Austin Ulster memories

Sir,

Reading Mr. L. Seyd’s letter brings back pleasant memories.

I owned four Ulster Austin Sevens. Two of these cars were the short-bonnet type and two the long-bonnet Ulsters, one unblown. Competing with the Vernon Balls car at Ballybannon Hill Climb I won three second prizes. Later, at Craigantlet Hill Climb, owing to clutch trouble, the engine was damaged beyond repair.

The other short-bonnet car was the ex-Harry Ferguson car, with which I broke the record at Red Brae Hill Climb in 1931 at 54.54 m.p.h.

The remaining two cars were a blown Ulster and an unblown Ulster, both of which I used for private transport.

I was very sorry to hear in Mr. D. Ghandi’s letter of the death of Major J. D. Barnes. I regret that there was an error in the initials of Mr. Jones. I remember the MG “Cream Cracker” team, run by Maurice Toulmin, against whom I competed at Craigantlet Hill Climb and made a better time, with my 1935 TT Balilla Fiat.

Referring to the Hodge Singer, I lent the back axle of my 1934 Le Mans Singer to Mr. Hodge to compete in the Ulster TT Race as his own had become U/S the night before the event.

Some day I hope to acquire an unblown Austin Seven to put beside my 1903 Darracq.

I look forward to reading MOTOR SPORT each month.

Newtownabbey.
W. M. D. Montgomery.
N. Ireland.