Isle of Wight
Classic Cars
2010

For all us petrol heads the Isle of Wight Classic Car Show at Newport and Ryde Isle of Wight is something we don't want to miss. Unfortunately for me, due to work commitments I am not always able to enjoy both venues.

This year I only managed to go to the venue at Newport. This is a shame because my favorite has always been the venue at Ryde.

As usual a great range of cars on show. Whether you like classic saloon cars, sports cars, muscle cars or high revving cars; there is always a great range to muse over!

Below are a few of my favorites

Jaguar XK120 & XK150

What can I say. The Jaguar XKs were such beautiful cars.
The XK range started with the XK120. This was a real purist car. A bit cramp and limited in creature comforts. It had the original 3.4 litre, twin overhead cam XK engine, which offered true 120mph performance.
The XK120 was replaced by the XK140 which had a more roomy cockpit and wind-up windows.
The XK 150 was the last of the XK range but offered a one piece windscreen. The XK 150S had an enlarged 3.8 litre engine and was offered with overdrive.

Jaguar XK

Jaguar XK 120 Jaguar XK 150

Jaguar E Type

The Jaguar E Type, a real icon of the motoring world!!! This one is a Mk 2, 4.2 litre. For the purist it has to be a Mk 1 3.8, which did have a 150 mph top speed. Unfortunately as with many manufacturers, updated models mean heaver and slower. The Mk 2 could only reach 140 mph without some engine tweaking! The purists will go for the Mk1, but my personal favourite is the Mk3 5.3 litre V12.

Jaguar E Type Mk 2

MGC

The MGC is one of my favorite cars, derived from the MGB. British Leyland needed a muscle car to replace the now ageing Austin-Healey 3000. They took the ever popular MGB and fitted the 3 litre C class engine, which was also fitted to the Austin 3 litre.
The 3 litre C engine differed from the engine fitted to the Austin-Healey 3000 by having a five bearing crankshaft, as apposed to a 3 bearing crankshaft in the Healey.

MG C Type

Studebaker Hawk

The Studebaker Hawk range were built in the 1950's and 60's.They had large V8 engines with a good power to weight ratio, which made them very fast.

Studebaker

......... Studebaker .... ........

Berkeley Three Wheel Sports

I remember in the 1960's seeing this sleek sports car approaching me. It had flared headlights and looked like a miniature E Type Jaguar. As it passed me it had a definite 2 stroke growl from the exhaust, and I was amazed to see it only had one rear wheel. That was my first view of the Berkeley Sports.
The engine was a 250cc, 2 stroke, twin cylinder air cooled engine from the Excelsior 250cc, motor bike. Note the Amal Monoblock carburetor feeding the two cylinders.

Berkeley Sports