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Three Lochs Classic - 20 August 2017
Story - Jim Paterson. Photos - Paddy MacKay, Jim Paterson
Balmaha,
on the shores of Loch Lomond, welcomed 60 starters for the 2017 Three
Lochs Classic on Sunday 20th August. The
inbound hurricane Gert was thankfully delayed over the Atlantic making
it a dry if at times cool run across the roads of the Trossachs. With a
shorter 'wee' run of 58 miles for the veteran class, and 75 miles for
the rest, this year featured two lochs and a lake. The Automotive
University of Rhu once again provided degrees for those entering the
light hearted 'examinations', and a Concours d'Elegance completed the
day.
Mike
Gascoine flagged off the starters with Jonathan Lord getting them to
line up in order. Later Mike, Gordon Hood and myself Jim Paterson would
do the Concours d'Elegance judging.
 The
pre-war classes covered veterans, with Hamish Wilson sporting a 1912
Renault 8AX, which he regularly drives to France for Renault reunions,
and Richard Dover returning in his 1912 Alldays and Onions 12/14 hp,
which is an ongoing labour of love to keep running smoothly. The Meek
family arrived in their immaculate 1913 Darracq TT13, which would end
up taking top place in the class.
The vintage class listed two
1930 Rolls Royce 20/25 but Allan Lapsley was the only one that turned
out, and a fine car it was too, which meant it won the class, and the
overall award of the day..
 Taking us to the and of the pre-war post vintage class,
spanning 1932 to 1938 was a selection of Riley, Wolseley,
Austin, Morris and MG, names that were common on our roads for many
decades, in the. Graham Runcieman in his fine example of a 1932 MG J2
won the class prize, and second overall award.
We moved into the
1950's and the Classic car period. Class 1 featured the 1954 Big Healey
100 of Kevin Begen, Steve Heron's 1954 Morris Minor, and Margaret Healy
in her 1955 MGA. Margaret collected the class prize.
 The
sixties classics were well represented with a great show of MGA's from
Donald Laing in a 1959 twin cam, Robin Ord in a 1959 Roadster, and
George Rome in his 1960 pristine example of the marque, which won him
the class prize. CCHMSC members Chris and Mary Paton bought their well
presented 1960 Mini which we will see on the forthcoming Crofterra
Pandemonia in September. David Fotheringham brought his 1961 Austin
Healey Sprite frogeye, and the crew would win best dressed, while
Donald Gordon is having great fun in his 1963 big Healey 3000 B37,
securing second in class. Craig McGibbon in his 1965 Volvo 122S still
carries the Monte Carlo Historique decals, celebrating one of several
runs he has made to the Cote d'Azur in the car. CCHMSC member Jock
Millar enjoyed the run in his 1965 MG Midget, which he reported was too
quick for many of the entries today.
 The
late sixties and early seventies were so well represented that they
spread over two classes. Class 3 was difficult for the concours
d'Elegance judges with too many fine examples. John Beattie had made a
superb restoration of a 1965 Ford Mk1 Cortina estate, a car I remember
driving in my early days. Colin Laird 1967 Hillman Imp was a beauty
too. Iain MacDonald in a 1967 Saab 96 V4, was joined by Linda Adams in
her Morris 1800 Mk2, and Ron Smith in a 1968 Triumph TR5. Wilma and
Fulton Beaton returned in their 1971 Chesil Porsche 356 Speedster, a
practical and more affordable way to drive this iconic Porsche. No
classic entry would be complete without a Morgan, and Donald MacDonald
obliged with his 1971 4/4 example.
 Still in 1971, Jim
Simpson sported a morris Traveller, while Guthrie Anderson had an
exemplary example of a Hillman Avenger Tiger, which all the judges
agreed had to be the class winner. The 1972 cars included Dan
Gardner's Volvo 1800ES, Ian and Michelle Calder MGB/GT, and Marion
Hopkins in another Morgan, this time a +8.
Classic Class 4 took
us to the end of the seventies with James Walker in his 1973 Rover P5B
Coupé taking part in its first ever event. Bought in 2002 in a
series of crates, having being in storage sine 1986, he has worked
steadily on the rebuild. The chrome was so immaculate you needed
sunglasses on to shield you from the sun sparkle. Of course all the
judges had no problem awarding James the class prize. Brian Johnston
1974 Reliant Scimitar GTE was joined by John Mellon in his 1974 bright
orange Ford Escort RS2000, recently seen on the CCHMSC Grass Gymkhana.
George Ferguson in his bright yellow 1978 Triumph Dolomite Sprint drew
lots of interest, including club member and fellow 'Dolly Sprint'
owner Karsten Brown, looking for hints and tips as he rebuild his own.
Brian and Janet Telfer had their MGB/GT rounded up the class.
 Over
10 Jaguars had their own class, with the Jaguar Drivers Club presenting
the winners award. The Three Lochs judges had also selected the
same winner, Bill Ross with his immaculate 1950 XK150 SE. You
have to be dedicated to keep chrome wire wheels as clean as he does. Or
is that bonkers?
Finally
there was a 'Special, or Open Class' introduced this year, for post
1982 cars of particular interest. Cars from 1985 to 2007 entered, with
David Shedden in his 2007 Porsche Boxster S collecting the class award.
David Scott had a clean 1985 Golf GTi, with David Marshall seen again
with his Peugeot 205 Rallye 1.3, a regular on events. George Head had a
1996 BMW 320i convertible, while Alan Johnston arrived in a 1999
Alfa romeo Spider. Pulling up the rear, but not least Charlie Young in
his 2007 Mazda MX5.
A great day enjoyed by all. What will 2018 bring for the event. Watch this space.
Donald Gordon Healey 3000 | 
Allan Lapsley collect overall award | 
Best dressed crew |
For more photos of the day from Paddy Mackay see:-
| Published 23 August 2017
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