Manky Monkey Motors

Don't for get January 1st at the Phoenix pub. Thats Phoenix Green, Hartley Whintney

Yup, I've been going to the Phoenix Green meet for nearly 30 years. A great way to blow away the post Christmas cobwebs.
Classic cars & bikes of all types. From mid morning to mid afternoon. "The Phoenix", beside the A30, Phoenix Green, Hartley Whintney, Hants.
 

I hope to be there again this year in the Galaxie  :)

Cool! I'll look out for you.

I'm sure some of the other Guzzlers will be there too.

I will try and get there if i finish rebuilding the truck suspension and wiring,
or i will be taking the bus, that will mean i need to start on my way about boxing day

Might pop up with my son to this, try and walk off the crimbo excesses!!

That was drive up, and then walk about, not walk all the way before someone starts!!!! :)

Can't you borrow the company vehicle Clive?

shall we start the cruise early then??? hoping to take the '49 peterbilt-parking will be fun!

 ;D
Hiya Derek. I'll definitely be there but Taz may be working.
If anyone's thinking of trying this one for the first time, I'd recommend turning up early as a lot of vehicles arrive & leave early or just pass through.
Well worth a look.

I will be there in the truck, see you all then
Mark

See you there Marky matey. ;)

i'll be going to brooklands, not sure what the skellys will be dressed as  ;)

Just realised we didn't post this one on the events calendar, (at the top of this page).
As predicted, my missus Taz had to work today, (she runs a horse stable yard), so it was a solo trip for me. For once I was organised enough to be there by around 9.30 in the morning to find it wasn't as busy as I'd expected. Spoke to several people who reminded me that the Brooklands historic race circuit, about 30 miles away, was also hosting a classic meet today, so many of the vintage machines may have headed there instead.
Needn't have worried though -by mid morning the place was heaving. Never seen it so busy. The country might be in the grip of an economic slump, but seems people are determined to get out & enjoy themselves & are gonna drive their cars no matter what. The unusually mild weather must've helped too.
I've no idea how long this meet's been going, but I've been attending it for over 30 years now. The Phoenix pub stands beside the busy A30, which used to be the main route between London & the West Country until the M3 motorway was built. The pub's been the meeting place of the classic car club, as well as several one make clubs, for many years & it's they who initiated the New Years Day meet.
It might not show in my snapshots, but it's a very busy road. By lunchtime every spare strip of grass verge held classic cars, trucks & bikes & the central reservation became a temporary carpark. Local hotrod clubs The Surrey Street Rodders & The Guzzlers were both there -nice to see you guys.
I always wonder what weekend drivers just passing through must make of it all. They trundle by, on their way to the garden centre or the DIY store or whatever, & suddenly find themselves among 100s of 1000s of pounds worth of classics, abandoned all over the place, with the pavements lined with onlookers.
Although there's still plenty of huge vintage tourers about, the number of hotrods attending has increased in recent years & I've heard mutterings from the classic crowd that they're hijacking the meet. The rodders were well behaved though, with none of the burnouts & engine revving you get elsewhere. Besides, they share a common love of vintage tin. I really hope the 2 factions can enjoy this event together, cos I love seeing the classic stuff being driven instead of sitting in a museum somewhere -plus I hope to take my own rod along next year!
A great day out. Beautiful machines everywhere you looked, lots of old mates to chat to & a genuinely friendly atmosphere. The skies stayed clear all morning, but as things began to wind down around 1.30 in the afternoon & I made my way back to my boring commuter car, tucked away in a side road, the rain began to fall. Perfect timing.
I took over 500 snaps, but with our photo galleries still offline, I'll post a few dozen here for now.
 

.

.

.

.

Forum & Surrey Street Rodders member Deadly Derek & his lovely lady Pat brought along their latest acquisition -a huge vintage Peterbilt truck. Apparently the same model as the Satanic black tanker that chases Dennis Weaver in the classic film "Dual".

Drinkwater's their surname & Chiddingfold's the village they live in.

They also brought along one of their Diamond T trucks. They own 2 of the only 3 in the country.

now that peterbilt is my kind of truck

just love the parking brake in the last pic ;) ;)

what is derek gonna do with the new truck

 :) Manky technology!
There was talk of adding it to their line up of catering vehicles by building a flame grilled steak bar to go on the back. Derek & Pat make a living from selling burgers at car shows from a selection of classic vehicles. They tell their bank manager they're investing in new trucks for their fleet, but really they just love big motors.

.

.

For those too young to remember them, this orange thing ain't a space hopper, it's a Reliant Bond Bug. I had a ride in one when I was a teenager. Scariest vehicle I've ever travelled in.

.

Calvin brought along his Chevy cab-over truck. I do like this.
The man & his beard.

Forum member Dave_Postie's Farnham estate.

.

.

Plenty of commercials too.
Richard of the Mustang Workshop's Transit van.

.

.

.

Forum & Guzzlers car club member 57GMC's ...err, 1957 GMC truck.

How many Honda Superdreams do you see these days? This was the bike to have when I were a spotty teenager. 

Remember these? So which was fastest?

Another of those "Coo, I haven't seen one of those for ages" vehicles. An MG turbo Austin Maestro.

Lots of everyday cars among the big name classics. I find these bring the memories flooding back far more than the posh stuff cos they were the cars your mate's Dads drove.

.

Mark 3 Ford Cortinas seemed to be everywhere.

And Ford Capris.

.

Another Surrey Street Rodders' car.

.

Billy from the North American Motor Company's ...'33?

.

Dodge Dart super stox. Nice.

.

.

.

That ol' truck again.
Derek & Pat were off to visit relatives at a nursing home after the meet, but said they might have to park up somewhere & phone a taxi cos they'd never get the Peterbilt up the driveway!

.

Featured in this month's Custom Car magazine.

.

.

.

Forum member Phunkie Hiboy's roadster.

.

.

.

.

.

I thought this was gorgeous. Reminds me of the British racing green one Steed used to drive in the New Avengers.

.

Volvo Amazon estate was subtley cool too.

.

Galaxy500 -Nathan, is this yours?

.

.

.

Amazingly, not a Police car in sight all day, despite a major A road being turned into a carpark for the morning.

Cooo-elll.

.

.

Lovely little Triumph based special was up for sale for 8 grand.

.

.

.

.

A vicious gang of Morris Dancers gate-crashed the event & proceeded to dance all over the place. There really is no excuse for this kind of behaviour.  :P

Terrified rockers were forced to flee.

Super clean Rover V8 engined T bucket was a new one to me.

.

.

My snaps don't really show the huge crowds of people lining the roadside or the sheer number of vehicles passing through.
I think it's the fact that everything's constantly moving, rather than just parked up at a static show, that makes this meet so interesting. It's a chance to see classic cars actually being driven.
If you've never been, I'd recommend the Phoenix meet. A great way to start the New Year.

that blue T,bucket has been on ebay recently  12grand buy it now, the first time then relisted at  9 grand start price but i dont think it met its reserve the 2nd time

The guy driving it said his Dad had built it, so I guess he must be the seller, not a buyer.
Sounded nice.

Yep that's my Galaxie  :)
Nice photos.
It was a great show with a wide range of cool vehicles and a good excuse to get out the house.

Nathan

I think that one lives in Finchampstead - at least it used to.  Sigh - I miss my Maestro........

I looked for you Nathan, but not having met you before, it was kinda difficult to spot you! I did nod at someone I thought might've been you, but if it wasn't, then I s'pose you won't have seen me.  :P I trust you'll be bringing the motor along to the Basingstoke Transport Festival in May?
Bobbi, I had 2 Maestros & really liked them. 

Some one had to like um ;D ;D ;D

One of mine was written off when I hit a milk float -no, we weren't racing.
The other was written off when I hit a badger -alright, I was racing him.

Yes that must have been me, I also nodded at a familiar face, but wasnt sure if it was you or not!  :) I hope to join you guys at the basingstoke event, but i'll confirm closer to the time.

My face always looks familiar to me. Well, most of the time. Sometimes I'm not so sure.
You'd be very welcome Sir.