Cars and Cake at Duke of London - 21/01/24
Words and Images by Mitcham Media
Cars and Coffee is an ever growing trendy event in the UK, and the variety of events range from half arsed to members clubs and full corporate, but no one will be able to compete with the calibre of Classics and Cake at Duke of London. Time and time again Merlin and his team put on an epic event in Brentford, London.
A big part of what makes these events so good is the variety of attendees and everyone is passionate to see, talk, learn and enjoy everything there.
Retro rides are definitely in, with some modern classic icons like BMW 850i, Range Rover Classic, Ferrari 550 and a Renault 5 Gordini amongst the array.
A gem sat on the blue road was an immaculate little Z3, a car which for years had been a bargain basement, often forgotten about is now becoming a modern classic. It’s difficult to work out what was so captivating by the Z3, especially as other than one featuring in James Bond Goldeneye there’s no lasting memory from seeing them around as a youth/foets.
The convertible theme continued inside with a brace of thoroughbred roofless machines, a Ferrari 488 Spider, and a Meyers Manx beach buggy. While it’s not really topless time of year in the UK, there would be something very fun about cutting about in a beach buggy with the burbley beetle engine blaring.
There were also some ‘proper’ classics scattered about including a gorgeous Fiat 595 Abarth. Arguably Italys answer to the Mini Cooper S, but which is better?
Modern cars are also allowed, and matching the winter mood it included some SUVs with an Ineos Grenadier and Land Rover Defender in matching stealth matte black looking like some sort of Special Forces operation was in full flow. Similarly 4x4 was a white Lamborghini Huracan which added an aggressive side to proceedings, the noise and design of a Lamborghini will forever bring some form of child like joy and excitement.
The mix of classic, modern classic and modern cars spread through into the stock held at Duke of London ranging from a 1955 Ford Thunder Bird to a 2019 BMW i8 (in copper). The personal highlight was the 1991 Range Rover Vogue although closely followed by the stunning red Austin Healey.
Motorbikes are not normally a personal vice but there is something about an old scramble bike which looks cool, in fact old bikes in general have a certain something about them. The simplicity and exposed mechanical details of the old bikes looks very steampunk.
Thank you to Merlin and his team at Duke of London for hosting an excellent morning as always. Check out a few more photos from the morning below.
