GLORIOUS sunshine brought large numbers of pristine cars and spectators to a record-breaking Festival of Transport in Farnham’s Upper Hart car park last Sunday.

There were more cars than ever before with a total of 127 attending - ranging from the 1903 Speedwell belonging to Heral proprietor Sir Ray Tindle to the latest supercars, including Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Nobles.

There were truly spectacular cars such as Robert Lewis’s 1953 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing, one of only 150 ever made, and a 1911 Model T Ford, to novelty cars such as the Noddy Car (a 1972 Fiat Gamine), and the fastest four-poster bed in the world, provided by Motest.

The prize for the best overall car in the show was won by Tony Nappin with his rare Renault Floride S dating from 1962. Tony also won the award for the best car in his category of cars after 1936.

Other winners were John Emmerton for the best car in the pre-1936 range with his pretty Austin 7 Tourer, having won the same award with the same car 11 years earlier.

The ‘most interesting’ car in this category was the 1911 Model T Ford owned by Rodger Florio.

The best Classic Car was the 1938 Austin Big 7 Sixlite of Trevor Strudwick, and the best Turned Out was the very smart 1960 Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire of Brian and Angela Smith.

There was also a good assembly of motorcycles, and the best in this category was won by Michael and Connie Baker for their 1962 Triumph Thunderbird.

Finally there was a prize for the driver who raised the most money in sponsorship, and this was Roger Cooper.

After the judges had carried out their full inspections, the cars departed on a tour of the town and, for some, a spin to Alton and back.

During the whole day, the crowds were kept entertained by the Rock Choir and dynamic 60s band, The Dolomites, to which many couldn’t help but hit the dance floor.

There was also plenty to eat and drink, including Hobo’s artisan coffee and cakes - plus a first public outing for Hermanos Tacos, a Mexican food van run by best friends James Rolfe and Rupert Barter from Farnham.

James, whose family have run The William Cobbett pub for more than 30 years, and Rupert have known each other since year three at primary school.

Now in their early 30s, and on the back of Rupert’s travels in Mexico, the duo recently decided to buy a Citroen market van in a bid to “create a street food scene in Farnham”, and they can be found by searching for ‘Hermanos Taco Truck’ on Facebook.

In all, this year’s Festival of Transport raised more than £1,600 through sponsorship and stall hire, with all funds (including that generated by the Pimms raffle) to be donated to Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.

The organisers, the Farnham Herald and Farnham Weyside Rotary Club would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the 2018 festival.

Addressing the crowd, Phyllis Tuckwell’s joint vice-chairman Ian Trotter said: “Thank you all for supporting Phyllis Tuckwell so generously. It costs us approximately £20,000 a day to keep operating, so your support is absolutely vital.”

Herald general manager Eddie Pearce added his thanks to the judges Robert Lewis, the Mayor of Farnham, David Attfield, Phyllis Tuckwell’s Ian Trotter and the Herald’s Simon Farrant, as well as the Rotary Club for its “marvellous support”.

Mr Pearce also paid tribute to the late Dave Stallard, who established the Festival of Transport many years ago alongside Herald proprietor Sir Ray Tindle, adding “without them we wouldn’t have this event here today”. Sir Ray was in attendance, together with his wife Lady Tindle.