Big Lorries Little Lorries!

Around 400 classic and vintage commercial vehicles exhibited at the BMM. Photo © Rob Tysall Pro Photography.

Whether you are into full sized vintage commercial vehicles, or the scaled down, hand-made models, it was all there at the Classic and Vintage Commercial Show held at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon on the 8-9 June.

Around 400 pre-2000 trucks, vans and lorries made their way to Gaydon providing a hugely impressive parade of iconic historic commercial vehicles; beautifully preserved with pristine paintwork and in full working order. From vans such as Ford Transits, Morris Minors and J Types to lighter lorries produced by Austin, Bedford, Dodge and Ford Thames, to the heavy metal vehicles such as AECs, Atkinsons, ERFs, Fodens and Leylands.

E.M.Rogers of Northampton celebrating 75 years in business. Photo © Rob Tysall Pro Photography.

Settled in their rows all across Gaydon’s car parking area there were also club stands such as the Morris Commercial Club stand who were celebrating 100 years of the Morris Commercial Lorry; and a large vehicle-related autojumble selling spares, photographs, brochures and more - perfect for those restoring classic vehicles.

Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum said earlier: “Whether you’re a fan of commercial vehicles, interested in vintage history or want to see the commercial vehicles that were on the roads in your youth, then this show is for you.”

From humble beginnings in the 1920s P.C.Howard has developed into a modern thriving business. Photo © Rob Tysall Pro Photography.

From the big to the small, as inside the museum were two model shows plus a large display of trade stands offering everything for the modeller, from top brand named kits in different scales, to stands selling tools, materials and accessories for kit and scratch builders, and those creating dioramas and landscapes to show off their models. Enthusiasts could find photographs, books, magazines - in fact everything needed for the commercial vehicle modeller.

Ashley Coghill with his prize winning model. Photo © Rob Tysall Pro Photography.

The main event indoors was the annual Gaydon Model Truck Festival 2024, organised by Ashley Coghill. Model makers, displayed their hand-made vehicles over the two days, which were viewed by the public and judged on the Sunday, prior to the highlight of the awards being presented.

Ashley said, “We have 150 to 160 modellers from all over the UK, Europe and further afield. It’s an annual event which I’ve been organising for 35 years. We are all about making models – and we have 200 trophies to give out. There’s 26 categories which cover things like Best Scania, Best Weathered, Best Newcomer right up to Best in Show. It’s basically to thank people for all their hard work.”

Carl Eggerton of Sheffield took Best In Show. Photo © Rob Tysall Pro Photography.

The standard of model making was exceptional, and fascinating to learn how some modellers use scrap and recycled materials to make their vehicles. The overall Best in Show went to Carl Eggerton of Sheffield who had never shown his work off before and never entered a competition before! Even more amazing was the fact that his prize winning model was made from scrap paper and cereal boxes!

NARTM member George Douglas with some of the models he's built over the years.

Another group of model makers were displaying their scratch built and kit modelling skills in an adjacent hall. This was the National Association of Road Transport Modellers (N.A.R.T.M.) The founder of the association and President, Roger Biggs explained how the club all began and how they welcome all model makers who are into commercial vehicles of any size and scale.

Amongst their 250 membership is George Douglas of the Lothian area of Scotland, who sadly lost the use of one arm due to polio as a child. That however has not stopped him building the most amazing range of commercial vehicles - as seen in his display above.

Roger Biggs said, “The club is for people into commercial vehicles who build from scratch, those who build from kits and re-model the kits to their own specifications. We cover all scales and welcome all types of modeller so long as they are into commercial vehicles. We don’t compete however we model purely for fun.”

And definitely a fun day out if your passion is for the giants of the road or the smaller scaled down versions of them.

See what else is happening at the British Motor Museum. https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/