Spitfire display by Paul Stoby.
Hundreds of spectators were treated to a marvellous spectacle on Cowes Parade at the conclusion of the Cowes Classics Regatta 2025 – the flagship event of the Royal London Yacht Club – as classic cars of all vintages graced the waterfront and classic yachts from several eras were moored on the Trinity Landing for all to see and inspect.
The highlight of the afternoon was an aerobatic display from a Second World War Spitfire commanded expertly by Paul Stoby, a former RAF, Red Arrow, Phantom and Harrier Pilot, that thundered over Cowes, performing loop-the-loops and fast runs along the Parade that delighted and stopped the crowds at the spectacle. The Spitfire was delivered to 315 (Polish) Squadron RAF Northolt in 1941 and was shot down in May 1943. The 10 minutes of high octane aeronautics was a fitting conclusion to an afternoon of fun and interest, very much in the Corinthian spirit of Cowes Classics Regatta, a highlight of the Cowes yachting scene.
Classics Day 2025 at The Parade, Cowes
On display along the Parade were some simply stunning classic cars that included the likes of a Triumph Spitfire Mk 2, an Austin Healey 3000 Mk3, a Daimler SP250, a Jensen Mk 2 FF Interceptor, a Porsche 964, a Morgan 4/4, a Jaguar E-Type and a Humber Hawk Mk V1 amongst many more contemporary marques including Bentley, Mercedes, BMW, Land Rover, Rolls Royce, MG, Fiat, TVR, Aston Martin and Alfa Romeo models.
Younger (and older) members of the crowd thoroughly enjoyed the sight of the remarkable Chitty Chitty Bang Bang that is in Concours d’Elegance conditions and a real delight at any classic car display.
Spectators were invited to vote in The People’s Choice award which was awarded to Jonathan Brain’s1955 Sunbeam Alpine that was prepared for the 1955 Rallye des Alpes. Runner-up in The People’s Awards was the MG TD 1952 Red owned by Martin Patto and in third place was the 1971 rossi red Fiat 500 Lusso owned by Jennifer Belford.
The Most Eclectic Entry that went to Land Rover Series 2A SWB 1963 owned by Adam Gordon, which was formerly used by the RAF in Cyprus for its first 15 years.
The Best-in-Show for the classic cars was determined by a team of demanding judges and was awarded to Bob Dench’s Triumph TR3A 1961 black LHD.
The Best-in-Show for the classic cars was awarded to Bob Dench (centre) for his 1961 Triumph TR3A by Brian Howard (Left) and Kim Jeffreys (Right).
Out on the Trinity Landing, a selection of some of the finest classic motor vessels and yachts was assembled with one of the stand-out highlights being the last known functioning Pinnace 199 used by the Royal Navy that was built in 1911 at Samuel White's yard in Cowes. Steam Pinnace 199 is the only surviving example of over 786 steam pinnaces built for the Royal Navy between 1888 and 1929.
Other yachts on display included the Motor Gun Boat 81 that was commissioned in 1942 and saw action off Guernsey and the Hook of Holland during the Second World War. After restoration in 2009, MGB 81 is the only operational ‘MGB’ in the world and was busy taking spectators out for thrilling blasts in the open Solent on Classics Day.
The Concours d’Elegance for the yachts was awarded to ‘Loch Lomond,’ now owned by James Chrismas, a Gentleman’s Classic one off motor launch built in 2008 at Barneville-Carteret, France, by Halvard Mabire, a professional sailor, naval architect and boat builder who designed the launch for his own personal use based the barges of the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Speaking about the spectacle, Commodore of the Royal London Yacht Club, His Honour Peter Ralls K.C. commented: “Classics Day was the perfect spectacle to bring down the curtain on what has been a very special running of Cowes Classics Regatta. It was wonderful to see so many people on the Parade and Trinity Landing enjoying both the classic cars and the yachts. Our thanks go to the owners who so generously came to show their cars and yachts, and we very much look forward to welcoming everyone back next year. It really is the highlight of the club’s activities and Classics Day this year was truly something very memorable.”
Magnus Wheatley
