Expertly curated show celebrates the conservation of once-numerous classics now on the verge of extinction
Nestled in the village of Alford in Aberdeenshire, the Grampian Transport Museum is an award-winning attraction whose staff and army of volunteers have a passion for old machinery of all kinds, and particularly classic cars.
How Many Left? sits on the museum’s calendar of events held on its dedicated oval track as a fan favourite, celebrating forgotten models that were once street furniture but now exist in numbers of 500 or less according to the DVLA database.
The result of the exhibition criteria is a varied collection of lesser-spotted models, trim-level oddities and unlikely survivors. Some of the rarer cars on display included a 1967 Vauxhall Viva Brabham (one of six examples left), one of the three remaining examples of the Rover 115D Ascot, plus the sole remaining automatic Opel Commodore of just three examples of the model on UK roads.
The packed schedule included vehicle rides as well as a parade featuring a number of the cars on show. The Holiday Challenge injected some fun, with two-person teams packing their cars with inflatables and suitcases, navigating obstacles and reverse parking into a cone bay all under the watchful eye of a panel of judges.
A prizegiving ceremony rounded off proceedings, with the Rarest Survivor award claimed by David Skene and his 1989 Hyundai Pony 1.5 GLS Auto, one of just three left on the road. The Most Unusual gong went to Steve Jeffries and his 1971 Gilbern Invader Mk1, with the Commentator’s Choice awards going to Neil Scott’s1973 Jensen Healey.
Dates for next year’s How Many Left? show are yet to be announced; keep an eye on gtm.org.uk for more information.
