Lyn Valley Classic among ‘best car shows in the world’ says celebrity petrolhead Jodie Kidd

The people, the stories and the vibe are all what makes the Lyn Valley Classic ‘one of the best car shows in the world’ according to VIP guest and renowned petrolhead Jodie Kidd when she joined the event at Lynton and Lynmouth on Sunday.

The former supermodel, racing driver and huge car fan was attending the popular charity car show for the second year running, fulfilling her promise to return after being so impressed by it last year. Once again she attended with her friend and fellow celebrity, fashion designer Alice Temperley MBE.

The event saw the streets of Lynton filled with around 100 supercars from Ferraris and McLarens to Vipers, while the Manor Green at Lynmouth hosted an array of 300 vintage, classic, tuned and sports cars enough to enthuse any automobile fan.

Above and below: Jodie Kidd and John Tribe with his 1954 Fiat Topolino and Jodie lets John tell the crowd about his car. Credit: James Tucker

Above: Alice Temperley MBE, John Tribe, Jodie Kidd and Kevin Sargeant with their chosen cars of the Lyn Valley Classic – John’s Fiat (left) and Kevin’s Lotus. Credit: James Tucker

Thousands of visitors were able to enjoy browsing the cars, an array of trade stalls and sideshows plus entertainment and even the chance to meet local adventurer Derek Hernaman with his vintage Land Rover and caravan – nicknamed George and Mildred – which he took on a 4,000 mile journey around the British Isles.

Above and below: Lynmouth’s Manor Green was filled with vintage, classic, tuned and sports cars for the 11th Lyn Valley Classic. Credit: Simon Ellery

Each year the show raises thousands for main charities Devon Air Ambulance, Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance, North Devon Hospice and the RNLI, plus various local good causes.

Above: North Devon’s John Hernaman and companion with his trusty Land Rover and caravan AKA ‘George and Mildred’. Credit: Simon Ellery

James Tucker of the organising committee said while they didn’t have a figure for this year yet, they expected it to surpass last year’s total of £20,000.

He said Jodie had been ‘as lovely as usual’ and again promised to return next year, with a determination to get even more involved with the event.

James said: “Jodie said it is in her opinion one of the most beautifully set car shows in the world, saying it’s such a lovely show in one of the most beautiful locations.

“A little later when making the presentation in Lynmouth she said she had been to many car shows in the world and she said this was one of the best. She said what made it was the people and the stories and the vibe, just the whole feel of the event.”

Jodie even put in a fast lap on the Race Mode Simulators for others to chase throughout the day! 

Above and below: Lynton became the province of the supercar for a day as the streets were filled with very expensive vehicles for the annual Lyn Valley Classic. Credit: Simon Ellery  

Jodie and Alice were both invited to choose their favourite sponsor’s cars of the show, with Jodie picking a little 1954 Fiat Topolino, a very rare car, owned by John Tribe from Hampshire.

She chose it because of the story behind how it got to the Lyn Valley Classic, as James explained: “John has been coming to the show for the last 10 years. He drove the Topolino down on the Friday, went back on the train and then brought his Ferraris down to the show.

“But there’s much more - last weekend he found the Fiat had a fuel leak, so flew to Switzerland on the Sunday to get the carburettor fixed on the Monday, flying back on Tuesday, put it together Wednesday, then had the MOT on Thursday before driving it down on Friday!

“Jodie was so impressed by the story she chose it as her car of the day.”

Above: Credit: Simon Ellery

At Lynmouth, Alice chose as her car of the day a very special 1953 Lotus Mark 6 in Lynmouth, owned by Kevin Sargeant, which was discovered hidden behind a wall while someone was in the process of renovating a house and the car had clearly been there for quite some time.

Reflecting on a successful event, James said: “It went very well, we had a fabulous turn out of cars, a really good collection of supercars in general and a really lovely collection of sports cars and classics in Lynmouth.

“The big improvement for us was the park and ride from Woody Bay, which went well, but we discovered we needed more buses, so there were some queues and we apologise for that, but next year we will make sure we have more.

“Now we just need to start planning for next year!”