Coffee & Chrome at Chateau Impney: August 2024 Show Report
Chateau Impney once again was the site of Footman James’ Coffee & Chrome Collective meeting, with more than 500 vehicles parked and more than twice that number of guests wandering the grounds on Sunday 4th August.
As we have come to expect, a brilliant collection of cars, bikes, vans, and even trucks were on show, from ancient Fords to modern Aston Martins. The lack of badge-snobbery was clearly on display, and helps make the C&CC meets what they are.
We spoke to five of the visitors, to find out more about what they brought along.
Geraint - 1974 Jaguar XJ6
Kicking off with our pick of the Classic of the Meet, this Jaguar XJ6 is immaculate in period-correct sable, with a cinnamon interior. It’s just the specification Sir William Lyons had on his XJ at the time; if it’s good enough for the main man…
With almost suspiciously good bodywork for a Jaguar of this era, it was clear that something had been done about the XJ6’s greatest nemesis – rust. And it proved so, when Geraint said that it was given an anti-rust treatment throughout the chassis at an early stage, so helping reserve the XJ6 through to today.
The less common short-wheelbase example was parked up in a largely original condition, with few miles on the clock – it’s only around the 30,000 mark – and has been used sparingly, but enthusiastically, since Geraint bought it a few years ago.
Like many XJ owners, there had been one in his younger past, and the attraction stuck, causing him to look for one, before deciding on this 1974 SWB model. Described as offering that classic refined Jaguar driving experience, we hope to spot the Jaguar XJ6 again at future C&CC events – certainly a worthy car to be awarded Classic of the Meet.
Frank – 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible
Subtle it ain’t, but it’s frankly magnificent isn’t it? This baby pink Cadillac could be spotted from quite some distance when queuing to get in, and the behemoth is a superb example of automotive Americana from the period.
Measuring in at 18.5 feet long, and complete with bold tail-fins, and acres of bonnet and boot (should that be ‘trunk’ in this instance), the Series 62 Caddy was imported 35 years ago by Frank from Hawaii, making a trip from the islands to the West Coast of the US, trailered across to the East Coast, and another boat ride across a second ocean to the UK; its trip here mirrors its proportions.
Having undergone a huge restoration around ten years ago, the Sixty-Two also gained its new pink colour scheme – with matching interior naturally. Everything is powered by electric motors, including the roof, except that is, for the wheels, which are driven by a 6.2-litre Cadillac V8.
Karen & Glenn – 1978 Alfa Romeo Alfasud
This characterful and beautifully kept Alfasud has been at C&CC events before, but this time we finally managed to catch Karen and Glenn to talk about their compact Italian family car. This model is the 1.3-litre version, and is presented in a gorgeous deep green that may be from the time period, but looks great even today.
It has had very few owners throughout its life, and like many Alfasuds, it has had to have extensive work carried out to sort out the bodywork. Famously, when built, the chassis was prone to rust, and even the solution Alfa Romeo tried to put in place simply made things worse. So a rotten core was not the greatest of surprises for the pair when the bodywork came off.
However, now it is in fine fettle, and used properly too, with a recent trip to Lands End proving that the Alfasud is capable of being driven long distances, despite its classic status. It’s apparently good fun to drive too.
Carl & Sally – 1982 VW Golf GTi
Often a favourite amongst the classic car community, the Volkswagen Golf GTi is one of the original hot hatches – we’re not going to get embroiled in which was actually the first here – assuring its place in history.
And Carl & Sally’s example is a beauty. A good example of a ground-up restoration, this was a necessity rather than a labour of love, considering the state it was in when they got it eleven years ago. Apparently it had been left in a farm, with a number of other cars, owned by someone who was selling a small petrol station in the middle of the countryside.
The two seized the chance to obtain one of their long-loved cars, despite the fact that half the sunroof was rotten away and it came with a few non-factory extras, in the shape of mouse nests. After 18 months of work though, it looks like this; effectively as good as when it would have left the factory more than 40 years ago. In fact, it’s as original as possible, with the radio aerial moved to the roof about as far as alterations have gone. And the photos show that it was clearly a job well done
Barry – Aston Martin Vantage
An example of a car that just gets better over time, the Vantage was Aston Martin’s flagship model in the late Seventies and much of the Eighties. That classic Aston combination of style and power, the Vantage looks brilliant today, and Barry’s example lives up to those high standards.
Owned for around 35 years now, it has not always been in such clean condition. Around 15 years ago, the small matter of a blown engine put a dampener on taking the Vantage for a drive, and without funds to get it fixe properly, the Aston Martin sat in a barn for a number of years.
It was not forgotten about however and, after Barry’s wife sadly passed away, it became clear that she had squirrelled away a significant pot of savings; enough to get the Vantage not just back out on the road, but into tip-top condition too. Now, having had work carried out from the ground up by Aston Martin heritage specialist RS Williams, the Vantage is in immaculate condition, and a pleasure to see parked up in the Chateau Impney grounds.
Would you like to be with us at our next meet? You can find out more by visiting our Coffee & Chrome page here.
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