Marc West finds himself revved up by some gleaming giants of motoring

Set in over 2,000 acres of Capability Brown-designed parkland, Blenheim Palace is the ideal spot for a sunny Sunday afternoon. Add to that a mix of gleaming chrome, polished paintwork and the smell of burning rubber and you have a petrolhead’s dream day out.

Hosted by the Pre50 American Auto Club, the event sees hundreds of classic American vehicles in attendance — including some of the finest and most valuable examples to be found on this side of the pond – and they literally had my friends and I drooling!

Collectors, restorers, owners and enthusiasts alike gather to admire, to share stories, to buy, to sell, or just to dream the American Dream. I was transported back to that golden age when the promise was of bigger and better – especially the cars.

From the elegant thirties, stately forties, fabulous fifties, slick sixties and oh-so-cool seventies, there were dream wheels for everyone. I really wanted to take the go-faster-striped Ford Mustang home with me…or was it the burnt orange Dodge Charger in General Lee livery? To be honest, I wanted them all!

  • The ancestral home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough is situated just eight miles from Oxford and is open daily from 9am to 6pm. Special events take place throughout the year with The Knights of Royal England jousting tournament, Woodstock Literary Festival and International Horse Trials still to look forward to.
  • I’ve already got August Bank Holiday weekend penciled into my diary and I suggest you do the same. With a spectacular gathering of classic cars from vintage through to kit and custom, the Eighth Festival of Transport is a fun-fuelled two-day fix for all the family.
  • All details can be found at blenheimpalace.com

NEXT WEEK

As if one were ever needed, I now have an extra reason for a stroll across Port Meadow to one of my favourite pubs.
Wrapping-up their season of Summer Sessions, quirky promoters Irregular Folk are hosting an all-day musical extravaganza this Saturday at The Perch.
From Midday to Midnight, a hand picked bill of the best local artists – such as Duchess, Jordan O’Shea and Salvation Bill – will be performing in a beautiful Bedouin tent. Tickets priced £10 are still available from wegottickets.com