V-C Miscellany, February 1996

Aston Martin people must have been delighted with the first edition of the new AM publication and the fine colour photograph of Neil Murray in “Green Pea” on a typical hilly road; they now have a very fine picture of two Le Mans Astons at the Chateau d’Or during the last French tour, on the cover of the AM Club’s own magazine. The Club Secretary is Jim Whyman, 1A High Street, Sutton, nr Ely, Cambs CB6 2RB (Tel: 01353 777353).

The Golden Jubilee of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club will be celebrated from July 26/28, with rallies, runs, socials, and displays covering the history of the Club, which now has more than 12,500 members, and 100 years of the motorcycle. There will also be other events in the week following, for those coming long distances to attend. Details from the Secretary, Mrs Ann Davy, VMCC Office, Allen House, Wetmore Road, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs DE14 1TR (Tel: 01283 540557).

Another air-cooled Rover Eight has been discovered, the Registrar tells us, after having been off the road since about 1930.

It is possible that the Napier that is in the Brooklands Museum may be one of the cars used for S F Edge’s historic 24-hour run at Brooklands that year, because it was shipped out to Buenos Aires shortly afterwards for the brother of Frank Newton, who drove one of the two backup cars to Edge’s on that occasion. Has anyone anything to add?

A recent enquiry about George Weldon, who conducted the City of Birmingham Orchestra and the Halle in Manchester, has shown that he did, in fact, drive an Atlanta at the 1937 Lewes speed-trials. I should have known this as I was there with the blue works HRG.

James Fack would like to know more about the 1926 Darracq which A Broadley drove in the 1934 JCC Brooklands Rally, and which got its picture in MOTOR SPORT. It is a long time ago, but someone may know.

The MG-B Register of the MGCC will have a Cotswold Rally from Sudeley Castle, near Winchcombe, with morning and afternoon runs to and from this venue, on March 31. Details from Bill Herring, 41 Boumehill Avenue, Bushey, Watford, Herts. (Tel: 0181 950 5758). Entry £100 includes road book and Castle visit.

Ian Glass says that his Marauder OUG 777, having completed three Circuit of Ireland Rallies, a Monte Carlo Challenge and three LE JOGS, winning a blue riband on everyone, and also a four-day run to the Stelvio and back, has earned retirement from rallying! The Marauder Register’s 1996 Reunion is to be held on May 18.

A reader reminds me that a forgotten painting by F Gordon Crosby, done for Dunlop’s of a party watching racing at Brooklands while picnicking by their Rolls Royce saloon, sold at a Brooks’ auction for £15,000. The R-R has discs over its wheels and is shod, obviously, with Dunlop tyres. If anyone is still in doubt about how to fit new replica herringbone-tread Dunlop tyres, in this painting the “arrows” point backwards.

The Editor of Safety Fast is seeking the whereabouts of the MG T-type driven by J E Patrick in the Bristol AC MC’s first post-war tarmac sprint meeting held in 1945, if anyone knows of its present owner ship. W B