On 7th September 2024, RADwood UK brought the best of 1980s and 90s automotive culture to the historic setting of Chatham Dockyard. Hundreds of cars, ranging from flamboyant Max Power creations to iconic supercars, gathered to celebrate an unforgettable era for car enthusiasts. With star cars such as the Ferrari F40 LM and Lamborghini Countach on display, the event was a blend of mechanical artistry and nostalgic flair.
The picturesque dockyard, home to historic naval vessels like HMS Ocelot and HMS Gannet, provided a striking contrast to the vibrant automotive displays. Visitors embraced the RADwood spirit with period-appropriate fashion, sporting shell-suits, zebra-patterned trousers, and Ghostbusters costumes, all set to the soundtrack of 80s and 90s music.
A Spectacle of Iconic Cars and Outlandish Custom Creations
A major highlight of the event was the Show’n’Shine competition, judged by automotive experts Paul Cowland, Ciro Ciampi, and Joe Ward. The top prize, RADdest Car of the Show, was awarded to a BMW E21 3 Series that had undergone a complete transformation from scrapheap candidate to drag strip star. Owner Andrew Tidy saved the car for £50 and spent four years painstakingly restoring it in his garage, equipping it with a 500bhp Chevrolet V8 engine. The car’s immaculate condition, vibrant blue paintwork, and attention to detail made it a standout.
“Winning RADdest Car of the Show means the world,” said Tidy. “This car is built, not bought, and to have all the hard work recognised by the judges is an incredible honour.”
Equally stunning was the winner of Best 90s Hatch, a Peugeot 106 GTi that epitomised the bold styling of the Max Power era with its bright orange paintwork, oversized body kit, and booming audio system. Its juxtaposition next to the HMS Gannet underscored the diversity of the cars on display.
The award for Best 90s Sports Car went to Hussain Sarwar’s modified BMW 8 Series, complete with a wide body kit and an engine swapped from a BMW Z8, showcasing both performance and aesthetic flair. Mark Lane’s Ford Granada, a sleeper car with a high-powered engine hidden beneath its otherwise original exterior, won Best 80s Saloon or Estate.
Celebrating RADwood’s Unique Spirit
Visitors were treated to a diverse mix of cars, from fast Fords, including an Escort RS and Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth, to exotic supercars like the Lamborghini Diablo, Porsche 959, and Aston Martin Lagonda. Each vehicle reflected the spirit of individuality that defined 80s and 90s automotive culture.
In keeping with the event’s retro theme, trophies were crafted from original Sega Mega Drive cartridges, a fitting tribute to the technology and pop culture of the time. One such trophy, the Best 80s Hot Hatch, was awarded to a black Porsche 928S—a car that, though not typically classified as a hot hatch, still captured the essence of 80s performance cars.
Mark Roper, Managing Director of Hagerty International, noted the appeal of RADwood’s distinctive format: “RADwood is unique in the way it celebrates both the cars and the culture of the 80s and 90s. Events like this and Hagerty’s Festival of the Unexceptional draw new audiences into classic car culture, making it engaging and fun for all.”
An Immersive Experience of Automotive Nostalgia
Beyond the competition, attendees explored a wide range of vehicles that represented the best—and quirkiest—of the 80s and 90s. Whether it was a TVR, a Saab 900, or the iconic wedge-shaped Aston Martin Lagonda, each car told its own story of automotive history. The event’s vibrant energy, combined with the enthusiasm of participants, reaffirmed RADwood as a key fixture in the classic car calendar, offering a fresh, immersive experience that bridges car culture and pop culture.
As the event concluded, it was clear that RADwood UK had once again succeeded in capturing the essence of an unforgettable era, allowing both enthusiasts and families to revel in the cars, fashion, and music that defined the 80s and 90s.
