Glasgow
Glasgow Green & The Monte Carlo Rally
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The UK start to the world famous Monte Carlo Classic Car Rally has taken place at Paisley in recent years, but back in 2013, Glasgow Green hosted the event with around 100 cars taking part, the models ranging from Triumph Heralds to Porches. On Saturday 26 January, simultaneous starts were also made from Barcelona, Reims and Copenhagen and although I`ve no idea what the weather was like on mainland Europe it was a perfect day here with clear blue skies for most of the time.
Thousands of spectators turned out to wave off the competitors on the first stage of their 2,000 mile-long journey. Glasgow had previously served as one of the starting venues for the Rally from 1949 until 1973 and it was good to see such fantastic support from the city on its return. Not all the cars were going to Monte Carlo though, as many local classic car enthusiasts turned out to show off their vehicles while escorting the main group part of the way.
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Photographers were very much in evidence - both outside and inside the cars.
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Please bear in mind that my images are copyright. They are not free to use and have been embedded with a digital watermark.
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Many of the vehicles, like the one above, had at least one stowaway!
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Fluffy-dice - essential equipment for an epic journey in a classic car!
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"This is great - you do all the driving and I`ll adjust the mirrors."
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"Any mair farting and you`ll be going aw the way
tae Monte Carlo oan the roof jist like yer wee pal." |
"It`s actually no too bad up here - at first he was
wantin` tae use me tae bung up a hole in the exhaust!" |
"Whit way is it tae Monte Carlo again? Is it left ur right wance we get ontae the Saltmarket?"
"Ah`ve no got a clue - Ah thought you knew. We`ll need tae ask somebody wance we get oot ay here!"
"Aw naw - noo ye`ve let rip - that`s pure hummin` by the way! This trip is goany be a total nightmare!"
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Queen Victoria, atop the Dalton Fountain, was obviously not amused by the chaotic scenes below!
"Sorry, Ah`m no really sure where Monte Carlo is fae here. Ah know it`s oot past Govan. Jist follow that car in front then the rest will tag oan behind!"
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"A toilet roll comes in handy - have ye seen the state o` they French lavvies?"
"Hi dear. Mummy. We`ve just sussed out the competition and unfortunately we`ve no chance of winning the race. I`ve definitely got the best hat though!"
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" Wow! That`s a pure stoatin` hat missus - a real belter! If we get stuck in
the snow maybe you could gie me a wee shot tae keep ma heid warm?"
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Many more additional images relating to the Monte Carlo Classic Rally, both at Glasgow and Paisley, can be found in my Stock Photography Archive.
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Above: No.177 - a comparatively rare Holden 48/215 from Down Under. Another Holden, a Commodore, (below left) followed on behind. The Skoda 130RS (below right) was among the first batch to set off. Note the Australian Support Team in the background, complete with inflatable kangaroo!
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