On Saturday, 7th September, RADwood UK transported car enthusiasts to the golden era of automotive culture, celebrating the best of the 1980s and 90s at the Chatham Historic Dockyard. The event showcased a spectacular array of vehicles, from the iconic Ferrari F40 LM and Lamborghini Diablo to the modified motors of the Max Power Reunion, all set against the backdrop of historic naval vessels like the HMS Ocelot submarine and the HMS Gannet.
The venue buzzed with retro flair as attendees donned vibrant outfits ranging from zebra-patterned trousers and shell suits to Ghostbusters uniforms. The Show’n’Shine competition highlighted some of the era’s finest examples, with judges Paul Cowland, Ciro Ciampi, and Joe Ward evaluating an impressive lineup of cars.
Highlights of the Show
The prestigious RADdest Car of the Show award was claimed by Andrew Tidy’s BMW E21 3 Series. Tidy’s passion project started with a £50 rescue from the scrapyard and culminated in a stunning rebuild featuring a 500bhp Chevrolet V8 engine and a pristine blue finish. Tidy expressed his gratitude, stating, “Winning RADdest Car of the Show means the world. A lot of time and effort went into building a car like this which is built not bought.”
The Best 90s Hatch award went to a vibrant Peugeot 106 GTi, a quintessential Max Power-era car with bright orange paint, a booming sound system, and an extravagant bodykit. In contrast, the Best 90s Sports award was secured by Hussain Sarwar’s BMW 8 Series, notable for its wide bodykit and engine swap from a BMW Z8. Mark Lane’s Ford Granada, with its immaculate velour interior and powerful engine, earned the Best 80s Saloon or Estate award.
Luke Blackshire’s Nissan Stagea RS4S took home the Best 90s Saloon or Estate trophy, while Ariel Jaskiewicz’s BMW E30 M3 was named Best 80s Sports Car. The Best 80s Hot Hatch award, crafted from an original Sega Mega Drive cartridge, was presented to a black Porsche 928S, a unique choice for the category.
The event featured a wide array of notable vehicles, including a purple TVR, a brown Saab 900 with original decals, and several fast Fords like the Escort RS, Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth, and Capri 280 Brooklands. Iconic models like the Lamborghini Countach, Lotus Esprit, Porsche 911, and the wedge-shaped Aston Martin Lagonda were also on display, showcasing the era’s diverse automotive landscape.
Mark Roper, Managing Director for Hagerty International, praised RADwood’s unique approach: “RADwood is unique in the way it celebrates both the cars and the culture of the 80s and 90s. Hagerty’s Festival of the Unexceptional already celebrates the mundane motors of these decades, and RADwood brings a new audience to classic car culture, demonstrating how these events can be fun, immersive, and engaging for all the family.”
RADwood UK successfully captured the spirit of its namesake era, blending exceptional cars with nostalgic flair to create a memorable experience for all who attended.
Source: Hagerty International
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