Little Classics News: 14 April 2014
Record Attendance at Pride of Longbridge 2014
Aware that enthusiasm for Pride of Longbridge grows every year the Austin Longbridge Federation (ALF), the classic car organisers of the motoring section, took the bold step of expanding the event into the greater park area this year to accommodate a predicted growth in size. The new layout proved a great success; the event felt busy but not cramped and this, allied to good weather, is surely why so many felt 2014 was the best POL to date.
However, even ALF committee members were amazed at the numbers attending, at least 2000 vehicles. Over 40 clubs belonging to ALF organised classic car displays, proving a great success for the many attendees.
Any vehicle with a Longbridge connection was welcome to attend and the variety of cars this year was even greater than ever. However, the organisers would like to encourage more enthusiasts with classic vehicles to bring them out for the first event in the year's classic car calendar next year.
With many foreign visitors bringing vehicles to display, including a small convoy from Holland, the park was busy all day. Many local residents, mostly former workers and their families attended and were keen to talk to about the cars and their experiences at the Longbridge plant with enthusiasts who are now restoring them. The MG Sales Centre across the road in the Longbridge factory also had a busy day demonstrating the new MG3 and sold a number of cars to people attending the event.
Pride of Longbridge will return in 2015.