From early steam to classic cars straight out of the silver screen – vehicles in all their many guises will be revving up this weekend.

The annual Heritage Transport Show, now in its eighth year, will bring buses, steam engines, bikes and coaches to the Kent Showground at Detling on Saturday, April 1.

And there’ll be some film star turns from some.

The 1966 Volvo P1800S, driven by Roger Moore in The Saint TV series and the 1978 Lotus Esprit 52, the same model featured in the Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me will be speeding in.

Visitors will also be able to see a replica of the 1957 Porsche 356A Speedster, famously raced in the USA by James Dean and Steve McQueen in the 1950s and 60s.

Vintage lovers will not be disappointed as examples of veteran and heritage vehicles will be on show, including a 150-year-old modern internal combustion engine used by thousands of makes and models over the decades, and many makes of familiar names in car manufacturing through the years will be exhibited.

Buses come from the long-standing partnership with the South East Bus Festival, which will bring more than 100 buses and coaches.

Some will be offering a free service around the showground for visitors, who can wait at a number of special bus stop around the site and take a trip back in time as they climb aboard a vintage bus.

There will also be a large display of agricultural machinery and stationary engines. Hopfields Live Steam Model Railway, Maidstone Model Engineering Society and the Veteran Cycle Club Display will hold demonstrations and displays through the day.

Trevor Manuel, heritage committee chairman, said: “Our show illustrates the history of the motor industry. Many visitors whether young or old have specific memories of a particular make or model that played an important part in their life. Without owners who spend time maintaining these vehicles, we would not be able to understand the remarkable journey the modern day car has undertaken.”

Throughout the day, owners will remain with their vehicles to chat to enthusiasts and answer visitors’ questions.

DETAILS

The show will run from 10am to 4pm. The combined ticket costs £10 with car parking, and under-14s get in free. Tickets can be bought in advance for £7. Go to kentshowground.co.uk/heritage-transport-show

TAKE A PIT-STOP

It’s not just the transport that will get pulses racing – there are some tasty treats on offer too.

Kent Farmers’ Market returns with produce from across the county. Run by the organisers of the Tonbridge and Aylesford farmers’ markets, there will be award-winning chutneys and jams, Kentish beers, home-made sausage rolls and pasties as well as other products.
Sundae Surprise, a vintage tea shop serving a traditional country kitchen menu, will be returning for a second year.

The retro soundtrack for the day will be supplied by The Damsels, a female vocal group who were popular last year and will return with vintage songs. Find them in the Maidstone Exhibition Hall.