Retro Rides is a car festival that celebrates retro car culture and attracts car enthusiasts from all over the UK. Unlike other car festivals, Retro Rides focuses on vehicles registered before 2000, allowing attendees to experience the joy of motoring without modern technology and features.
One of the standout cars at Retro Rides was the Volvo 850 T5-R, which was featured as Autocar’s show car. This top-spec Volvo came from Volvo’s heritage fleet and showcased the iconic yellow five-cylinder estate car with a turbocharger. The 850 T5-R boasted a powerful 2.5-liter five-pot engine and impressive performance figures, despite being almost 20 years old. Its unique design and vintage Volvo styling cues made it a hit among festival-goers.
Another notable car at Retro Rides was the Audi 80 Avant diesel. This Audi has had quite a journey, starting as a broken-down purchase at an auction and transforming into one of the owner’s most reliable cars after a £15,000 restoration. The owner’s love for this car is evident, as he even mentioned converting it to electric rather than selling it for a ULEZ-compliant vehicle.
The BMW 840Ci also caught attention at Retro Rides. Its owner, Lukas Wagel, had spent £30,000 on refurbishing this individual-spec 840Ci, showcasing his affinity for the E31 BMW 8 Series. The car underwent extensive improvements, including a new engine, suspension, and refurbished alloys. Despite the option to sell or upgrade to a new car, Wagel’s attachment to his meticulously restored BMW made it a non-negotiable possession.
The festival also featured a range of modified cars, such as the supercharged Mini Mayfair. Once an “absolute rot box,” this Mini has been transformed into a sub-tonne rocket with impressive power and luxury features. The owner’s attention to detail is evident in the car’s rebuilt subframes, upgraded brakes, and modified engine, which now produces 130bhp.
Classic cars like the Lancia Flavia and Fiat Uno Turbo IE also made appearances at Retro Rides. The Lancia Flavia underwent a thorough restoration, with the owner giving it a new paint job and interior deep clean. The Fiat Uno Turbo IE, on the other hand, was carefully restored to its original condition, with every serviceable item changed and a totally original engine.
Other notable cars included the Ford Escort AA van, Porsche 944 S2, Opel Monza GSE, Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, Chevrolet lowrider, Audi S4 Avant, and Mercedes E36 AMG. Each car had its unique story and showcased the passion and dedication of their owners.
Retro Rides is not just a car festival; it’s a community of car enthusiasts who appreciate the beauty and nostalgia of retro cars. The event continues to grow in popularity, attracting thousands of attendees each year. It serves as a reminder that despite modern advancements in technology, there is still a place for classic cars and the joy they bring to their owners and admirers.