catch Terry’s bus on the Sunday.

One of the aims of the event is to raise funds for local medical charities and since the formation, the club has donated in excess of £160,000.

Tickets are £10 and under 16s are free.

To find out more about the show visit midshropshirevintageclub.com