A rainy day did not discourage 500 plus Italian car owners.

Story and photos by Gary Axon

In a bid to attract more visitors to its picturesque Beaulieu location post Covid-19 pandemic, the UK’s National Motor Museum successfully introduced its now popular themed ‘Simply’ vehicle gatherings a few years ago, with around a dozen of these well-attended Simply events held during the 2025 season.

Crowd pleasing Alfas at Valletta.

Story and photos by Gary Axon

Considering its overall population of just 550,000 inhabitants, the diminutive but beautiful Mediterranean island of Malta has a surprisingly large number of older and interesting cars. Every year in early June since 2017 (excluding the Covid period), many of the proud local owners and restorers of these classic vehicles gather next to the Maltese Parliament building at St. George’s Square in the historic capital city of Valletta for the annual Valletta International Concours (VIC).

Modern Fiat 124 Spider Abarths were popular.

Story and photos by Gary Axon

The gridlock traffic and the sight of a stricken and steaming Pantera pushed to the side of the road to cool off in the log jam leading to the historic Brooklands Museum near Weybridge, Surrey could only mean one thing. The traffic chaos caused by the now traditional first Saturday in May annual Italian Car Day being held at Brooklands suggested it was going to be an exceptionally busy event at the significant banked ex-motor racing circuit, the oldest in the world.