Welcome to Torbay Old Wheels Club
Thank you for visiting Torbay Old Wheels Club, and welcome to our informative website which has plenty of classic vehicles to view. We aim to encourage the preservation and use of historic vehicles of all types and ages by sharing our interest in a varied and friendly environment.

Riviera Classic Car Show
Following last year’s very successful Riviera Classic Car Show with a great range of vehicles on Paignton Green right beside the sea, we are delighted to announce that this year’s show will be at the same venue on SUNDAY 26th JULY.In 2025 pedestrian visitors and entrants alike could see entries ranging from a 1933 Lanchester A10 to a 2024 self built Morgan 3 Wheeler, Mustangs, Morrises, Mercedes, MGs, Mazdas, Morgans and a Mercury Grand Marquess not to forget the Torbay Mods with their Vespas & Lambrettas and so many more besides. Something for everyone!
About the Club
We are an active group based in Torbay, Devon. Torbay Old Wheels Club was founded in 1992 by a small group of friends interested in preserving and using older vehicles. In 2019 we were voted one of the Top Ten UK classic car clubs by readers of Practical Classics magazine. We have a popular Facebook page here and members can also chat together on their own private page. Club meetings are usually held at 7.15pm on the last Thursday of the month.



Member's Car of the Month
Phil ChineryWe have a 1977 Triumph 2500s finished in Honeysuckle White. We have owned the car for five years and she is affectionately called Primrose. Our previous car was a Riley 4/72 which we enjoyed for several years until we felt that we needed a more modern classic.The Triumph 2500s was all original and in quite good condition when we bought it. We have had to do a little bit of mechanical and body work on it including having the bumpers rechromed.It has the same six cylinder engine as the TR6 except that it has twin SU carburettors instead of petrol injection. The dashboard of the 2500s has a polished wood veneer finish and is distinguished by the inclusion of a tachometer and speedometer directly in front of the driver. It has lightly tinted windows known as sun dimmed glass which was fitted to more expensive Triumph cars at the time. It has cast alloy wheels and an automatic gearbox.The car is maintained in good condition, kept in a garage and only comes out for shows.
Name that Car
Mouse over the images for the answers. Keep checking back as the pictures will be changed at intervals.Picture quiz kindly supplied by Adrian Gridley.

Citroen Dane 6 Comfort

Ford Model C 10hp 1935

Auto Union 1000

Austin A40 Farina 1966

Simca 1301 Special

Hurtan Grand Albaycin
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Jul 2026 | Powderham Show | Powderham Historic Gathering |
| 12 Jul 2026 | Powderham Show | Powderham Historic Gathering |
| 18 Jul 2026 | Show/Rally | Honiton Lions |
| 23 Jul 2026 | Paignton Green Show Marshall Preparation | 7.15pm Newton Abbot British Legion upstairs. Park free after 6pm Cricketfield Rd car park |
| 26 Jul 2026 | Riviera Car Show | English Riviera Classic Car Show Paignton Green |
| 26 Jul 2026 | Show/Rally | Totnes Country Show |
| 30 Jul 2026 | Club Social CANCELLED | Next Club Social end of August. |
| 31 Jul 2026 | Torbay Steam Fair | Churston Ferrers, Brixham |
| 8 Aug 2026 | Show/Rally | Manaton Fair |
| 8 Aug 2026 | South Hams VMC | Sorely Cross - Pre1998 vehicles only |
| 9 Aug 2026 | Show/Rally | Exmouth MM and Anglia 105E show |
| 14 Aug 2026 | Show/Rally | Stithians WESES |
| 14 Aug 2026 | P4 Drivers Guild | Buckfastleigh |
| 20 Aug 2026 | Show/Rally | Chagford |
| 27 Aug 2026 | Club Social & Local History Talk by Richard Farrow | 7.15pm Newton Abbot British Legion upstairs. Park free after 6pm Cricketfield Rd car park |
| 31 Aug 2026 | Show/Rally | Aveton Gifford |
| 30 Aug 2026 | Show/Rally | Chanters Carnival Classics, Ottery St. Mary |
| 31 Aug 2026 | Show/Rally | Lustleigh Village Show |
| 31 Aug 2026 | Show/Rally | Plymtree Country Fair, Cullompton |
| 7 Sep 2026 | Show/Rally | Saltram Classic car show, Lyneham House |
| 8 Sep 2026 | Show/Rally | Widdecombe Fair |
| 12 Sep 2026 | Show/Rally | Teign Classics, Newton Abbot |
| 14 Sep 2026 | Show/Rally | Brixham Classic Car Show, Devon Hills |
| 24 Sep 2026 | Club Social Meeting | 7.15pm Esplanade Hotel, Paignton |
| 25 Sep 2026 | McMillan Coffee Morning | Joan & Colin Banks home, Christow, 10am-12.30pm |
| 27 Sep 2026 | Show/Rally | Ladys Mile, Dawlish |
| 11 Oct 2026 | Show | DVCC Autojumble, Buckfastleigh Station |
| 29 Oct 2026 | Club Social Meeting | 7.15pm Esplanade Hotel, Paignton |
| 26 Nov 2026 | Full AGM Meeting | 7.15pm Club Annual General Meeting, Esplanade Hotel, Paignton |
Classic car show awards 2025
This year the Riviera classic car show awards were presented by Pat Sharp who is a radio presenter, television presenter and DJ. He is best known for working on the children's ITV programme Fun House. He has also worked on BBC Radio 1, Capital FM, Heart and Greatest Hits Radio.
TOWC cheque presentations 2025
This year TOWC donated £6000 from their Riviera Classic Car Show to local charities with £2000 going to Rowcroft Hospice, £2000 to Devon Air Ambulance and £2000 to the Carnival local charities. The cheque presentation took place at the club meeting on 23rd October 2025.

The History of the Show
The Torbay Old Wheels Club organises the Riviera Classic Car Show in late July every year on the first Sunday of the Torbay Community Carnival, which lasts for 9 days. The show was first held in 1994 and raises funds for local charities. The total amount raised so far is over £70,000.

For Visitors
The show is open to pedestrian visitors from 10AM to 4:30PM. Gate receipts contribute to the total amount donated to local good causes. Entry is by donation of £3.00 for adults. Accompanied children under 12 are free.
For Exhibitors
Thank you for your interest. The show is now full. If you would like to be kept on a waiting list please contact us. You can also turn up on the day as a possible late entry should there be a space the cost will be £15.
For Traders
The Torbay Old Wheels Club organises just the vehicle display at the show. For all enquiries regarding trade or catering outlets and sponsorship opportunities please contact the Paignton Festival chairman, Mike Bailey.
For the Press
The Riviera Classic Car Show is a major event in the area with many photo opportunities.

Contact Us
If you would like to make contact with us, whether prospective member or press, you can email us at [email protected] or using the form below.
Powderham 2026
A great day at Powderham in the scorching sunshine. All sorts of modern and old cars to drool over and plenty of other vehicles as well, with traction engines, buses, motor cycles, lorries, vans, military vehicles, fire engines and more. I think the most popular vehicle there was the ice cream van. Credit to Harry Kuehling for the photos.
Drive it Day 2026
On the Den at Teignmouth, a great turn out with hundreds of cars. The weather was pleasant although a little chilly. Most of TOWC set off from Gallow's Gate.
Riviera Classic Car Show 2025
The 2025 Riviera show was a great success despite the weather turning to showers. There was a new simpler layout on the showground which worked well and the cars got out quickly and safely at the end of the day.
Riviera Classic Car Show 2023
Another great Riviera classic car show this year with record crowds enjoying the cars. The fine weather helped, cloudy at first then turning to warm sunshine.
Drive it Day 2023
It was fine weather most of the day for our 2023 Drive it Day at Buckfastleigh steam railway.
Drive it Day 2022
Drive it Day 2022 took us to Dawlish Lawn which is always a popular spot on the grass by the stream.
Powderham 2019
Powderham is usually the biggest show of the year and the one that everyone looks forward to.
Buckfastleigh 2020
Redcliffe Dinner 2020
The club's annual dinner at the Redcliffe Hotel on the sea front.
Killerton House 2017
Riviera classic car show 2004
And before the Riviera Classic Car Show
The Concours d'Elegance took place on Paignton green and promenade for many years before the Riviera Classic Car Show. Here are a few rare pictures from 1967.
Privacy Notice
1: Scope of this Privacy Notice
Torbay Old Wheels Club ("the club") maintains this website to provide information about the club to members, and anyone else interested in historic vehicles.This privacy notice sets out how the club uses and protects any information that you provide to us and what happens to any personal data that you give to us. This may be provided electronically, by mail or by phone.From time to time, the club may make changes to this privacy notice by updating this page. This may be in order to comply with changes in the law or to update our own privacy practices. We recommend that you check this privacy notice for updates whenever you visit our website.Visitors to our website are deemed to have accepted this policy by continuing to use this site.
2: What personal information might we process?
The club does not proactively collect or store any personal information about visitors to the website, apart from IP addresses and visitor counts. Data that you provide to us in order to engage with the club is the only personal information we process and this is handled in compliance with Data Protection legislation and the 2018 GDPR.This data may include full name(s), email and/or postal address, telephone numbers and vehicle details (make, model, year, registration number). Occasionally we might ask if you would participate in feedback surveys to help us improve our events.
3: How do we use your personal data?
The club uses personal data to enable us to contact members on club affairs, contact event applicants regarding ticketing and operation, regulate valid entry to club events and improve our operations.Please note: photographs of your vehicle at our events, which may include the registration plate, may be used in media reporting, publicity or posted online. This includes use in promoting the club within the classic car community and our local area.No other personal details are shared outside of the club unless we are legally obliged to do so. Your data is not transferred to anywhere outside of the UK by the club.We are not responsible for any data that may be collected by external websites to which we offer links.
4: How and when can you withdraw your consent?
We are relying upon your consent to process personal data to manage your participation in club events. If you wish to discuss our Data Protection policy, please contact us.
5: Retention of your personal information
Personal data may be retained on file for a period of up to 8 years after your last interaction with the club. Photographs may be retained indefinitely in the club history archive.









































































































































