HORNS honked and engines revved to receive bumper-to-bumper crowds at Stow Motor Show.

Hundreds of motoring enthusiasts and families thronged to the first event on Stow’s Queen Victoria II cricket field.

They were treated to some 200 gleaming vehicles – from pre-1940 vintage and classic cars to modern supercars and bikes, agricultural, military and commercial vehicles.

“A diverse range of amazing vehicles slowly built up until midday when Stoig – Stow’s version of Top Gear’s The Stig – arrived in the mayoral Rolls Royce to cut our opening tape,” said committee member and Stow Mayor Ben Eddolls.

“We started early under a blazing sun as many volunteer marshals and helpers prepared for show cars and the public.

"The local Donnington beer, cider and wines were hastily prepared in the Pitstop bar, the smell of crackling and cooking bacon wafted across from the pig roast as exhibitors and trade stands filtered in. Shouts of ‘Oh look – there’s a McLaren’ and ‘Is that an old David Brown tractor?’ rang out.

“One highlight was a fly-past by 12 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The sun shone all day on a perfect Cotswold scene, which ran on into the evening with local band Roughcut Ruby on stage as children played and families picnicked.”

Support poured in for a silent auction, raffle and donation buckets.

Car parking raised £1,130. Fundraising was for Kate’s Home Nursing, North Cotswolds Disabled Club and Sam Pilcher Trust. The final total is yet to be announced.

Will Brittain-Jones and dad Charles, who started collecting in 1981, showed Second World War military vehicles from Todenham.

A white Half-Track, used for ferrying troops, sported a menacing 50 calibre machine gun and two 30 calibre guns, standing beside a Willys Jeep and GMC dump truck.

Other famous wheels belonged to proud owner Percy Hudson.

He had built a replica of the car used in film ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ – a burgundy 1961 Ferrari California - from a kit. “I’d done a ‘test’ kit build for something more exotic for my wife in 1987,” he revealed.

“This car is what I was practising for when we finally had more money. We use it regularly and if you park up anywhere everyone comes to take pictures.”

Bob and Sheila Boswell go shopping and tow a trailer tent with their distinctive 1951 Chevrolet panel van, customised with modern red and white wheels. Sunburnt to a dark green, the van still bears it’s former American owners’ tradename ‘Buffinton Florist, Fall River, Mass.’

George Long had driven his 1956 Fergusson 35 tractor to the show from Upper Rissington.

He’d been on tractors for 30 years. He was just as proud of his small workhorse as Peter Rixon, from Stow, was of his 2000 Morgan Plus 8. The British car was the Geneva Show car in the same year.

Other attractions included a parade ring; children’s funfair rides, go-karts, archery, motoring and general trade stands including Cheltenham and Cotswold Advanced Motorcyclists, catering and refreshment outlets.

Stow Fire Service, which seeks more volunteers, also mounted a demonstration.