sunbeamtiger.co.uk

Eagle-eyed readers of Classic and Sports Car may have spotted a mention of a free-entry classic car meet organised by the Post-Vintage Humber Car Club at Kempton Steam Museum this Sunday, 20th November, just by the elevated section of the A316 in SW London:
http://www.kemptonsteam.org/

All very informal; starts 10ish, goes on until 4ish.
Free to driver and one passenger of any classic car.
The museum is operating the world's largest working Triple Expansion Steam Engine, which is even more impressive than an overheating Tiger.

Weather forecast is dry, even sunny.
Oh, and it's only a mile to those splendid riverside pubs, the Magpie and the Phoenix...

The meeting point is at the front of Hampton Court railway station (south side of the bridge) between 9.30 - 9.45. Leaving soon after in small convoy to the Kempton Steam Museum.

Despite the fog, we mustered 4 Tigers to join a wide mix of classic cars and bikes at the meet. The day wouldn't be complete without some drama, with Ben May's 289 HiPo failing to start outside Hampton Court station, even though it had made it there from Surbiton quite happily. WD40 did the trick. Thereafter a slow convoy went through Bushy Park, Teddington and Twickenham along to the steam museum.

With several Alpines present, Sunbeam was the dominant marque although Rileys also appeared to outdo the Humber organisers in the morning session, with 3 RMs, a Pathfinder and a gorgeous Airline.

A nice set of Rover P5s plus a P6, sundry Vauxhalls, Hillmans, MGs and others added to the parking mayhem - the museum was somewhat overwhelmed by the turnout.

The steam engine fired up at 11.30, building up gradually to its 18rpm max. Note the big end (not the one in the blue fleece).

Hopefully the museum have recognised the additional coffees and cakes sold on the day and can be persuaded to make this a regular feature, preferably in a spot with more parking!

We never made it to the pubs though...Next time...

Pics from today's meet;