I have been going to the Classic since it first started and this year was the second trip for the Spyder.
We travelled down with a '59 Merc 190SL, 78 Jag coupe, 66 Jag E type, '84 Ford Fiesta (with a 170 bhp Zetec engine), Alfa Spyder and a Ford Kuga support vehicle (and a couple of motorbikes). Most of the journey was spent on UK A roads and French D roads and we arrived at the campsite we use (15km north of Le Mans) late afternoon. The Lancia performed faultlessly and equally happy cruising at 80mph or flying round corners on the backroads.
On Friday night at the campsite the owner puts on a garden party and invites his favourite cars from the site to park on the front lawn of his Chateau - and this year the Lancia (and the 190sl and the Etype were chosen)
I spent the whole evening talking to people who love Lancias and 8 people who used to own Betas. Even the haters agreed that it was a bloody travesty that my car is probably worth £4k (on an exceptionally good day) against maybe £15k for an equivalent Mk1 Escort. In fact, one chap offerred to buy the car there and then!
The weekend was spent at the track - consuming my bodyweight in French lager and baguettes whilst enjoying the car pornography.
Unfortunately, while driving home yesterday, the front wheel started grumbling and then the wheel bearing collapsed - somehow damaging one of the wheel studs. So it was badly loaded onto a transporter and I finished the last 200 miles in the back of the Cougar.
I'm not sure when the car will be repatriated - I have been told that they may try and replace the hub / bearing and then fly me back out to drive it home but I would rather do it myself. Watch this space!!!
