As anyone who lives in the UK, has visited the UK, or even heard of the UK, changeable weather is an almost constant source of discussion and the biggest threat to anyone organising an outdoor event, regardless of the time of year.

After the scorcher of last year many were looking forward to something slightly cooler but after the 35°c heatwave a few weeks prior the possibility of an even warmer day loomed. Luckily the temperatures subsided to the seasonal average but the run up to the show was pretty damp. Weather apps alternated between rain and overcast and only a fool would have put money on a dry day.

When Sunday arrived the eponymous sun did too, although slinking between clouds with increasing regularity ruined any chance of consistent skies in my photos. Not a drop of rain until the journey home though, so luck was on our side there.

A lot of WRC stickered Focuses look convincing from a distance but as soon as you can see the interior they are immediately identified as wrapped road cars.

This example isn’t the real thing but it took some examination to determine it wasn’t. The tell-tale signs? Drilled holes in the front bumper, the smaller door mirrors, black door handles but the big givaway was the real (Dutch) number plate stashed in the boot.

Previous Fairs have yielded a single Racing Puma, but this year it was joined by three more. With dwindling numbers it’s good to see these being preserved and starting to get recognised as a modern classic.

Having a Minichamps (I think) 1:18 model of a Focus RS in matching colour is cool, but one with the exact same mods as your real car is next level attention to detail. Check out all the underbonnet tweaks. 

The only thing missing from the model is a 1:324 Focus on its own dashboard…

We’ll see more of this awesome Focus RS later, but for now here’s a close up of some amazing custom produced turbofans fitted to the front wheels. They must look pretty trippy when the car’s moving, with that green quadrant crash-test-car pattern.

The arches are a bit special too - WRC style with that 3/4 coverage and large pressure reducing cutaway.

Most photos of the Mustang don’t really convey how huge they are in real life. They really are quite hefty beasts.

This one sported a supercharger and some 70s style slatted window covers along with the always great looking (to my eyes at least) black and yellow colourway.

Quite a rare sight these days even at shows, and practically extinct on day-to-day roads, these two examples sported period correct mods for a timeless look. Back in the late 90s these would have blended in at such a large show but the rarity amongst a sea of Focuses made them stand out.

The Mustang doesn’t look quite so big when compared to the Americana of the 1960s. This Galaxie was just one of a handful of older, imported cars. Despite being a show for all Fords, this kind of thing is very much a minority.

Parked right on the edge of the circuit behind a building, the owner of this Focus is either terrified of door dings, or didn’t want any attention. If the latter was his or her plan then it didn’t work!

I’m not sure if these are painted, dipped or something else but regardless of the method it’s not really a great look. If you’re drawing attention to your callipers it should be for a good reason, 6 pot APs for example. Standard ones are best left a discreet grey or black I think.

This van was quite unique looking with the wide overfenders and matte paint/wrap. I’d imagine the parts are custom made or at least adapted, as there can’t really be a market for Mk5/6 Escort bits these days.

A great method for exposure for your business is to have something a bit nutty to drive around in. This Transit was decked out like an old US fighter plane with the nose art and riveted panels.

Given that it must require drilling the bonnet, I wonder if this light pod was fitted recently or back in the day when an Escort Cosworth bonnet was not worth a small fortune. With hindsight I should have given it a quick tap to check if it was perhaps a carbon or fibreglass replica.

The Mk1 Focus RS is rapidly approaching modern classic status, or maybe even it’s there already? This concourse example was absolutely flawless.

The attention to detail extended to the sidewall writing on the tyres aligning perfectly so that when the wheel was rotated with the centre cap level and the top spoke vertical, the Michelin logo was at the top of the tyre. 

Meguiars have had this Crown Victoria for a number of years now. It certainly sticks out compared to the modified modern Fords on competitor’s stands.

With such a rich catalogue of Ford powerplants to choose from, cross-brand engine swaps have never been much of a thing in the Ford scene. Aside from the odd LS transplant and a few Escort Mk1/2 with the Vauxhall red tops it’s quite unusual to see.

I’m no expert but I believe this is a Lexus branded Toyota UZ of some variant.