MEMORIES came flooding back for hundreds of families as they wandered along Felixstowe's prom admiring the cars and buses of yesteryear."Oh, dad had one of these," or "Do you remember grandad taking us on holiday in one like this" could be heard all along the seafront as the crowds inspected the vintage and veteran vehicles lined up by the sea.

MEMORIES came flooding back for hundreds of families as they wandered along Felixstowe's prom admiring the cars and buses of yesteryear.

"Oh, dad had one of these," or "Do you remember grandad taking us on holiday in one like this" could be heard all along the seafront as the crowds inspected the vintage and veteran vehicles lined up by the sea.

Just two years ago the Ipswich-Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Run was threatened with closure, but since then it has grown and grown.

This year's – the 32nd – was the longest yet with 500 vehicles taking part and the organisers having to turn away dozens who wanted to enter.

The line of cars, buses, motorcycles, military vehicles, lorries and vans stretched from Beach Road East to Tacon Road, nearly two miles.

The overcast afternoon with a strong wind and occasional showers kept the crowds down slightly, but organisers still estimated that more than 15,000 people turned up to see the parade, organised by Ipswich Transport Museum and sponsored by the Galloway Travel Group.

Rally director Colin Norfolk said the day had gone really well and had been full of nostalgia with a friendly atmosphere.

Entrants had come from all across southern England and everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the road run and meeting up for the rally.

The cars left Ipswich's Christchurch Park at midday to head for the seaside, and people lined the streets in Ipswich and Felixstowe to see them go past, with their route then taking them on the old A45 and through the Trimleys.

Vehicles included two steam cars – one from 1904 and a Stanley from America, built 1922 – and a number of three wheelers, including the unusual Kettenkrab motorcycle-car cross used by the German army as a towing vehicle.

Cars have to be at least 30 years old, and so there were many family favourites from the 1960s, including Ford Cortinas, an early Ford Escort, Triumph Heralds and VW Beetles, as well as Rolls Royces, and assorted sports cars.

Two special local vehicles were one from Ipswich sports car manufacturer Trident and Felixstowe furnisher Bloomfield's oldest delivery van.

Historic vehicle road run class winners:

Robin Mason Memorial Award: 1939 SS Jaguar, entered by Peter Pearson, from Great Horkesley.

Cars to 1920: 1913 Sunbeam 12/16 Tourer, entered by Graham South, from Thurston.

Cars 1921-30: 1923 Vauxhall 14/40 Tourer, entered by Arthur Best, from Ipswich.

Cars 1931-34: 1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Landaulette, entered by Harry Sunderland, from Norwich.

Cars 1935-39: 1936 Rover 12hp, entered by I.R. Fogle, from Woolpit.

Cars 1940-55: 1951 Bristol 401, entered by Brian Shulver, from Dovercourt.

Cars 1956-60: 1960 Ford Prefect, entered by Bart Keaney, from Hepworth.

Cars 1961-65: 1962 Riley, entered by M. Percival, from Stanway.

Cars 1966-72: 1966 Ford Cortina Mk I 1500GT, entered by Steve Williams, from Ilford.

Commercials 1921-39: 1930 Austin 7, entered by Mike Brand, from Great Totham.

Commercials 1940-72: 1950 Bedford O, entered by Bloomfield's Removals of Felixstowe.

Buses and coaches: 1961 AEC Routemaster, entered by G. Burtenshaw, from London.

Military vehicles: 1967 Land Rover SWB, entered by Alan Holmes, from Maldon.

Motorcycles to 1930: 1929 Sunbeam 8, entered by Cecil Bell, from Brantham.

Motorcycles 1931-39: 1934 Norton Whitworth 500 Special, entered by C. Kerridge, from Finningham.

Motorcycles 1940-55: 1954 AJS 16MS with sidecar, entered by George Ablitt, from Stratford St Mary.

Motorcycles 1956-72: 1961 Ducati Elite 200cc, entered by Andy Abram, from Levington.

N See tomorrow's Evening Star for our Ipswich-Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Run picture special.