A POPULAR festival of transport has announced that it will be returning this summer with a bumper schedule. 

The 2023 Basingstoke Festival of Transport will be held at Basingstoke War Memorial Park on Sunday, May 14.

Rod Clarke, from Basingstoke Dean Rotary, said: "It promises once again to be a bumper show with 860 vehicles, 70 stalls and refreshments available all day.

"A whole range of vehicles will be on display including both large and small commercial, pre-war and post-war classic cars, motorcycles and scooters and prestige cars.

"It was a prestige car that won Best in Show last year - the 1962 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II Drophead Coupe owned by Paul and Paula Brazier.

"The vast majority of Series II Silver Clouds, manufactured between late 1959 to early 1962, were of the standard factory design, commonly referred to as “Standard Steel Saloons”.

"However, a very limited number of cars were adapted at the H.J Mulliner works in Chiswick to form the elegant Drophead Coupe.

"Just 33 cars were originally built in right-hand drive and this is one of those vehicles.

"The delivered price was £8,400 compared to £6,093 for the standard car.

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"In comparison, the average UK house price at that time was only £2,500.

"The engine is Rolls Royce’s 6230cc V8, producing 200 HP, which replaced the previous model Silver Cloud’s six-cylinder motor.

"The new engine was almost entirely aluminium and featured many improvements in engineering such as hydraulic tappets for quiet running.

"Having only travelled a total of 41,000 miles in 60 years, the car has had only four owners in its life; the previous owner having had the car for almost 40 years.

"Being based in the USA and only using the car when visiting London meant that the car was used sparingly and only put on 15,000 miles in that 40-year period.

"I am told he lent the car to the Queen Mother for use on special occasions from his collection since his chauffeur was very friendly with hers! Ten miles to the gallon is the answer to the most asked question."

This year's show opens to the public at 11am and entry is free.

The car park, accessed from London Road opens at 9am with a charge of £5 per car and card payment available.