While it would be incorrect to say that a poor venue can outright “break” a car show, the choice of location – its size, surroundings and, as the kids say, “vibe” – can most definitely help either elevate it to new heights or, in the case of a lesser setting, prevent it from reaching its full potential. As anyone who has spent a wet weekend morning dutifully traipsing around a waterlogged, poorly signposted car show on their local village green will doubtless attest.
Thankfully, such concerns were nowhere to be found at our first Retropower-attended event of the year: the Drivers Collection meeting at Cromford Mills, Matlock, Derbyshire. Without doubt one of the coolest and most striking venues for any automotive gathering in the country, Cromford Mills – the world’s first water-powered spinning mill, established in 1771 – is a dramatic reminder of Britain’s industrial heyday. Its imposing stone buildings, intersected by canals and waterways, create a setting unlike any other. A fitting location, in other words.
Our invitation came courtesy of our friends at The Drivers Club, and we certainly didn’t need asking twice. Before long, we had assembled a selection of our own cars for the occasion. In the end, we chose a trio that represent opposite ends of the Retropower build process: Project Brenner, the Aston Martin DBS restomod currently taking shape in metalwork and awaiting its bodywork phase; Project Kaiser II, our Mercedes W111 Coupé, completed several years ago; and, the odd one out in this company, Project Lucky Strike, one of a pair of Austin Allegro restomods nearing completion.
The first two could scarcely be more different. One stands resplendent in gleaming paintwork; the other wears its bare-metal body with unapologetic intent. Yet despite their contrasting engineering approaches, both share the same grand-touring ethos. The Aston is every inch the British muscle car and will ultimately be powered by a Chevrolet LT1 V8 paired with a Tremec six-speed gearbox. The Mercedes, meanwhile, is all about visual impact. While its LS crate-engine running gear provides the soundtrack, it is impossible to overlook the aesthetics: flawless paintwork, custom “Mexican Hat” alloys and a ground-hugging stance courtesy of its Air Lift suspension combine to create a truly memorable presence.
As for Lucky Strike, it’s something of a legend in its own lifetime, a crowd favourite and a car that is always immensely entertaining to watch people interact with – especially if you play the “have they actually fitted a Quartic steering wheel?” drinking game. A potentially ruinous pastime, at least if this show was anything to go by!
By the time the show was in full swing, our cars – along with the stunning Ferrari 328, Saab 99 Turbo, Nissan Skyline, Lotus Emira and Alfa Romeo Sprint owned by Retropower Club members and or Den customers – were rarely without an appreciative audience. Enthusiasts gathered around them throughout the day, respectfully studying their details and engineering solutions. We were both thrilled and humbled by the response.
Of course, our cars were far from the only attraction. Cromford Mills was packed with an eclectic mix of fascinating machinery spanning countless eras, marques and styles. The venue lends itself perfectly to this sort of event, and there was immense enjoyment to be found wandering through the mill’s courtyards and passageways, never quite knowing what automotive treasure might appear around the next corner.
Everyone at Retropower would like to extend our warmest thanks to the team behind The Drivers Collection for their invitation and hospitality. We can’t wait to work together again soon. Keep an eye out for the Reyt Posh Doo on Saturday 19 July at Hodsock Priory, Worksop.
