The Type 116 – the VX220 – has a very active Facebook group with a core group of hardy souls. They are always out and about or looking after their steads. It was this group that headed to Ettington. More specifically – Caffeine & Machine – last weekend, to sample the coffee and see what else turned up. We were not disappointed.
Caffeine & Machine..
There are a few rules at Caffeine & Machine – ‘Don’t be a Dick’ being chief among them. This covers a multitude of sins – deliberately. Rules notwithstanding, the 27th had been earmarked for a trip to the Cotswolds with the first stop being said Caffeine & Machine.
The more enlightened among you will have realised that the 27th was Mothers’ Day so the first thing to negotiate was a free pass – not always an easy thing. But, by hook or by crook seven of us managed to make it. The detail of the deals forged I cannot begin to contemplate. Maybe by bringing the kids or promising goodness-knows-what. For me it was easy – in my case my Mum is no longer with us.
How many versions can there be..
The range of cars and changes never ceases to amaze me. Although the Type 116 started out as a fairly limited range – NA, Turbo, VXR – in the years since its demise and the ‘Triggers Broom’ nature of its existence means very few are similar. Even within just seven cars there two Turbos, two hard tops (one factory fitted with all the trimmings, and one aftermarket), two different reds, a yellow and a silver. All different- standard wheels, OZ wheel upgrade, exhaust upgrade etc. Apparently, there are 800 still registered in the UK, but I’m not sure where they are.
Whilst Saturday had been fine and warm Sunday had dawned with mist and a drop in temperature. It had me wishing that adding the T7 heater had already been done. Other than that, it was all good with some familiar faces – I’m looking at you Craig and the long-standing joke about ‘biscuit’ interiors. No, I’m not sure I get it either. Anyway, the plan was to head out for a Cotswolds drive then to the pub for lunch- all organised by Mani (thank you).
Then we were trumped..
But at C&M you can never get too secure in having the most interesting car. Whilst seven VX220s parked up is indeed a rare sight we were soon trumped by a bevy of GT3s, a rather special Ferrari 308, a rather nice Alpine A110, a 458 and a McLaren. Then, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better a step-side truck heralded the arrival of four drag racers who were never going to be topped!
The coffee was great, the food looked good and some interesting machinery turned up. In short, a great little sojourn for those of us not tied up with Mother’s Day. All worked well so the trip worked as a shakedown run ahead of Goodwood later in the year. Well worth the trip but remember to book when it’s busy.