Petrol head Marc West goes all classic on us on the RAC gentlemen's Drive It Day as a warm up to Bicester's upcoming Flywheel Festival

On April 23 1900, 64 cars left London to take part in a very gentlemanly endeavour. The Royal Automobile Club’s Thousand Mile Trial travelled to Scotland and back via Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Oxford.

Not all the vehicles made the finishing line, but still many hundreds of people turned out to watch this fantastic display of automotive prowess. And, to commemorate the occasion, car lovers across the country continue to ride out in style - on what’s become known as Drive It Day.

My wheels for just 24 hours were a friend's beautifully restored 1967 VW Beetle. With a striking green paint job, highly polished chrome and tweed-upholstered bucket seats it’s a real head turner. Plus, with a supercharged engine mounted at the rear it also goes like something off a shovel along Oxfordshire’s A-roads. Thus, I’m already smiling from ear to ear when we arrive at our destination, Bicester Heritage.

The former WWII Bomber Command airbase on the outskirts of the town has been well preserved and sensitively restored for it’s new role as the UK’s leading technical centre for classic car and motorsport specialists. As such, it’s the perfect backdrop - an endlessly fascinating set that instantly transports you to a bygone era full of evocative sights, sounds and smells.

With a sea of shining bodywork as far as the eye can see, this eighth Sunday Brunch Scramble really is a petrolhead’s Paradise - with marques such as Bentley, Bugatti and Porsche all well represented. It’s a unique event in many ways - especially in it’s ability to make grown men groan. I, for one, stand mesmerised in front of a gleaming Jaguar E-Type trying to contain my excitement for the joyful creation before my eyes.

There’s a dream boys toy for everyone in this four-wheeled Wonderland, but it's not really about just possessing these mobile works of art - moreover appreciating their design, workmanship and (let’s be honest) drop-dead gorgeous beauty. Not just your usual Sunday drivers, this may be an exclusive owners club, but one in which the members are quite willing to let you share in their experience.

Joining established players such as Silverstone Classic and Goodwood’s Revival, the forthcoming Flywheel Festival in Bicester aims to combine not just motoring, but aviation and military endeavour too. From the tyre-squealing action as veteran competition cars do their thing on the track to recreation dogfights in the skies above and your chance to put an historic armoured vehicle through its paces.

Taking place over the weekend of July 2-3 it’s set to be one of this summer’s unmissable events. To book your tickets and for all details visit flywheelfestival.com.