Phoenix Classics Meet Up: The UK Classic Car Scene
Well, I hadn't actually planned on doing any car photography or videography whilst back in the UK for the summer. I was quite happy taking a bit of a break, but if I'm honest, I was starting to miss the car scene far too much.
A quick browse through Facebook soon changed that. I stumbled across the Phoenix Classic Vehicle Association and spotted that they had a meet planned at a lovely English pub just outside St Helens in the North West. Being only around a 20-minute drive from Liverpool, where I'm currently based, it felt like the perfect excuse to grab the camera, enjoy a morning out and see what turned up.
As always... let's have a look at what showed up.
Classic Ford Brigade
On the drive over we joked that there would almost certainly be a handful of classic Fords on display, and unsurprisingly, we weren't disappointed.
A selection of Capris and a beautifully presented Cortina were already sat proudly waiting to be admired. There's just something special about seeing these cars out being driven rather than hidden away under covers in garages. Every single one looked incredibly well cared for, with paintwork that gleamed in the morning sun and interiors that looked almost untouched by time.
The examples on display today were exceptional. Each one looked as though it had just rolled straight out of the showroom decades ago, which is a real testament to the owners who clearly put an incredible amount of time, effort, and love into preserving them.
They were an absolute pleasure to photograph.
Vauxhall/Opel Contingent
Almost as predictable as the Fords, the Vauxhall and Opel crowd turned up in force too.
The standout for me had to be the beautiful Manta i200 finished in the iconic Rothmans livery. It's one of those cars you rarely get to see in person, and it looked every bit as good as I'd imagined. Sitting alongside it was an equally stunning Manta Berlinetta, another immaculate example that deserved every bit of attention it received.
There was another lovely classic that arrived early on which I was desperate to photograph, but before I managed to get my camera out, the owner jumped back in and headed off. Sorry mate, you escaped before I got the chance!
Porsche Offerings
One car I kept finding myself wandering back to was a stunning white Porsche 911 Turbo sitting perfectly on a set of BBS wheels.
I absolutely fell in love with it.
The 911 has always been a car that's close to my heart. I still remember being 17 years old, driving around in my little VW Polo, when I first saw a 911 Turbo out on the road. The shape, the stance, and that unmistakable turbo soundtrack left a lasting impression on me, and ever since then I've had a soft spot for them.
Seeing this one in person brought all those memories straight back. One day, hopefully, I'll have one of my own.
Not to be overlooked was a gorgeous Porsche 944. Often overshadowed by its rear-engined siblings, I genuinely think the 944 is one of Porsche's unsung heroes. This particular example was absolutely immaculate and, once again, looked like it had just rolled off the showroom floor.
The Timeless Fiat
One of the biggest surprises of the morning came in the form of a 1953 Fiat Topolino. I'd never actually seen one in person before, and what a charming little car it is.
Tiny in every sense of the word, yet it somehow manages to have so much character. The immaculate interior, the beautifully restored exterior, and the tiny four cylinder engine tucked neatly beneath the bonnet all made it one of the most interesting cars at the meet.
From what I understand, the car originally came from Italy before eventually finding its way over to the UK a few years ago.
It's brilliant to see unique little classics like this still being cherished and enjoyed rather than forgotten.
Honorable Mentions
There were plenty of other interesting cars dotted around the meet too.
A very loud and very JDM, Honda Civic Type R certainly made sure everyone knew it had arrived. I also came across a Hillman Hunter, a car I honestly knew very little about before today, which made it all the more enjoyable to spend some time looking around it.
One car that definitely deserved a mention was a lovely VW Golf Cabriolet. Sitting there with that classic open-top charm, it was impossible not to appreciate just how timeless these little Golfs have become. They have a real summer evening vibe about them and always seem to put a smile on people's faces. This example was beautifully aged with all the patina you could wish for. I loved it.
Just as we were getting ready to head home, a lovely Triumph rolled into the car park. Thankfully I wasn't packed away just yet, so I managed to grab a few photos before calling it a day.
Sometimes those last-minute arrivals end up being some of the best.
To Conclude
I genuinely loved every second of the couple of hours I spent wandering around this meet. The atmosphere was exactly what a classic car gathering should be. Relaxed, welcoming and full of passionate owners who were more than happy to chat about their pride and joy while I wandered around taking photographs.
It was also my first UK car event since around 2014 or 2015, so it felt quite nostalgic to be back amongst the British car scene again.
The venue itself, The Moss Bank Pub, was fantastic too. Not only was it a great setting for the cars, but they also very kindly offered complimentary tea and coffee, which certainly wasn't going to be turned down on an English morning.
All in all, it was a morning incredibly well spent, and I'm really glad I decided to dust the camera off.
If you attended the meet and would like to download photos of your car in the highest quality, you'll find the gallery using the link below.
Thanks again for reading, and I'll see you in the next blog!
