Two, three and four wheels turn-out for classic meet at West Berks pub

The latest recent informal meet of classic vehicles attracted a good turn-out of restored motorbikes at West Berks CAMRA Pub of the Year The Bell at Aldworth.

The arrival of Hampstead Norreys enthusiast Ray Prior is always eagerly anticipated at these events as he never fails to surprise with one of his quirky collection – this time it was a JDM Honda Gyro Canopy - a tilting three-wheeler from the year 2000. “It originated from the BSA Ariel 3,” he explained. “They sold the plans to Japan and they developed it over many years into this.”

Mainly used as a delivery vehicle, “there aren’t many in this country, they are nearly all over in Japan. “It’s very interesting,” he continued. “Although it has three wheels, it leans, so you ride it like a motorbike.

David MacManus’ Sunbeam model 9 has been in the family since 1931, when his grandfather had it for his 21st birthday and Roger Richards’ 1960 Matchless G3X auxiliary Fire Service was originally designed to assist local fire brigades in the Second World War and later to supplement the Civil Defence Corps in planning for possible nuclear attack. The Matchless G3 would have been sent ahead of emergency vehicles such as the ‘Green Goddess’ fire engines in an effort to control traffic. Mr Richards has owed it since 1995 and although he has added a new seat, “everything else is original,” he said.

Keith Wren’s 1961 BSA A10 frame with a period 500 Triumph Speed Twin engine was a popular conversion in the 60s. He has owned it for around six months. “A tidy looking bike,” he said, and “other than having the tank, oil tank and toolbox painted, all it needed was a bit of cleaning up.”

Mr Wren had ridden the motorbike to set up stall selling spare parts with Philip Hampson and business was brisk – as was the banter. “It’s been a very reasonable day,” he concluded. “You always meet plenty of people who are quite talkative.”

Representing the four wheel enthusiasts, pub regular Hugh Crabtree decided to bring his 1955 Mk 3 Sunbeam out from Reading for the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs’ National Drive It Day on April 23. Originally bought by his father in 1959, the car has been in the family ever since and Mr Crabtree completed a bare metal restoration of the classic in 2014.

The event was organised by George Simmonds of Compton.

Pictures Geoff Fletcher