CARS from days gone by took to the Magic Roundabout early this morning in a stunning celebration of Swindon’s motoring heritage.

Crowds of onlookers made the early morning trip to the town centre to watch makes and models spanning 60 years, many rarely seen on the roads today.

The showcase was organised to coincide with the 175th anniversary of the birth of Swindon’s new town along with the sixtieth anniversary of MINI Plant Swindon.

All of the vehicles involved in the procession had their panels pressed at the plant, formerly known as Pressed Steel, at some point in its history.

For some, it was not only an opportunity to see some great looking cars, but also to take a trip down memory lane in a more personal sense.

Graham Furze, 63, of Old Town, worked at the plant for over 46 years originally starting as an apprentice.

He said: “It’s just fantastic, it really shows some of the heritage of the British motor car.

“We made so many different products there over the years, it’s great to see them all like this.

“I’ve been looking out for some of the particular cars I worked on.”

Graham wasn’t the only former BMW worker who had come to reminisce about old times.

Valerie Sanders, 66, from Shrivenham, worked at the plant as the company linguist until 2004.

“I used to liaise between Swindon and Germany when BMW first came to the town.

“It’s fantastic to be here, it’s amazing to see all this.

“I love the Minis and I learnt to drive in a Triumph, it’s just wonderful – I’m blown away.”

Among the many cars on display were Minis, Rovers, Triumphs, even a Rolls-Royce.

As each line went past you could hear the excited exclamations from onlookers as they recognised models they used to own but now hardly ever see.

Each person had their own favourite but for Mick McGuire, 64, of Highworth, the black MG Magnet with its shining chrome wheels just couldn’t be beaten.

Snapping pictures as it came past, Mick said: “Look at it, isn’t it fantastic?

“I got here at 5am, I’m relishing it – it’s never going to happen again you know.

“Just stood here reminiscing like this, it’s great that they’ve done it.”

Getting the choreography right to was no easy task but with the help of a team of marshals, a megaphone and a few dozen blasts of the horn, the cars managed to wind and weave their way around in style.

James Roebuck, 59, of Stratton, said: “It’s like gridlock but in a good way – bet that’s something nobody has ever said before.

“It was well worth the trip out to see this, when are you going to see all these cars out in one place like this again.”

After parading around the roundabout, the cars made their way under police escort to the Steam museum – bringing Swindon’s motoring and railway history together in one place in a fitting tribute to the town in its 175th year.