The Retro Show – Just Gets Better!

The Retro Truck Show at Gaydon has long been a fixture for anyone with an interest in older commercial vehicles, and the most recent edition did nothing to dent its reputation. By Sunday morning the count stood at 401 trucks inside the main gate — a record, and a figure that says plenty about the health of the historic scene.

A Broader Field Than Ever

One of the most striking features of this year’s gathering was the sheer variety of manufacturers on display. In some years the line-up can feel dominated by freshly restored Scania and Volvo models, which is no bad thing in itself. This time, though, there were Fords, Scammells, Magirus Deutz and ERF among the ranks, plus a superb Scottish DAF that had clearly benefited from a no-expense-spared restoration and looked better than it would have done new.

There was even a dedicated Mercedes area — a first for the show — which went down well with the marque’s followers. The standard of restoration and preservation across the board was remarkable, but it is worth remembering that not everyone has the budget for a chassis-up rebuild. Owners who simply keep their pride and joy roadworthy and MOT’d are doing just as important a job. Every old truck kept on the road is one kept away from the gas axe.

The Social Side

Ask regulars what keeps them coming back and the answer is rarely just the vehicles. The show has a reputation as the most sociable event of its kind in the UK, and with good reason. You can barely walk fifty metres without bumping into someone you know, or striking up a conversation with someone you don’t. One visitor reported having spent three hours at the show and barely reached the end of the first row.

That atmosphere comes from the people as much as the trucks. There are the encyclopaedic types who know the history of a model better than the firm that built it, the serial collectors, and the well-known figures from the haulage world who are always good for a chat and a laugh. Sharing a beer, swapping stories and enjoying home-cooked food and a proper cooked breakfast — served by a team who take the same old driver jokes in their stride — is all part of the weekend.

Standout Moments

Among the vehicles that drew particular attention was an MAN Roadhaus from Wexford, while the appearance of a few Renault Magnums on the scene was a welcome sight. The sound of a Transcontinental running a Detroit engine was another highlight.

There was also a notable presence in the form of Mike Dunston, a 79-year-old still driving internationally and very much a living legend of the industry.

Looking Ahead

A note for the organisers: several attendees remarked that a few too many modern trucks had crept into the line-up. Whether that matters is a fair question for debate — without enough vehicles, after all, the show would not be what it is.

Either way, the event remains a high point of the calendar for anyone who loves the golden years of UK haulage. Thanks are due to Lee Herbert and his team for putting it all together. The next edition cannot come soon enough.