Tuesday 10 September 2013

How Caple and lots of old cars

New house works from How Caple Court, and it can be a sleepy old place at times. Yet because of it's beautiful setting and 900yr old church, people frequently get married here at weekends, and there's also a vintage car auction every 3 months. The last auction was on Wednesday (the next marriage this Friday I think) :

 
 
This is an American Huber built in 1911 with a 'lifetime guarantee'. Unfortunately the company closed in 1913, so I hope it's new owner isn't too disappointed when he makes his first claim.

 
 
 
 
 
I'm told the Penny Farthing was a Gentleman's bike made by The Coventry Machinist Co in 1875.

I don't know what it is about old vintage cars and beards, but all the true enthusiasts seem to have one. Maybe because many of the old cars have no heaters, so you'd freeze to death if out on the road in winter without a good warm layer of hair on your chin?
The people who buy these lovely old cars get bitten by the collectors bug, and often end up owning a number. They can't resist turning up at the How Caple auction in style, so the car park is packed with interesting old cars too.
This is an old Peugeot. On the back seat the owner thoughtfully left a copy of a French classic car mag where it featured on the front cover.
 
I think this old Jag is an XK140. My grandfather (who started New House) used to drive an XK150, and a few E-Types too. He had a love-hate relationship with them as they were always going wrong. Being an engineer he was always tinkering with them, and used to take them back to the factory for modifications where he'd enjoy chatting to the engineers and designers who built the cars.
 
 

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