Newton Poppleford man to offer rides in his classic Rover P4 at car show next month

ROVER P4 enthusiasts, one from Newton Poppleford, are planning the first ever classic car show in the Sid Valley.

Ian Hartnell from Newton Poppleford and Graham Guest from Sidmouth, are both members of the P4 Drivers Guild, Devon, which is behind the show at the Blue Ball, Sidford, on Saturday, June 25.

Both own Rover P4 110 cars from the 1960s and will be offering show-goers rides in their precious vehicles during the day.

Ian, 63, is excited about the event, which has already attracted some 30 classic car owners, from as far away as Paignton.

“This is the first classic car show held in the Sid Valley, not only will P4’s be there but other sorts of cars too, though the nucleus is Rover, MG and Renault,” he said.

Chairman of the P4 guild locally, Ian thanked Roger Newton, who runs the Blue Ball, for allowing the use of his field near the pub for the show, which starts at 11am and ends at 4pm.

“It costs �5 to enter a car in the show and �2 for people to come and see them. Children under 10 are free,” said Ian, who calls his Rover Bess.

Money raised will go to Devon Air Ambulance appeal, Help for Heroes and some to club funds.

A model transport display will be staged by Tony Cleddon, one of the founders of the P4 guild, and car rides – for donations - will go from Sidford to Sidmouth seafront and back.

Graham, whose Rover dates from 1963, worked for Rover for many years, ending up as its engineering operations director.

Both describe the P4 as “the poor man’s Rolls Royce” and still use their cars on the road regularly.

If you have a classic car and wish to join the show in June, contact Ian on (01395) 568034 or download an entry form at www.roverp4guildsouthwest.info.