Kent, 24 July 2021

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the formation of the business, Barkaways held at gathering at their premises in Kent on the morning of Saturday 24 July for clients and friends. The numbers were down on previous gatherings that they have held, in part due to trying to limit numbers to maintain social distancing, as the country struggles to come out of the pandemic lockdown. This was also a factor in a number of “no-shows”, as some people had been “pinged” by the NHS app, advising them that they had been in contact with a Covid positive person and thus having to self-isolate. A further factor in depleting the ranks of exotica was the weather, with heavy rain and thunderstorms in the early hours of the morning, with the forecast of more to come, which fortunately wasn’t the case as it stayed dry throughout, with even some sunshine breaking through the cloud. Despite this there was an interesting array of cars from clients who ignored the possible vagaries of the weather. These included a selection of Porsches, a pair of early Minis, an Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA, a Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2, together with a Dino 308 GT4, a 512 TR and an F40, plus a variety of modern Ferraris.

A number of current and past projects were on display in the main workshop and in the body shop, including a 195 Inter Ghia Coupé, chassis 0113S, nearing completion of its restoration, adjacent to which was a car fully restored by them a while back, the 250 GT LWB TdF Berlinetta, chassis 0763GT. Attracting a great deal of attention was John Reek’s colourful ex-Nelson Piquet Benetton B190 F1 car, which was positioned just inside the main entrance to the workshop. It attracted even more attention at lunchtime when he started it and ran the Cosworth V8 engine - so much more strident and pleasant music than the current generation of F1 cars! On the subject of music, there was live music courtesy of the Nostalgia Steel Band, putting their own interpretation on some familiar tunes and adding to the party atmosphere.

Further added variety was provided by an ex-Colin McRae MG Metro 6R4 rally car, whilst high on the lifts were a Testarossa and another Barkaways recent restoration, the 250 GT Lusso, chassis 5469GT. In the body shop there was a 308 GTB and a 250 GT Lusso, chassis 4469GT in mid restoration, with a freshly painted splendid gold 250 GT PF Coupé, chassis 1045GT, in the spray booth. Add in the wide range of refreshments to satisfy the inner needs from their Saturday Coffee Hut, and one had all the necessary ingredients for a very pleasant few hours enjoying cars with likeminded folk.

Keith Bluemel
07/2021