THE sight of hundreds of petrolheads reflected in gleaming chrome as the Cowley Classic Car Show staged its biggest event yet.

Now in its fourth year, the event celebrates vehicles with a connection to Cowley’s motor heritage, as well as a wide range of other classics.

Yesterday’s show, organised by the Oxford Isis Rotary Club in aid of the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre at the Churchill Hospital, was hailed as the biggest yet with more than 170 cars on display.

Organiser Malcolm Fearn said: “This is our fourth year and I think we’ve got even more cars than ever before.

“The oldest is a 1913 Model T Ford, which is one of several Fords from over the years. Although most of the cars are Morrises we’ve also got a Sinclair C5 and a few bikes for the first time.

“We are aiming to top the £2,000 we raised last year.”

John Walker, from Botley, was at the show with his wife’s MG Midget.

The 71-year-old said: “I had an MGB when I first got married. We drove that car from Botley to Malaga where we had our honeymoon and we sold it once we got there.

“This MG is a 1976 car and it’s beautiful to drive. It’s a 1500 engine with twin carbs and it goes like a little rocket.

“It spends its life on our drive and we use it on a regular basis.”

He added: “This is our third year at the show and it’s a wonderful atmosphere.”

Alf Kenchington, from near Brize Norton, brought along his 1995 Morgan 4/4 which has covered fewer than 9,000 miles.

He said: “I’ve been a Morgan fan for a long time. I was a Bentley fan but I decided I wanted a Morgan, and they’re going up in value all the time.

“It’s a really fun car and very economical – this does 40mpg. They’re fun to drive and the road holding is unbelievable.”

He added: “I’m a petrolhead. I used to run a garage, and it’s a great atmosphere.”

Carole Hathaway showed off her 1955 Bentley S1 next to son Alan’s Triumph 2000.

Alan, a driving instructor at Oxford Bus Company, said: “The show started small and each year has added more and more and you always meet like-minded people.”

Andy Harrop, from Abingdon, displayed his Austin Healey 3000 with daughter Katie.

He said: “When I was a little boy some of my neighbours had these, and when I was an apprentice at Hartwell’s I used to work on things like this. I decided that when I was able to afford it I’d get one.”

He added: “It’s a great little show and you find a lot of people know a lot of people because we’re all local. It’s a nice day out and all for a good cause.”