VBOA 2023 21st to 23rd July 2023

[Robsey]

Looking through my windows into a cold but dry February afternoon, I thought about warmer sunny times ahead.

And that means 'show season'.

I promised myself every year since 2012 that I will drag my Cavalier kicking and screaming to the shows... but I have only been successful in 2018 and 2019 (VBOA and Vauxfest).
And VBOA only in 2021. - In the Vectra-C

So pending vehicle repairs, I "hope" to take the Cavalier this year.

Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd July 2023, at Sywell Airfield in Northampton.

https://vboa.org.uk/index.php/event/vbo ... ally-2023/

[James McGrath]

I'm going to miss it this year for the first time in ten years
My sister in-law's wedding is on the same weekend. There's no getting out of that!

[Robsey]

That is very inconsiderate of her...
I am surprised you are still on speaking terms - lol.

I hope I will be able to fly the forum flag on your behalf...
Cav repairs permitting...

[iangsi]

Is she using your fleet of cavs as wedding cars

[Envoy CDX]

Sadly, not likely to be there myself either being completely vauxhall-less.

[Robsey]

I am all up in the air at the moment as to which event I will be attending.
So who knows...
Admittedly I prefer the relaxed atmosphere of Vauxfest...
And I do like the idea of Hagerty due to the variety of 80s cars. The years of my youth and fond memories.


UPDATE -
Well - Vauxfest has been cancelled, so it looks like I will need to assert my efforts for either VBOA or Hagerty.

[Robsey]

This is next weekend for anyone interested.

My Cavalier is still SORNed and still needs welding, so probably doing Saturday in the Vectra-C.

If we go on a Sunday, by the time we arrive, everyone else is going home.

That is assuming that I can get admission tickets.
The VBOA front page gives prices, but currently no advance purchase link (mobile web page).

UPDATE -

Tickets look a lot more expensive this year compared to when I last went in 2021.
I have had to email info@vboa to see if I still go, as I haven't got a ticket yet. Ooops!

[Robsey]

And the Reply -

Hi Rob
Prebooking has closed but tickets are available on the gate for entry also available are camping and track action.
Many thanks

[Robsey]

Am I the only person attending this year?

VBOA seems to be out of favour with a lot of clubs, so I hope that I do not turn up to an empty field on Saturday.
Especially as the weather forecast is for rain.
Oh joy...

[Mk3alan]

I'll be there on the Sunday, slipped up with our tickets so will be buying on the gate!

Alan

[Robsey]

It looks like we will be in an empty airfield.
And not even in a Cavalier

[James McGrath]

Hope it goes well, sorry I won't be there.

[vexorg]

I cant remember the last time I saw a calvalier or vectra on the road.

[Robsey]

There is one Vectra-B about 1/2 mile from my home.

Mine is the only Cavalier that I have seen for a few years.
Apart from James' V6 when it came into the workshop of course...
And Troy's BTCC replica still incomplete in the unit covered in 5 year's worth of dust.

Not seen Ian's GSI, and Alan's beautiful example since VauxFest 2019.

[Robsey]

Weather is looking grim.
Looks like I may need my waders.

If anyone is there today, I will hopefully get to say hi.
Just look out for the old git with a black great dane.
Wife insists on taking the pooch that I will have to look after, while she does her own thing in her powered wheelchair - typical. - lol.

[Mk3alan]

Been pouring here for hours but things are looking up after 3am - or is that just wishful thinking!

Alan

[Robsey]

Okey doke - what a crazy day.
But I eventually managed to get to VBOA (Sywell Aerodrome) just after 3pm this afternoon.
Anything that could delay us, did... and then some.
We were so late, that the gate staff let us in for free.

The wife managed to face-plant herself on the gravel car park, trying to tranfer from the car to her wheelchair.
I am sure onlookers would have wondered wtf!?

The rain never eased the whole time that we were there.

We met with JadieCakes, who are a husband and wife "member" from circa 2019 after posting a query about retro-fitting a Z-LET, and who are the ones I did the X20XEV conversion loom for.

After talking to them for an hour, the wife and I multi-tasked by looking at the cars and had an outdoor bath (too wet to be classed as a shower) at the same time. Fully dressed of course.

As usual our great dane attracted a huge amount of attention with a constant stream of vauxhall enthusiasts almost queuing up to see her and stroke her.

Anyway, less talk, lets have some pictures.!!

[Robsey]

I am sure it couldn't be any wetter than today, Alan.

[Robsey]

So here we go...

For Vexorg.
A few Calibras.






And some Mk3 Cavs of course - be rude not to.







Reminiscent of 90s Greater Manchester Ambulance cars, when they had a fleet of purple TD Cav hatches.

[Robsey]

My personal likes are mk2 Cavaliers.








I do like the mk1 astras too.





And keeping it "early stuff"...

[Robsey]

A few more oldies but goodies















And more modern stuff.
Starting with the blingyist car on show.
A what I presume is a vinyl wrapped Insignia-B



And the usual stuff...











And to finish on a few Vectras....



Our Vectra-C.



And a lovely Vectra-B.



And a couple more Cavaliers in the rain.



Sorry - that looks like a Cavalier in Astra's clothing.

[vexorg]

I recognise one calibra, the PVR one

[Robsey]

I was very surprised how different the front ends look from how I remember them.

There were a fair few much older vehicles there, and a Monteray... but due to the rain, I simply didn't take pictures.

I am sure that I also saw a Marina van hiding in the corner. Sorry, again no pictures.

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A highlight for me was seeing a Vulcan bomber parked up, just the other side of the fence from the Restaurant, accessed from the previous drive entrance on the main road.

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I hope the weather down there is better than yesterday.

Up here, 130 miles further north, it has bounced down endlessly all day.
I am thinking of investing in a rubber dingy.

[Mk3alan]

Wow you really had a wet one! Talking to some stallholders they said that they never unpacked their stock, those that did had some really wet stuff on display on Sunday.
Still it is summer!?
Sunday started off cloudy and we walked around with brollies and Mac's ready for a downpour but the day gradually brightened up although very light on visitors compared to previous years.
Spotted this gorgeous mk1 and my all time favourite the Bourdaux Red Senator.
275 miles round trip doing 75 ISH most of the way and averaged 47mpg - life in the old girl yet!

Alan

[Robsey]

I always pick the wrong day...

But as said before,
if we had gone on the Sunday, then the fields would have been almost empty by the time we would have arrived.

Ah well - eyes forward to the 2024 season.