Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club Annual Rally at Burghley House (2022)

Grand cars at a grand location. This was my favourite photo of those taken on my No.1 Pocket Kodak camera. *1/25s 111mm F22, focus set at 5m.*

2022 continues to roll on with the return of all the big events that we’ve been missing for the past two years, and the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club (RREC) Annual Rally is once again back at Burghley House, but unlike last year is back to its full size. Sadly, the rain made a significant appearance on the day that meant attendees were left scrambling to shelter in their cars or under one of the many marquees to avoid getting soaked. Typically, the final day on Sunday that I wasn’t there saw a much drier weather!

Built by William Cecil who later became the 1st Baron Burghley, and was the long time Chief Advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, Burghley House is a leading example of a Prodigy house. *1/4s (B) 111mm F45, focus set at 8m.*

**Marshalls were on hand to guide cars to their parking spots.**

**The event gave friends and club members a chance to catch-up in person.**

**Owners could pick up spare parts for their cars at one of the marquees.**

**A music band was on hand to keep people entertained while they sheltered from the rain.**

**The beer tent did a roaring trade as people looked to escape the wet weather.**

Nonetheless it was still great to see so many keen Rolls-Royce & Bentley enthusiasts turn up in numbers in their pride & joy. Despite the astronomical price of fuel currently, there was still a good turn out from the continent, and I noticed a remarkable number of Dutch cars parked up. I would have liked to have spoken to more owners but alas the wet weather meant you were far less likely to find someone to chat to next to their cars. Still, I found a few potential leads for magazine features and my Pocket Kodak camera certainly drew a few admirers and onlookers when I had it out to photograph some of the pre-war cars. Though my camera was the oldest I saw that day I was far from the only film shooter. Just a shame there were a few modern cars which ruined the retro illusion at times.

**Slate grey skies make for a dramatic backdrop against the cars.**

**The wonderful patterns of cracked leather give an indication of the age of some of the cars on show.**

**For fans and enthusiasts the event gives you the chance to get up close with cars that are rare and not often seen.**

**A beautiful Bentley S2 Convertible that had arrived from Belgian.**

**There were plenty of other cars from Europe with Dutch cars making up the lion’s share.**

Some highlights from the show from me include cars from famous Indian car collector Yohan Poonawalla. One being the striking cream and red Mark VI complete with gold- and silver-plated shields that was originally made for the Maharaja of Mysore (hence its license plate) and the Phantom VI which was used by HRH Queen Elizabeth II during her trip to Sweden in 1983 (which also has an appropriate license plate). However perhaps the finest car I saw was the 1909 Silver Ghost (believed to be the eighteenth oldest surviving) which was up for sale for a cool £1.25M. Certainly out my price range but with the current weakness of the Sterling I have a suspicion this will inevitably be bought by an overseas enthusiast with deep pockets.

**The eye-popping car that was originally made for the Maharaja of Mysore. It is currently in the UK on tour and for restoration work before it goes back to its home in India.**

The gold-and-silver-plated emblems are a dramatic edition to this particular car.

**A car fit for a queen. HRH Elizabeth I used this Phantom VI, perhaps the most highly specified one ever built with every option and more available, on her trip to Sweden in 1983.**

Exquisite rear velvet seats. These are actually a bespoke, electrically adjustable option that cost an eye-watering £19,000 in the early 1980s.

**Additional temporary rear seats flank the perfectly built drinks cabinet. It felt slightly strange to hold a glass that the Queen has most likely used previously.**

**The stunning Silver Ghost that was up for sale for £1.25M. Not one to park on the road.**

I’m certainly still a long way from turning up as an owner at one of these events but, as always, it’s a joy to see such rare and valuable cars on public display and get my annual reminder that the Camargue really is one of the ugliest cars ever built. Thankfully some things never change.