Sixth Annual Classic Car Rally at Harman’s Cross - 11th &12th July 1998

Report by APM Wright - July 28th 1998

Rain did not dampen spirits as the best of road and rail came together on the weekend of July 11 and 12 when Swanage Railway volunteers teamed up with the Dorset Austin Seven Club to stage the sixth annual Classic Car Rally next to Harman’s Cross station.

More than 200 gleaming vintage cars from the dawn of motoring through to the Swinging 1960s have converged on the Swanage Railway for the Purbeck Line’s annual Vintage Vehicle Weekend staged in association with the Dorset Austin Seven Club.

Open from 10am to 5 pm, the venue for the popular volunteer-run two-day event on July 11 and 12, 1998, was a field next to the relaid Purbeck Line station at Harman’s Cross - midway between Swanage and Corfe Castle - and opposite the village hall in Haycraft’s Lane.

Held for the sixth year running with cars from the 1920s to 1969, there was also auto jumble, a real ale tent, bouncy castle, an arts and crafts showcase by local people, as well as children’s roundabout and refreshments.

Austin Sevens and the Standard range of motor cars stood together as ex-BR Standard Class 4 Tank 80104 of 1955 and ex-BR Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific 34072 ‘257 Squadron’ passed by while hauling trains from Swanage to Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden Park and Ride.

"The event was marred by heavy rain by lunchtime on the Saturday but it didn’t dampen spirits and in the true Bulldog Britain spirit everyone enjoyed the event," said Swanage Railway’s Passenger Services Manager David Green.

"We even had vintage motor cars turn up on the Sunday in the pouring rain. It’s good to see cars and steam trains together because they are both modes of transport, and car and railway enthusiasts have a lot in common. We’re already making plans for next year’s Classic Car Rally," he added.

The Dorset Austin Seven Club is 21 years old and has around 100 members. It meets on the third Thursday of the month from 8 pm at the Tyrrell’s Ford Hotel at Avon between Christchurch and Ringwood. New members are welcome via John Page on 01202 473207.