OVER a thousand classic car fans flocked to Winchester Auto Barn on Saturday for its first Breakfast Club of the new season.

Petrol heads travelled from as far as Nottingham and London as over 600 cars converged on the garage on the A30 near Sutton Scotney.

Italian and German exotica, E-type Jaguars and Caterham 7s rubbed shoulders with US ‘muscle cars’, hand-built rarities, pre-war gems and Aston Martins.

“The breakfast kicked off at 9am and the car parks were full 15 minutes later with people queuing down the road to get in,” said owner Niall Holden. “That’s when my jaw dropped. My next worry was that we might run out of bacon butties.”

The Winchester Auto Barn’s 1964 vintage Citroen HY Van cafe - dubbed Jacques Custard - worked overtime, churning out hundreds of beverages, 250 sausage sandwiches and 400 bacon rolls.

“I had no idea what to expect as I’d never been before,” said Mike Leflay. “There were some great cars and a great bunch of people in such a perfect sunny countryside setting.”

As well as classic car events, the Winchester Auto Barn and Drivers’ Club offers routine services and MOTs on all modern cars, and is an Independent Service Agent for Mercedes-Benz.

Future Breakfast Clubs will be held on May 25, August 17 and September 21 at the usual time of 9am-12Noon.

On Saturday, July 13 the garage will stage Winchester Auto Fest, a family charity car and live music evening (4pm-10.30pm) with a hog roast, and wine and cheese tasting.

Proceeds will be in aid of nearby Naomi House Children’s Hospice.