UP to 50 classic car owners are revving up for one of the highlights of the North-East motoring calendar - the Morgan Car Club Meeting at Beamish Museum.

For fans of the sleek curves, spoked wheels and the throaty roar of a V8 engine, this Sunday's gathering promises to set pulses racing.

Beamish Valley will reverberate to the sound of hand-made British classics being driven by what one local Morgan expert described as people with "an odd tile missing from the roof".

John Macdonald, of Macdonald Racing, Lanchester, the North's leader in Morgan sales, described an archetypal Morgan fan.

"They tend to be somebody who drives for pleasure, rather than to get somewhere. They are often bearded and like their real ale, and have the odd tile missing off the roof.

"By this I mean it's not unusual to see a guy driving a Morgan in the middle of winter with the roof down and a smile on his face."

Founded in 1909 by a Worcestershire rector's son called HFS Morgan, his one-time bus making business has grown into one of the most respected British motoring manufacturers.

Originally concentrating on powerful, cheap three-wheelers, the Malvern-made marvels quickly reached a breakneck top speed of 55mph.

Concentrating on the four-wheeled variety since the early 1950s, they've hit the 21st Century at full-throttle.

Their latest model, the Aero 8, will be on show at Beamish.

It's a 160mph, 286bhp, 4.4 litre brute, that like all its predecessors, hides a thrilling performance under a beautiful body.

Mr Macdonald, who is backing the meeting, said: "These cars have spoke wheels, long flowing wings and a spare wheel on the back - all the things that turn you on if you like that sort of thing.

"We are expecting this event to be the biggest we've had in the 20 years it's been running at Beamish."

The meeting is from 10am to 5pm. Enthusiasts will see Morgans on display and in action.