Revival gets started way before you arrive

Mainly because cars of the period 1948-1966 (and a little give and take either side) aren't confined to West Sussex forward-parking fields, and neither are their period-dressed occupants. Have car, will travel, and so, every year, I find the party gets started on the A3, as soon as you leave the M25. Or, the M27 if you're coming that way, or the A27, if you're coming that way. You get the point.

And so, as ever, my top 10 cars on the A3 this year. Extra marks for what I could see of period-costume dressed occupants as I overtook, and a gold star for those actually on the hard shoulder of the A3, at such an early stage in proceedings.

Triumph TR6 Injection

Sir, you are to be applauded on your badly fitting roof which you were making your female passenger hold down at 60mph.

Mercedes 280SE Automatic

Concours condition, beautiful cream paint, a touch of elegance south of Guildford.

Ford Cortina Super estate

Not one of my all-time favourites, but carrying four adults in splendid period costume: gloves, hats, veils, pearls, and that was just the men.

Porsche 930 HotRod

Amazing condition, lime green paintwork with matching chequered seats and, as I snuck in behind to follow for a bit, a 1974 Le Mans sticker in the back window.

BMW 1600

One of my very favourite cars of all time. So lovely to see one in mint condition, speeding along. Jealous. Very jealous.

Bristol 405

Wouldn't have noticed it, but for a recent trip to see Bristol on the launch of the Bullet. Bless all Bristol owners: 70 per cent of all Bristols are still on the road today.

Rover 95

Another touch of true British blood. Great condition, great pair of bright red braces on the gentleman driver.

Alfa Romeo GT1600 Junior

Great-looking car and two blokes barely out of puberty at the wheel, in flat caps, already having a laugh even though it was 7.25am when I spotted them.

Lotus Elan Sprint

Yeah, attitude. She knew she looked good. And she did. Excellent to see a woman at the wheel of anything classic.

Audi 100 GL Automatic

OK, so this is a cheat because I saw it just outside Goodwood but special hats-off mention for a truly wonderful car in truly wonderful condition. Perfect example of German executive elegance and engineering.

Triumph photography by Bull-doser via Creative Commons
Mercedes-Benz photography by IFCAR via Creative Commons
Ford photography by Eddaido via Creative Commons
Alfa Romeo photography by nkhon100 via Creative Commons
Lotus photography by Barry Lewis via Creative Commons