Big Cats

Two Jaguar model cars that I bought the other day. Each one cost me £1.

The rather battered one is a Dinky Toys Type D that I got from a charity shop. If it was in mint condition and had its box, it would be worth about £120. But in its present state, it is only worth about a fiver. Still its nice to have, especially as it was made in the 1950s, the same time as the real one, and I never had one as a child.

The E Type is easily recognisable and has often been called the sexiest car ever made. 1960s cool at its best. The model made by a company called DeAgostini. and came from one of the many pound shops that have sprung up over the past few years. I think it originally cost a lot more, as its quite detailed, but may have not sold well, so it found itself on the shelf with a load of other toys, stationery and food.

Travelling In Style

Don't these Theme Days come around quickly. This month's topic is Style.

I saw lots of stylish vehicles yesterday at Wollaton Park. From the beginning of motoring to a sports car of today.

So which one to choose. Well it just had to be this Jaguar from the 1940s. Even the leaping mascot has style.

Lavender's Blue Dilly Dilly

Went off to the motor show at Wollaton Park this afternoon in the sunshine, and of course the clouds made an appearance, but thankfully no rain.

There were lots of cars, buses and other vehicles there, but I was particularly taken with this lovely lavender E-type Jag.

One of the two pieces of paper in the window record the history of the vehicle, while the other is a sales receipt for the car and show how much it costs in total; £4000 in 1973.

Buying a secondhand one today may cost you anywhere between £39,000 and £1/2 million.

Mother's Pride

Gail and I went to Ripley in Derbyshire today to see the new photo studio that a modelling friend of ours has just opened.

You've seen photos of Kelli Smith on here before, and she is having to give up modelling shortly as she is expecting her first child; a little boy that she and her partner Tim are calling Lawson.

Just as I parked my car in a nearby car park, I noticed the flash of a red E Type Jag in the corner of the car park.  So out came my camera and I took a couple of shots.

It was difficult in trying to get a good angle, as there wasn't a lot of space to work in. So I decided to try an aerial view instead, as there was some steps that led to the beer garden of a pub aptly called the Red  Lion.

I must say that Kelli and Tim have done a good job of creating a great photographic space, with many different areas to shoot in; an American diner, a Parisian cafe, a Versace bedroom, a library amongst others. They have nearly finished a shower area for wet shots.

There were quite a number of photographers there when we arrived, including a couple that we knew. So it was good to catch up and see what everyone was doing.

Of course I have to show another photo of Kelli, thai I took at our studio, who's showing of her baby bump. After all it is Mother's Day.

The Cars That Ate Wollaton Park

Today was the day for the annual classic car show at Wollaton Park. When it is advertised, I get quite excited and look forward to wandering around all the cars, vans and buses. Although I have to admit, some of them I have seen many times, but as it was lovely and sunny today, I didn't mind. I had a great time, and came across quite a few vehicles that I hadn't seen before.

I thought this converted 1967 VW Beetle looks like a real life Hot Wheels car. I saw that it was for sale, but didn't enquire how much.

If I did have any spare cash, and lots at that, I would be tempted to go out and get a E Type Jaguar, like this one from 1969. Only six years younger than me, but worth a lot more. Probably £30,000.

If you have less money to play with, you could try this 1972 Ford Capri, which may only cost you about £5000. Made famous of course by being driven by Bodie & Doyle in the TV series the Professionals.

Finally of course, if you have a leaning towards pre-war vehicles, you might like to hunt out an old van like this Austin from the mid 1930s. I just thought I would give the picture a little tweaking in Lightroom, to give it that old look.