V-E-V Miscellany, January 1959, January 1959

It is believed that a small Chenard-Walcker saloon lies derelict in a garage in Essex and that a Windsor and two Talbot light cars are possibly due to be “pensioned off” by an elderly owner in the West Country.  There is also a 1923 10/23 Talbot two-seater reported to lie in Wales.  This one has scarcely been run since before the war and might change hands in the region of £200.

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Our recent Armstrong Siddeley history has brought news of a big saloon of this make, possibly a 1928/29 Thirty, in a breaker’s yard at Edenbridge, where a big Minerva saloon keeps it company.  Both are probably restorable.

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Two American vintage cars, a 1929 Chevrolet and a 1924 Dodge tourer, have come to light in garages in Wales and there is a model-T cabriolet under a tarpaulin behind a café in Hampshire.  Letters can be forwarded.

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A reader tells us of a vintage Austin Heavy Twelve in a sports-ground in London which looks as though it could be easily restored by anyone interested.

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A Star, of about 1926 vintage, was seen recently ouside a London railway station.  Could it be derelict?

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An owner who has looked after a 1923 1,000 c.c. Harley-Davidson motor-cycle as if it were a child, for the past twelve years, now wishes to find a good home for it.  The bicycle is in London.  Letters can be forwarded.

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The Trojan Owners’ Club  announces its 1959 fixtures as the A.G.M. rally along the Pilgrams’ Way and film show on either Jan 31st or March 21st,  a rally to the Montagu Motor Museum on May 31st, a rally near Manchester with a possible visit to the Leyland works in August, and a West Country trial on October 18th.

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When the Turin Motor Museum  is officially opened early in 1960 in its fine new building, it is expected that a big rally of vintage cars will go out from England.

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The Amilcar Register can now  supply head gaskets for Grand Sport and Surbaisse Amilcars, made from their own tool, for 10s each plus postage, to non-members if need be.  Apply to J.D. Lockwood, 73, Harewood Road, Chelsford, Essex.

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Mr. Philip Mann, whose  supercharged VW is referred to elsewhere in this issue, is painstakingly restoring a 1909 single-cylinder Sizaire-Nandin, which was originally discovered in Ireland.  Mr. Mann has even found a handbook for it.

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The Montagu Motor Museum  recent acquisitions include a 1903 10 h.p. Thorneycroft, a 1908 20 h.p. Lanchester, a 1922 Castle Three three-wheeler, a 1928 Hyper Sports Lea-Francis, a 1928 Alvis and a Mk. XVI Spitfire aircraft.  By the end of November, 113,000 people had visited the museum, which remains open all the winter.  Lord Brabazon will open the new building officially on April 5th.

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The S.T.D. Register London Social, at which will be presented the Inter-Register-Trophy won this year by the S.T.D. Register, will be held on January 10th.  Tickets are available from the Hon. Registrar, Mrs. W. Boddy, Carmel, Wood Lane, Fleet, Hampshire, price 27s 6d each.  The Bull Nose Morris Club is invited this time and this year will compete with the Alvis 12/50 Register, Fiat Register and S.T.D. Register for the Inter-Register Trophy. 

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If anyone is in need of a back axle for an Erskine Six, we know of one, said to be in good condition, with wooden wheels less rims, for sale in Sussex for 30s.  Letters can be forwarded. 

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We hear that a Gibbons cyclecar, one of those queer little vehicles of which some illustrations appeared in Motor Sport  last May, has been found in Lincolnshire, somewhat carved about but restorable.

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A reader offers a 1930 Swift Ten fabric two-seater with useless crown-wheel and pinion (spares are available) free to anyone who cares to remove it from its resting place in Surrey.  Letters can be forwarded.

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The old Wolseley taxi  referred to recently as still being for hire in Bedford is a 1922 15.9 h.p. overhead camshaft model which the driver has owned since 1928.  The car is apparently completely original and will be sold next year on the owner’s retirement.