Thanks for your replies and comments which all seem to follow a similar pattern.
I think what has happened is the emphasis has changed from the original classic (ie 40 years old) to the 1993 cut off date currently used. As we all know we could argue the "classic" point until ISIS take over the world and never agree but I definitely agree with Old Fart on the classic car with modern mechanicals not fitting the spirit of the competition. IMHO the classic date for both body and major mechanical components should be 1980, but making agreed allowances for hard to source or excessively expensive parts.
We did look at running in the Bambina this year but despite the fact that we live in the area so accommodation costs would have been negligible it would still have been a nearly $10K exercise.
But I do agree with everyone that it has been an awful lot of fun to have been part of.
Allan