Rachel and I set off in our  1937 Flying 12 from our home in Towcester to meet up in the New Forest with Steve Smeltzer accompanied by Mike in his lovely V4, Dennis and Sheila Brown in their 1938 Flying 12, and Peter and Graham Lockley in the Vanguard Estate. Our route was the A43, M40, A34,M3,M27 and then towards Beaulieu. It was a lovely day and our car was going really well; I was pushing it hard as I did not know how long it might take, but in the end we were the first to arrive at the pub “The Royal Oak” on the edge of the New Forest. It wasn’t long before the others arrived and after greetings we ate a hearty lunch and set off for Lymington to catch the ferry to Yarmouth Isle Of Wight courtesy of “Wight Link”.

B the time we were queuing for the ferry, the sun was out and looked like it would be for the rest of the day – blue sky over the Wight Sky (name of the ferry). An extremely smooth crossing brought us out of the narrow channel at Lymington across to Yarmouth in less than an hour.

On arrival after a pleasant crossing we all followed Steve on a quick tour of the south side of the island pausing at the Needles to admire the view and Freshwater for a cream tea in the sunshine. So far,so good, the next stop was our hotel at Ryde ,“The Appley Manor”, where we were greeted by the friendly staff.;

We were expecting Len Barr in his 1913 Rhyl accompanied by Bob to arrive on a later ferry that evening. We all met for dinner and during the meal Steve received a phone call to say Len and Bob were broken down at the roadside in the dark at Ryde with no lights and the Police were insisting they got Recovery to the hotel. They duly appeared at Appley at about 10.30 with the Rhyl on the back of a truck.

It was serious, a broken rear spring caused the axle to twist and applied the rear brakes. This was not good news. Was this a one off drama or an omen?  In the morning it was assessed as being repairable using “U” shaped exhaust clamps placed in strategic positions over the spring and clamping it all in place. This worked so all the cars did manage to join the display on Newport quay.

Some of the Standards at Newport Quay on Saturday, with John and Rachael Maxwell's Flying 12 Saloon in the foreground.

It was another pleasant day with visits to a bus museum and a boat museum and meeting up with S.M.C. members Peter and Janet Darby in their post war 14 H.P. who were holidaying on the island. When we left the quay in the evening Steve was first to go followed by Dennis Brown, but Rachel and I and the others could not follow because of traffic leaving the site, so that we were separated. We were first to arrive back at the hotel not having caught or passed any other Standards, but thought that the others had maybe stopped for refreshments. We went for a walk and on our return Peter Lockley broke the news that shortly after leaving the quay Steve Smeltzer broke down and would be arriving soon on a recovery truck. Yes it was happening all over again; the V4 was in trouble this time and several repairs were needed.

Luckily Bob ( a wizard with vintage engines ) was at hand, and overhauled the magneto in his bedroom that night. On Sunday morning it was cloudy and uncertain what the weather was going to do and the car needed more work. The starter motor was jammed in the flywheel and a valve was sticking. Eventually these were all fixed with the help of the hotel management and staff coming to the rescue as well. They provided jump leads and a diesel truck as a jump starter and a dining room table as work bench. They could do no more. 

Len Barr's 1913 Model S Rhyl, left is one of the oldest regularly active Standards in the Club, whilst the 1927 Model V4 Tourer has probably covered more mileage this year than any other Standard of any age. Well done Steve Smeltzer!

It was now running on 3 ½ cylinders and was able to join the rest of us a little later along Ryde sea front although separated from us. It never ceases to amaze me how many people at shows wherever we go to come and tell us their stories about Flying Standards in their childhood or learning to drive or just a relative who owned one. It is good  to reminisce with complete strangers who have the same memories. There were crowds of people showing enormous interest in all the cars parked along the sea front and the weather, although dark clouds kept rolling past us for most of the day; there eventually was a massive cloudburst  at about 3.45. with the rain was bouncing off the car bodywork and the sun roof drain channels could not cope. People were scattering for what little shelter there was to find. The rain soon abated and the people although drenched carried on admiring the cars as if nothing had happened.

Peter Lockley's Vanguard Estate with Dennis Brown's Flying 12 overlooking the sea. The Club also seems to have recruited a Fiat 127 unless my eyes deceive me!

At 4.30 Peter and Graham Lockley decided it was time to catch the ferry back to mainland as they had work on Monday. We said our farewells and by this time others were drifting away, and we left for our hotel. The rest of us were all staying until Tuesday. We thank Steve Smeltzer for organising this fantastic event on behalf of all of us that attended; it was great.