They may never have captured the public imagination quite like Jaguar E-Types or Aston Martin DB5s, but for a few years in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Suffolk car maker Trident was rubbing shoulders with motoring giants.

Ipswich Star: Trident cars were made at Turret Lane in Ipswich.Trident cars were made at Turret Lane in Ipswich.

This month owners of surviving Trident cars are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the car company’s factory in Turret Lane Ipswich.

It moved to the town after the first cars were made in Woodbridge, and produced an estimated 85 cars between 1966 and 1977.

It is thought that about 55 are still in existence with 19-25 in running order.

Some of these will be back on the roads of Suffolk this weekend for two days of celebrations to mark the anniversary of the opening of the factory in August 1966.

They will be on display at the Westerfield Swan on Saturday between 10am and 4pm, and will then be on show at Helmingham Hall’s Sports Car Festival on Sunday.

Hadleigh couple John and Pat Lansbury have a pair of Trident cars and have helped to organise this weekend’s celebrations of the marque.

Mr Lansbury now owns the Trident Venturer that took part in the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup rally – which will be on show on both days.

He said: “We’ve got somewhere between six and 10 cars coming to the Swan, including one each from Switzerland and Germany. On Sunday we should have 15 cars on show.”

The Swan event is aimed at families, and will have visits from former employees, including Lesley Last – daughter of company boss Bill Last.

His rally car will be on display, although it is not currently licenced to run on roads: “It will be taking its place in the cavalcade at Helmingham, though,” he added.

His second Trident will also be on the back of a trailer. That is to be restored after being bought from storage – it had been mothballed for 39 years.