STARS & STRIPES

Classic American Car Show, Tatton Park 2021

Muddy Madam here, and I have a confession - I'm not a major fan of being dragged around 4x4 car shows. I know, I know, in this magazine that is tantamount to sacrilege, but you see I don't have the love that Damian does for all things big, and usually muddy, but when it comes to unsual motors and cool chromed Yank-mobiles, well that's a different matter, so when I spotted this show was actually on I was eager to go despite the threat of heavy, thundery storms over the weekend.

Damian and I hedged our bets that Saturday would be the least wet, and as we made our way to Tatton park, near Knutsford - we were right!

I'll let Damian tell you more....

Tatton Stars & Stripes is a huge show that's been running for more than 30 years which celebrates all things American, from Mustangs to ex-US Army vehicles from pretty much every decade.

When it comes top writing about it, it’s really difficult knowing where to begin because, from customised hot rods to pumped-up pickups and even a variety of US motorcycles, the show had everything, including quite a few rarities and vehicles that I’d never seen in the flesh before.

As we parked up, sporadic bursts of V8 loveliness sprung to life and bellowed through the grounds, it stirred the soul giving me a warm fuzzy feeling - Muddy Madam just smiled that knowing smile back at me, essentially understanding she would lose me to the draw of the delightful rumbles.

Seeing as Covid is still around, and with the aforementioned potential downpours, the show was surprisingly well attended (or maybe not so surprising seeing as we have all been climbing the walls to get out and do something), and it was really nice to actually see a lot of families (start 'em young!)

There was a really great 'wild west' style area created by The Maverick's Show Team that had teepees, civil war style tents and a pretty amazing cabin 'camper' with a working roaring fire.

All the dwellings had characters dressed authentic garb, recreating professions of the era complete with matching equipment and utensils.

This classic school bus had been converted to a camper.

The 'Stars' of the show are the cars, and rightly so, but the show also allowed visitors to stock up on classic parts, spares and accessories from the many autojumble stands and specialist traders, and there were quite a few other interesting stalls selling everything from chunky wood dining tables to quirky Zippo lighter style lamps.

On our way out, the gentle throb from muscular V8s could be heard from all around, and if heaven was a place on earth, this weekend it was in Knutsford!