Coffee & Chrome at Chateau Impney: October 2024 report

A crisp autumn morning saw more than 400 vehicles descend on Chateau Impney’s extensive grounds on Sunday 13^th October.

The plethora of makes and models on display was, as usual, brilliant. All sorts of machines were parked up, from veteran Fords to huge American trucks, with a number of new visitors mingling with familiar sights. We highlight a handful of the highlights from the meet.

Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 1975 – Peter

Peter’s Rolls-Royce is one of those cars that grabs the eye immediately, and then gets better the more you take it in. In immaculate condition inside and out, it has been in Peter’s care for the past 15 years or so – purchased because his father had one just like it – and is often brought out of the garage for weddings and other special events… so of course we found it at C&CC at Chateau Impney, and it looked perfectly suited to the grand surroundings.

Volvo Duett 1965 – Andy

A real passion project for Andy, this Volvo Duett has been his – and in the country – for around five years. Imported ‘loosely assembled’, with a number of parts in the capacious rear, the Duett had been off the road since 1988, and patched periodically in the interim. Once in the UK, Andy has tidied up the bodywork, replaced the brake hydraulics, the front suspension, fuel lines, and a few other odds and ends, before putting everything back together again. Having only covered around 70,000 miles since new – even if the odometer is in kilometers – it’s lived a working life collecting pig feed for the previous owner, before having a more leisurely life in Andy’s care since its return to the road in 2020.

Lotus Esprit 2.2 1982 – Colin

This example of Lotus’ Esprit 2.2 is so nice, it was literally too good to drive. At least, that’s the view of the previous owner, who completed a nut and bolt restoration, and then couldn’t bear to take it out on the road. Craig saw this Esprit in 2016 at the Classic Car Show, and then managed to persuade the owner (over the course of a few years) to sell it to him. Now in his ownership for the past four and a half years, the Esprit continues Craig’s 20+ year love affair with Norfolk’s finest. One of only 80 built with the 2.2-litre four-cylinder Lotus engine. Described as a ‘keeper’ by Craig, it’s as good to drive as legend describes.

Ford Capri Mk I 1971 – Craig

Rebuilt in 2012, Craig’s 1971 Ford Capri Mk I has been in his ownership since 2018, but has been in storage for the last four years. A Capri V6 with Cologne wide-arch bodykit, beautifully presented in Ford Olympic Blue, with satin black bonnet, and livery reminiscent of Jackie Stewart’s racing Capri from the period, it looks the business. And with a bored-out 3.1-litre Ford Essex V6, adjustable coil-over springs at the front with gas adjustable suspension at the rear, as well as large disc brakes, 15-inch BBS alloys, interior roll cage, bucket seats, and racing harnesses fitted, it goes as well as it looks.

Datsun 280Z 1978 – Jason

Originally shipped to California, this Datsun 280Z was imported to the UK eight years ago, before Jason bought it in May 2021. Having been a long-term Datsun fan – he suspects there must be a Matchbox model in his past that wheedled its way into his sub-consciousness to blame for his fascination. He previous owner had carried out a lot of work to the bodywork and paint, as well as adding coil-overs and working on the upholstery. Its time in Jason’s care has seen a lot of time spent repairing it, refitting the original interior, and sorting a list of features, including a new AC conditioner, a Z-Story performance exhaust, and new radiator. It now runs very well, and looks superb, with a Jason wanting it to become a reliable daily driver.