Happy Birthday, VMCC

The 40th birthday luncheon and tea at the “Jolly Farmer”, Puttenharn, near the Hog’s Back, on April 28th, of the Vintage MCC. included a well supported afternoon run. Among those present was Maurice Walker, who rode to the first gathering in 1946 on his 347 cc Sunbeam and did so again, from Saffron Walden and back, on the same machine, in 1986. After tea Founder “Titch” Allen. BEM, presented special badges to the other Founder Members and said that when the Club was started they never expected to reach a membership higher than 500, now it approaches 6,000. A message of congratulation from HM The Queen, from Buckingham Palace, was read out, to great applause, thought to be the only time a motorcycle club has been so honoured. The day carefully chosen as the only one of the Spring. closed with many happy memories. such as when a passer-by saw the old machines assembled at the first Hog’s Back Meet, asked what was afoot, and was told by a lady to pay C1 and join (she was of course. Mrs Allen) but he would (in those days) need a pet 93f bike. As his was a 1931 model he went out the next day and. for £2. acquired an older one . That was when as someone else remembered, such machines were priced at a-pound-a-wheel, or £4 if a sidecar was attached, The first lunch. at Pirnms restaurant. was also remembered. with Jimmy Simpson and other famous riders present. A happy birthday; and MOTOR SPORT wishes as much success in the future as in the past, to the VMCC. — W.B.

Veteran-to-Classic Miscellany. — The Pre War A7 Club has its Autokarna at Wollaton Park. Nottingham. on May 31st open to Austins from 1922 to Big Sevens up to 1939. In connection with the recent widespread Spitfire fighter celebrations, comes a tale from the Yorkshire Post of Cpl Darkie Hanson who posted to Acklington. Northumberland. gave the Station fire-crew 10..150p) to keep his PA MG in the firestation and the fire-engine outside until the CO spotted this unusual arrangement . . . The cutting was sent to us by Bill Fryer, who was with HWM in the late 1950s. Those who like models should note that the Border Counties Annual Model Spectacular embracing cars as well as aeroplanes and boats, takes place at Eastnor Castle. Ledbury. on August 9thl0th. The Lea Francis DC has its rally with ils Concours d’Elegance at Stamford Hall. on June 1st. The S. Lincs Preservation Society has a parade from the dueling Barford works to Wyndham Park on June 28th. On June 25th the Beamish Reliability Run is due to follow a 140-mile route, taking in some 1920s trials hills from the North of England Open Air Museum at Stanley. Co Durham starting from there at 10 am and returning by 3 prn. Open to 58014 cars, details from Frank Atkinson on 0207-231811. In our reference to early use of overhead camshafts and four-valves-per-cylinder. in the article on the 100 hp lsotta Fraschini in the April issue. It should perhaps have been said that Louis Coatalen used the latter, with push-rod operation. on the racing Sunbeam “Nautilus” in 1910 and an overhead camshaft for his racing Sunbeam “Toodles II” by 1911. In conjunction with two inclined valves per cylinder. The Mercedes-Benz Club has its Centenary of the Car Celebrations at the NMM. Beaulieu. on June 130,1 5th, and there is lobe a Celebration of the 1960s at Beaulieu Inn June 13th, at the NMM. Reverting to the VSCC Light Car Welsh Weekend reported last month, in the Beaded-Edge Section Peter Livesey’s 1922 Amilcar was best in the driving-tests and Geoff Winder’s 1923 A7 won the trial. while, of the Edwardian, Alan Tedder’s 1911 12 18 hp Riley was best in the tests and Hickling’s 1917 Dodge in the trial. The Bentley DC has many and varied attractions to celebrate its Golden Jubilee Week, based at Buxton, from July 1s1 to the 5th. In the Silverstone Paddock al the April VSCC races we admired a Calthorpe light-car which looked as if it had just left the showroom. As has long been the way with many of the more interesting cars, those you most wish to see do not appear and at this meeting the 1942.’46 Type 73C 1,,-litre supercharged twin-cam Bugatti entered by Robert Heelis for Harvey-Bailey to drive retained its programme distinction of never having been raced. Hopefully it will run in the special Bugatti race at this month’s VSCC Silver. stone Meeting on June 28th and meanwhile there is another Type 73C in the Donington Museum. — W.B