A HISTORIC vehicle gathering at an historic venue takes place in Teignbridge this weekend after a three year hiatus.

The event, organised by the Crash Box Classic Car Club of Devon, makes a welcome retune to the grounds of Powderham Castle on Saturday and Sunday (July 9 and 10).

Covering more than 100 years of motoring the event, now in its 47th year, attracts more than 2,000 vehicles, many of which can be found on displays from 70 vehicle clubs.

Richard Nunn, the rally chairman of the Historic Vehicle Gathering, said: ‘We are looking forward to welcoming our many visitors, exhibitors and traders to Powderham after an absence of three years. All the entries we receive help to add to the diverse array of vehicles on display, which appeal to young and not-so-young enthusiasts alike.’

Amongst the car club displays will be a line-up of Austin Sevens provided by the Devon Austin Seven Club who are celebrating the centenary of what was Britain’s first truly affordable mass-produced car of British design and manufacture.

At launch it cost around £165 and featured a 747cc engine which was enough to propel this diminutive car to a top speed of 50mph.

By the time the final examples left the Longbridge assembly line in 1939, around 290,000 examples had been built.

For enthusiasts with an appreciation of steamers, there are 25 full steamers and 30 miniatures booked in, plus an array of commercial vehicles, motorcycles and military vehicles.

The event also raises funds for various local charities, with this year’s chosen local charities being Pete’s Dragons in Exmouth, FORCE Cancer Charity and St Petrock’s in Exeter.

For further information on this year’s Historic Vehicle Gathering see the website www.historic-vehicle-gathering.info.