Bristol M.C. & L.C.C. Veteran and Edwardian Rally and Trial

The event for pre-1917 cars organised by the Bristol M.C. & L.C.C. on July 16th was one of the best veteran fixtures yet, for, besides the usual rally, ending at Welch’s garage, where refreshments were generously laid on, a road trial followed, veterans covering 36 miles and Edwardian cars 56 miles. These routes embraced some quite rough and steep by-roads, where cottagers waved to the competitors, for all the world as though we were back in the 1900s, while the observed hills were mostly very long main-road climbs, trying even to modern cars, yet for the most part effectively vanquished by the entire entry. Spectators lined the route thickly and the Bristol police could not have been more helpful. Unfortunately, thundery rain did its best to damp proceedings at times. Twenty-three veterans and 30 Edwardians were entered, and at Failand, a very long hill, Hunt’s 1902 Century appeared first, ringing its bell and accompanied by a Bentley as tender. Berry’s 1902 Panhard ascended steadily, Oliver’s 1902 “25/28” Mercédes actually accelerated, but Rowden’s 1898 Star was steaming.

Hutton-Stott came up steadily with full crew in his 1903 Lanchester, but Upton’s 1902 Lanchester, fair passengers in the tonneau, and Estler’s 1903 Siddeley, found the gradient tough. Lawson’s 1904 Tony-Huber, however, climbed rapidly, Carlisle’s 1908 de Dion was very impressive, and Ward’s 1906 Renault made a notable ascent. In contrast Stevens had to walk beside his 1904 de Dion up this and other hills, and Hampton’s 1904 Oldsmobile was overtaken by Phillips’ Adams. Rapid even at the top of the hill were Parsonage’s 1907 Renault, Robertson’s Renault, the Stanleys, and Barton’s 1912 5-litre Napier tourer, the last-named blowing two horns to clear a passage! Parker’s 1910 A.C. Sociable and Pierpont’s 1904 Mors actually elected to change-up, Showell’s tiny 1900 Argyll came up strongly, and Woodin’s passenger stood on the rear of the 1904 Riley, presumably to jump off if necessary. Noticeably quiet were two inexpensive cars-Edgar’s 1913 Morris-Oxford and a model-T Ford tourer, both beautifully restored. An interesting “new” Edwardian was Radford’s 1914 990-c.c. Horstman two-seater, which ascended in a vast smoke cloud. Unfortunately, the lodgekeeper and his wife at Failand were as unpleasant as possible to spectators innocently parked on the grass verge.

The Edwardians continued to Clevedon, going along the sea-front, while the veterans took a shorter, but sinuous route to the tea-stop. Here the single cylinder 1907 Adams “pedals-to-push ” car was having its broken steering wheel lashed up, the Stanley’s boiler was being replenished and Robertson’s Renault was seen to have its Stepney spare wheel in effective employment.

Soon afterwards the A.C. Sociable was encountered on a quiet part of the route motoring sedately at 25 m.p.h., Just as if it were 1913 again! Nearing Bristol, Pensford was a stiff climb, but Rowden’s Star dog-cart, first up, pulled so strongly that bottom speed was only needed near the summit, and Carlisle’s single-cylinder “sports” de Dion was again very impressive – incidentally, there is now quite a cult in “one-lunger” Edwardians-two de Dions, two Rovers, the Adams, a Swift and the A.C.-whereas you expect single-cylinders amongst the veterans! The last hill was lined with keen spectators, who nearly lynched the driver of a modern American saloon who stalled and baulked the Adams, while Oliver’s fast climb in the Mercédes and the effortlessness of Leonard’s Stanley steamer pleased them thoroughly. This was an excellent event, which must be repeated next year. Results: –

Veteran Class:
1st: F. S. Rowden (1898 Star Dog Cart).
2nd: E. S. Berry (1902 Panhard).
3rd: S. E. Sears (1903 Clement-Talbot).
Edwardian Class:
1st: A. W. Showell (1913 Sunbeam).
2nd: C. C. Tufnell (1908 Rover).
3rd: L. E. A. Briggs (1910 Renault).
Special Prize for the Oldest Car to Rally. –
F. S. Rowden (1898 Star).
Reliability Trial:
The Lawson Trophy (for the best Veteran car). –
G. Oliver (1902 Mercédes).
The Bristol M.C. and L.C.C. CUP (for the best Edwardian car). – Tie between J. D. Parsonage (1907 Renault) and E. V. M. Whiteway (1914 Ford).
The Hutton-Stott Cup. – G. Mawer (1904 Oldsmobile).
The Eddie Welch Cup. – E. S. Berry (1902 Panhard).
Special Award for the Best Single-Cylinder Machine. – B. Morgan (1904 de Dion Bouton).
First-Class Awards. – L. M. Austin (1900 de Dion Bouton), H. A. Pierpoint (1904 Mors), F. W. Hutton-Stott (1903 Lanchester), F. H. Parker (1910 A.C.) and Leonard Taylor (1910 Stanley steamer). Second Class Awards. – J. H. Woodin (1004 Riley Tricar), R. Lawson (1904 Tony Huber), W. A. Taylor (1904 Peugeot), Trevor R. Lloyd (1914 Rover), R. J. T. Granger (1910 Stanley steamer), H R.. Timmis (1910 Mercédes).