THOUSANDS of classic motoring fans are set to descend on Ipswich and Felixstowe for the annual Historic Vehicle Run next weekend.

THOUSANDS of classic motoring fans are set to descend on Ipswich and Felixstowe for the annual Historic Vehicle Run next weekend.

This year will see the 39th staging of the event, which is run by the Ipswich Transport Museum in partnership with Ipswich Buses, and will see around 550 vehicles and more than 20,000 spectators in attendance.

Organising Committee member Peter Bannister is very proud of the continued success of the run, and is delighted with the expected turnout for the event on Sunday May 3.

He said: “We are very happy with the number of people we are able to attract. With the park, promenade, and then the people lining the route, it really is a great spectacle, especially if it is a nice day.

“There is nothing quite like this event in the East of England. Having done it successfully for so long we have built up a big following. Our unique atmosphere is really hard to come by.”

The oldest vehicle to be taking part this year is a Leon Bollee car which was built in 1897, and is joined by a classic Cadillac from 1904. Also present will be a Foden steam lorry from 1913.

As well as cars, the run will include around 100 motorcycles, 40 military vehicles, 30 commercial vehicles, and 20 buses.

With a large amount of the vehicles on display being kept hidden away in garages for most of the year, Mr Bannister believes these cars need to be seen by the public a lot more.

He said: “Many of these vehicles rarely see the light of day, so this is a great opportunity for people to catch a glimpse of them. Having cars from all ages means that it's possible to chart the advances motoring has made through the years, just by watching our run.

“A lot of people quite like the newer cars because it reminds them of when they were growing up.”

The Mayor of Ipswich will inspect the vehicles at Christchurch Park, before they depart for Felixstowe at around 11.30am.

From there they will travel along Westerfield Road, Colchester Road, Bixley Road, and Heath Road out of Ipswich, with the first vehicles expected to arrive on the promenade at Felixstowe at around 12.15pm.

Anyone requiring additional information should contact the Ipswich Transport Museum on 01473 715666.

n. Are you a fan of the vehicle run? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk