This year is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in Retropower’s history, certainly in terms of shows, events and club gatherings. Case in point: Hard Copy, our semi-official summer bash, held in partnership with our friends at Copacetic Magazine and the Independent Driving Entertainment Alliance (IDEA) and hosted by local legends and British biking royalty, Triumph UK.
Far more than just another car show, Hard Copy (Saturday 20 June 2026) was our attempt to celebrate and strengthen the relationship between classic and retro cars and printed media — a connection that, in an increasingly digitised world of clicks, links and videos, can sometimes feel more fragile than ever.
We think that’s a real shame because (and we hope we’re not alone in this) few things compare to the tangible pleasure of reading about cars in a beautifully produced, thoughtfully written print magazine. There’s something timeless about thick-stock paper, carefully chosen words and imagery that rewards a slower, more deliberate kind of appreciation. In many ways, that’s exactly what Hard Copy set out to celebrate: the joy inherent in old cars and great car magazines.
Our aim was simple: to reaffirm the connection between the cars we build and the way enthusiasts discover, enjoy and engage with them. In that, we were immeasurably helped by the presence of our favourite magazine, Copacetic.
The brainchild of one deeply committed old-car enthusiast (and brought to life through equal parts determination, craftsmanship and a willingness to put money where mouth is) Copacetic feels like a return to the very best traditions of print media. Thick paper stock, elegant prose, expert insight, understated design and beautifully judged visuals combine to create something increasingly rare.
It’s no coincidence that Copacetic has featured a number of Retropower builds over the years, so we were delighted to bring Hard Copy to life alongside them.
Come the morning of Saturday 20 June, the expansive car park of the Triumph UK visitor centre echoed to the sound of old-school engines: the high-carb’d ‘thrum’ of a Ford ‘four pot’, the off-kilter ‘burble’ of an American small-block V8…it all made for a compelling mix, and make no mistake. Variety was very much the order of the day, with cars representing almost every facet and era of automotive culture.
The result? Visitors had the chance to amble past (among many others) a disconcertingly clean Saab 900 Turbo, a plethora of Porsche 911s in both air- and water-cooled forms, a Chevy pickup, countless Ford Escorts and even a De Tomaso Pantera.
Awards were up for grabs too. The ‘Keys, Please’ gong went to the car we most wanted to take for a spin; ‘Bugsplatter’ recognised the machine that looked most used and enjoyed in the spirit its maker intended, while ‘Factory Fresh’ celebrated the best standard-spec car on display. Naturally, competition for all three was fierce, and it’s fair to say our judging panel — Callum — faced a stern test. The winners were only announced after extensive deliberation.
We’re delighted to confirm that the ‘Factory Fresh’ award went to the owner of a stunning, time-warp-condition Lotus Esprit JPS (John Player Special), while the ‘Bugsplatter’ gong was claimed by a particularly hard-driven-looking Mazda MX-5.
The ‘Keys, Please’ award? That went to a Saab 900 Turbo S, a car we all felt represented peak 900. Complete with ‘Turbo’ badging, rubber spoilers and, of course, three-spoke alloys, it came about as close to Trollhättan perfection as we’ve seen in a long while.
This being a Retropower occasion, some of our own cars were always going to make an appearance. We were delighted to bring along a selection that neatly encapsulated the breadth and scope of the work we undertake here at the UK’s foremost restomod factory.
Projects Lucky Strike (the Allegro–Integra Type R mash-up) and Stravaig (Chevy Camaro) represented the current Retropower ethos, while Project Sant Joan and Project Utah (the Land Cruiser V8 and Mk2 Jaguar, respectively) showcased some of our earlier work. All four spent the day surrounded by throngs of deeply invested punters.
Adding the icing to an already fabulous occasion, £2.50 from every £10 entry ticket went directly to the National Association of Blood Bikes, a charity we all hold dear and respect immensely.
Happily, by the end of the day we had raised £585.42 for this hugely important cause.
So thank you to everyone who joined us; you helped us help them, and we’re extremely grateful, both for your support with this and for making Hard Copy such a roaring success.
