A CAR show set up to celebrate the history of car production in Oxford is preparing for its biggest ever display of vintage vehicles.

More than 150 vehicles from Rolls Royces to Morris Minors are set to descend on the city for the third annual Cowley Classic Show on Sunday, August 15. The event, organised by Oxford Isis Rotary Club, almost ended last year after the financial collapse of the Lord Nuffield Club In Cowley.

This year’s event will again go ahead at Court Place Farm in Marsh Lane, Marston, where proud car owners from across the county and beyond can again show off their finely polished fenders and gleaming grilles.

Organiser Malcolm Fearn said: “This will be the biggest show we have had yet.

“This is our third year and we’re pleased it’s growing every year.

“It’s called the Cowley Classic Car Show because we concentrate on cars with an Oxfordshire connection.

“We still want it to be a celebration of Oxfordshire vehicles because that’s the birthright of the show.

“We get a lot of people who come along who are very proud of the fact that they were involved in building them.

“They can bring their children and grandchildren along to show them the cars.”

So far 125 vehicles have registered to display at the event but Mr Fearn said 30 or 40 classic cars usually turned up on the day so he was confident of beating last year’s turnout of 150 vehicles.

This year’s event is set to feature classic Morris 8s and 10s built in the 1930s, about 30 MGs made in Abingdon, and Rolls Royces and Bentleys from the 1920s to the present day.

Among those exhibiting their cars will be motor enthusiast Charles Swain, who lives in North Oxfordshire. He will be showing four of his vehicles – including a Rolls Royce, a rare 1907 Baby Friswell and a 1939 Alvis 4.3 Van Den Plas Tourer, the first standard production car to have a top speed of more than 100 mph.

Other attractions include a bouncy castle, a brass band, bar and barbecue. Long Hanborough Bus Museum will be offering vintage bus rides.

Last year’s event raised £1,500 for the Maggie’s Cancer Centre at the Churchill Hospital and organisers hope to make £2,000 for the charity this year.

Tickets for the event cost £3 for adults, £2 for concessions and £10 for families.

To enter a car or run a stall, email fearn@fearnhq.

freeserve.co.uk