THE CITY centre became a pitstop for all motor enthusiasts and families at the weekend when the British Motor Show took over the area with various exquisite cars.

Visitors to the British Motor Show at the Salisbury Market Place and Guildhall Square on Sunday, June 18, were greeted by an array of classic cars, sports cars, and those cars which had been lovingly and painstakingly restored to their former glory.  

Lawrie Smith, 80, was exhibiting his Liberia 1901 vehicle.  

He said: “I have spent at least 40 hours a week for 3 years working on the car. It’s not quite finished and I didn’t do all the paint restoration myself or rebuild the wheels. This will probably be the last one I restore.”

Lawrie admitted that it had been a real labour of love. 

Guest presenters Olympian Iwan Thomas MBE and YouTube sensation Sam Hard from the Hard-Up Garage kept the momentum going throughout with music interspersed as families wandered around the event.

Salisbury Journal: Motorshow and Lawrie Smith

The atmosphere took little time to build with families enjoying the facilities on offer.

Sporting Bears were on site to raise money for children’s charities by offering rides to people in their luxury cars for donations.

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Chief Executive of Automotion Events, Andy Entwistle said: “The noise out there already, and it’s just opened. I live locally and have a lot of love for the city and we wanted to give something back because the city has had a pretty hard time."

A mini version of the main show, the event had been designed to engage families as well as to enthral car enthusiasts across the region. There was something for everyone. The event was not just for fun. There was an opportunity for people to donate to Sporting Bears who raise funds for children's charities and to be driven in one of the great cars on show.

Andy said: “Last year, Sporting Bears raised just under £2,500 but this year raised nearly £5,000.”