Coffee & Chrome at Boxengasse: June 2024 Show Report
For the first time, the Coffee & Chrome Collective visited Boxengasse, hosting Footman James’ ever-popular event in the grounds of the venue on the edge of Bicester.
Taking place on Sunday 30th June, the event was understandably heavily Porsche biased considering Boxengasse’s links with the Stuttgart manufacturer – it pitches itself as 'the Porsche fraternity'. At one point almost one in every two cars parked up bore a Porsche badge, and even when everyone had arrived, that ratio was still somewhere between a quarter and a third.
But as ever, there were a wide variety of different vehicles parked up, as visitors made the most of the food and drink vans, and band playing, taking the chance to look about the Porsche models parked outside the various businesses housed on site.
As always, we have picked some of our favourites to highlight below.
1972 Alfa Romeo GT Junior
Originally a 1300 GT Junior, this rather wonderful Alfa Romeo has had an engine upgrade, seeing a 2.0-litre unit installed up front, in place of the smaller four-pot. As a machine, it has been well-fettled, and is hill-climbed regularly, with many of the modifications enhancing its sprint capabilities.
As well as the engine change, it has undergone a full bare-metal respray, been ‘debumpered’, a sportier grille installed, Alfaholics GTA wheels added, suspension tweaked, limited-slip differential put in, and roll-cage inserted.
The changes have not just been to make things faster, but also easier for owner Stewart to drive reliably day-to-day. And this point is crucial – it’s a brilliant example of an Alfa Romeo that is used and competed in regularly, with great care taken of it.
1964 Gordon-Keeble G-K1
This classic grand tourer is one of just 99 models ever made, though the Gordon-Keeble Club reckons there are still more than 90 in existence. This example is both loved, and used as intended, racking up the miles thanks to trips to events in the UK and abroad, taking in countries such as Ireland, Germany, and France.
It has been resprayed, keeping the original colour, but is otherwise essentially in original condition. That includes the 4.6-litre Chevrolet V8 and Giugaro-styled bodywork, as well as the four-seater GT interior.
Owned by David for more than 30 years now, it is a repeat visitor to C&CC meets, and we thought it deserved recognition for what is an unusual, and highly-desirable example of a British Grand Tourer from the 1960s.
1983 Fiat 124 Spider
A beautifully maintained, late edition of Fiat’s original 124 Spider, it has been in the same ownership for the last 32 years. Benefitting from originally being exported from Pinanfarina’s works in Italy to the United States in early 1984, it was first registered in California in 1986.
Having spent a few years in the dry heat of western America, it was imported to the UK in 1991, when it was given a Waxoil treatment to keep the beautiful convertible in top condition. Clearly it was specified originally to a high level, because the tan leather interior and Azzure Blue paint look stunning – and have been extremely well looked after.
The 2.0-litre Fiat twin-cam engine had a top-end rebuild, starting in winter 2014, by recognised racing engine expert Guy Croft, and this fine example of Fiat’s initially 60’s Spider is used both in the UK and continental Europe.
Perfect Porsches
In a departure from our usual format, considering the high number of Porsche models on show at this edition of C&CC, we have decided to round them up together. The models above stood out as key classic cars, and there were others where we didn’t get to speak to the owners – such is the nature of the event – including a gorgeous 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE, and immaculate 1982 Lotus Eclat.
However, naturally this report had to feature more than one Porsche given the mix of models at the event, and we could have picked a huge variety of cars to highlight – it was tough to narrow it down.
But narrowed it down we have, starting with this 1984 Porsche 924… or is it? Essentially, yes; though originally it was a Porsche 944. Owner Steve has spent a lot of time converting it into his dream poster car, a 924 Carrera GTS.
This has seen a modified bonnet fitted, stripped out interior with racing seats installed and spare wheel mounted. It initially had a sun-roof but this has been taken out and the hole filled in, as well as other features such as modified bumpers mounted. A GTS spoiler was found and added to the rear, as well as the pop-up headlights switched to glazed units. The whole front end comes from a Porsche 924 Turbo.
It took more than two years to complete the work, and the ‘924’ has ended up over 200kg lighter than the base model.
One of the most eye-catching models parked up was this baby-blue 911. Although it looks like an early 911, it’s actually a back-dated, retro-fitted 1985 model, but it has been carried out wonderfully inside and out. The tweaks to the front and rear of this 911 are seamless, and the interior features period inspired cloth and leather upholstery. Modifying cars isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but when it’s done well, there are few complaints – and this one is superb.
Finally, this 1973 911S stood out as an interesting example. Almost able to drive to Boxengasse on auto-pilot, the coupe has been maintained by AutoFarm – based on site – for over the years, though started out as an AFN demonstrator, between September 1973 and June 1974, when it was then purchased by racer Bernard Worth, by which time it had clocked up more than 12,000 miles.
It was kept in the Worth family until 2019, with 87,000 miles on the clock, and has been looked after carefully since. The only alteration over and above regular maintenance has been the fitment of a stainless steel exhaust; otherwise, it’s original inside and out. There’s not even a radio – with drivers preferring to listen to the 2.7-litre boxer engine.
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