THE fabulous fashions and muscle motors of the 1950s were back as hundreds turned out to enjoy the first Swindon Rod n Custom Car Meet of the year.

Dozens of classic cars from the decade rocked up to the car park of the Ridge bar in Shaw for a socially-distanced celebration of lockdown easing.

Swingout Swindon danced while Josie and the Outlaw provided a rockabilly background.

Members of the custom car group Helen Mansell and Gavin Taulbut were delighted fellow enthusiasts were able to get back together after months of restrictions. She said: "Gavin and I couldn’t take our 1959 Vauxhall Victor to put on show because it was in the garage, but we will take it to the next one.

“A lot of people in lockdown were fixing cars up so we have lots of new people joining and everybody is really passionate about cars.”

Helen, from Covingham, added: “If you have anything that needs sorting with your car there is always someone in the know. When people see all the cars it turns people’s heads but it’s still a good look around even if you don’t have a car.”

“The cars are just incredible and beautiful. Some are just so old it’s great someone has revived them and the music and dancing all go with the era.”

People travelled from all over to enjoy the long-awaited 1940s and 50s inspired event. Swingout Swindon encouraged people to dance in their couples and organised a special routine so people on their own could still join in.

Swindon Rod n Customs started nine years ago, hosting car meets and cruises for classic and vintage cars fans.

Started by Michael and Diane Nash and Ade Morse, it meets every second Thursday of the month. It also has a breakfast meet-up at the Tawny Owl pub on Thamesdown Drive every first and third Sunday of the month.

Michael told the Adver: “It has really helped us as a group to have these meet-ups and we like getting together so it’s been getting busier with the release of more freedom.

He added: “We get to travel all over and go to different places, we bring the crowd in and it’s wonderful.”

Events organiser for The Ridge Justin Britchford said: “It was absolutely amazing with a great turn out with our systems working well. It was great to have live music and socially distanced dancing.”

“We’re really lucky to have so much outdoor space here. The Rod n Customs are a great bunch of guys, but it’s not just about the group turning up, families can enjoy it because it’s a free event. We can manage it safely in a secure environment.”