Club News, October 1947

We Hear
B. H. Banes reports several interesting encounters during a holiday in N. Wales. In Ludlow an early “Twenty” Rolls and a well-kept Trojan tourer, later another, badge-bearing Trojan tourer, in Wales itself, a fine 18-h.p. Star in Portmadoc, an early 8.3-h.p. Renault 2-seater in Aberson and a “10/23” Talbot in Bangor. Home again, a Lloyd “350” was seen in Ledbury, where a few J.M.B. 3-wheelers have been for sale. The journey was made in Bane’s overhauled Morris Minor accompanied by a friend’s 1933 Riley “12/6” “Mentone” saloon with Armstrong-Siddeley pre-selector gearbox. Another “find” was a very early 2-speed w/c J.A.P. Morgan with wooden chassis and Morris front wheels, able to do 45 m.p.h. in bottom gear round the field in which it is exercised.

In Doncaster a 1910 G.W.K. is reported to be for disposal, while a 12-h.p. 1921 Wilton was recently offered by a garage for £45, in excellent order and well-shod, but with something amiss in its backaxle. At the same place there is an early “40/50” Rolls-Royce. Spares for “12/22” Lea-Francis and 14 h.p. Minerva are known about, if that will help anyone. G. A. Smith has decided to rebuild his “14/40” Delage. Ronnie Malcolm, who used to race a flat-twin A.B.C. car at Brooklands in the early nineteen-twenties is now at White Waltham with West London Air Services. E. J. Newton, the well-known H.R.G. driver, is said to be lightening and tuning a modern Riley chassis for future competition events. John Lloyd, in conjunction with Nevil Lloyd, has acquired a 1912-13 Baby Peugeot which he proposes to rebuild, having had something to do with the sprucing-up of another of these cars, owned by his friend, Kent Karslake. Laurence Pomeroy has his immaculate “Prince Henry ” Vauxhall on the road again and has been getting some excellent motoring out of it. Bernard Coulter reminds us that in the Tate Gallery there is a magnificent statuette of a puma by Rembrandt Bugatti, brother of the late Ettore Bugatti.

Yet another Gwynne Eight has come to light, in the form of Leonard Taylor’s very perfect example. In the September issue of the Fortune Magazine appeared an article entitled “American Speedway Still Fascinates Thousands but Most Experts Prefer the More Diversified Challenges of European Road Racing,” which, if it’s a bit of a mouthful, at least expresses absolutely the right sentiment.

K. J. Clark has acquired a six-cylinder T-head Mercédès of about 40 h.p., with l.t. ignition, of about 1908 vintage and wonders if anyone can tell him more about it. The chassis No. is 7387, engine No. 10162. Raymond Way Motors Ltd. have experienced such an increase of business that they have acquired the Lion Service Station in Kilburn High Road, where they are going to open premises for the repair and servicing of all types of cars. Petrol, oil and accessories will be available from this new service station by day and night.

Vintage aeroplanes in the form of Penrose’s Westland “Widgeon,” Butlin’s Miles “Martlet” and an Avro “Avian” and a veteran in the form of the Shuttleworth Sopwith “Pup” flown by G./Capt. Wheeler, were featured at the Elstree air display. A report appeared in the September issue of The Light ‘Plane. A 12-h.p. Galloway tourer, circa 1927, has been encountered in Aldershot. J. W. Rowley tells us that he apologised for baulking Monkhouse immediately after the first heat of the Ulster Trophy race and was assured that this baulking did not affect Monkhouse’s position in any way, so it seems we were rather harsh in our race report. Rowley, apart from his very fast Bugatti, has a 1923 Helix, basically Crouch, but with light alloy chassis, i.f.s. and Lockheed brakes, mods. made about 1930.

Last month Boddy’s wife presented him with his second daughter, Felicity Aprilia; says he now feels bowed down beneath his heavy family responsibilities!

A 1921 10-h.p. Wolseley exists in good order in Welshpool. Sir Clive Edwards, Bt., remains an enthusiastic veteran car owner, with a 1911 10-h.p. Delage and his early Orleans. E. McMillen, Junr. of Dundonald, Co. ,Down, has a sound 1911 A.C. Sociable 3-wheeler that he would like to exchange for a car of about 1930 vintage. At the R.A.C. Concours d’Elegance in Regents Park, Sydney Allard’s 1947 Allard coupé won the classes for over 20-h.p. cars and over 20-h.p. closed cars. The Fairley, which has done so well in trials recently, is a Ford Ten-engined Austin Seven Special, with i.f.s. Sports models on these lines will be built to special order by James Fairley & Sons, Ltd., of Sheffield and they also plan a very light side-valve 1,100-c.c. single seater for testing their components in races.

Now That Summer’s Here!
In an article in the Sunday Express of August 24th, by Sidney Rodin, entitled “The Things I’ve Done For Britain — By The Sun,” appeared these statements:

. . . never have there been so many old cars-1905 models upwards — among the 1,800,000 on the hot roads. Never in modem times have cars been driven so slowly — the A.A. says 30 m.p.h. was the average summer speed, 45 m.p.h. was road “hoggery.” All we would add is that Mr. Rodin probably ran into a V.C.C. rally; and that the A.A. shouldn’t permit itself to talk lightly of road hoggery in respect of so modest a speed as 45 m.p.h.

Sheffield & Hallamshire M.C.
The Stacey Cup Trial was supported by a select entry of about 20 and included 3 or 4 Allards and a large variety of “Specials.” Due to the dry weather, the hills offered little resistance. Reg. Phillips came to a standstill on Gipsy Lane much to everyone’s surprise, to find however that his distributor lead had come adrift. One of the Special Tests proved a bit tricky for the larger cars and Witham in his V8 Special was the only one to negotiate the acute bends with any degree of success. Seventeen Belgians, members of the Royal Motor Union of Liege, who are over here as guests of our Motor Cycle Section and took part in a highly successful Motor Cycle Scramble the previous day, were distributed as passengers among the competing cars and were most interested to see how their 4-wheeled friends enjoyed themselves. Few could speak English but a good time was had by all.

Stacey Cup: J. Clegg (Ford Ten Special).
1st Class Awards: Peter Witham (VS Special), R. Maltby (Ford Ten Tourer) and F. E. Needham (M.G.).
2nd Class Awards: A. S. Turner (Rover Special), R. G. Holt (M.G.) and A. P. Priestley (Harley Special).
Team Award: Messrs: Needham, Clegg and H. G. Holt.

The R.A.C. Rally
Due to the Crisis the R.A.C. Rally is cancelled.

Praise Indeed!
John Bolster’s “Bloody Mary” certainly went phenomenally well at Brighton — so well, indeed, that it was apparently too much for Mrs. Kay Petre, who, in the following day’s Daily Graphic, had a wonderful account of how a “home-made car, tied together with string,” kept abreast of “Bira’s” Maserati until three-quarters distance.

She then concludes by saying that Bolster’s old car made third fastest time of the day, at 86.8 m.p.h. — praise indeed, but unfortunately far from accurate. And how did that string get past Godfrey and Hudlass, who were serutineering?

Mystery
The car in the “mystery picture” published last month was a supercharged Zoller two-stroke of German origin. The first two post-cards with the correct solution came from R. M. D. MacGregor, of Belfast, and R. S. Marriott, of Chingford. Others to get the right solution were: K. N. Teasdale, H. R. Slater and Lt. Gascoigne, R.N. Amongst the wrong solutions Harold Pratley plumped for the L.E.R.A. other guesses being Roth’s Talbot, the Bentley-Jackson and Manby Colegrave’s M.G. Magnette.

B.D.C.
The Bentley Drivers’ Club announce that its meetings will continue in spite of the Crisis, even if they have to be held in the bars of main-line railway stations. The annual dinner and dance at the Dorchester was put forward to September for the same reason. The September issue of the “Review” is fully up to standard and notes 72 new members. Hon. Sec.: S. Sedgwick, “The Cobb,” Stoke Close, Cobham, Surrey.

500 Club
The August issue of “Iota” contained comments on the 500-c.c. cars at Gransden by Gregor Grant, technical notes, and an article on Power Per Litre by Gordon Jones, together with excellent photographs of representative 500-c.c. Specials. We hope that during the “close” season specifications of all such cars will be given, as the position is getting a thought complex. The annual subscription is £1 1s. and details are available from: The Secretary, Milford House, Lansdown, Bath.

V.M.C.C.
The Vintage Motor-Cycle Club held a very successful rally at the Hog’s Back on September 7th. C. J. H. Day attended all the way from Nottingham on his 1914 Triumph, McNab rode over on his 1914 Rudge Multi and C. Roe Griffin came from Radlett on his 1921 3-h.p. Beardmore Precision with spring frame and contracting brakes. Amongst other interesting machines which attended were a fine 2-speed Scott, a solo vintage Harley-Davidson, a Super-X 4-cylinder combination, an A.B.C., many Brough-Superiors, C. S. Burney’s 680-c.c. Burney and the usual vintage favourites. Humphries was an early arrival on his Humber Forecar.

Bristol M.C. & L.C.C.
In the face of the recent dismal news the Bristol M.C. & L.C.C. is taking a firm stand. Every member has been urged to make a formal protest to his or her M.P. about the abolition of the “basic” ration and by advertisement in the local Press other motorists are being urged to similar action. Then some 10,000 pamphlets are being distributed to garages, service stations and individual motorists, these being in the form of a letter merely requiring a signature before being posted to the individual’s M.P. The Club is also suggesting to the R.A.C. and A.C.U. that clubs throughout the country be organised to take like action. Other clubs please follow this excellent example. Driving tests on October 4th and a half-day car trial on October 25th will take place and the Club is asking advice from the R.A.C. and A.C.U. as to the desirability of holding events in November, as it wishes to run the John Douglas motorcycle trial on November 22nd and a car trial, possibly the “Fedden,” on November 29th. This alive-Club deserves the support of every motorist in its area. Hon. Sec.: E. Storey, 21, St. Oswalds Road; Bristol 6 (Bristol 80529).

Corrections
Wrapped in sackcloth and with ashes adorning his head, the Editor sadly admits that in last month’s issue Mrs. Darbishire’s Riley was referred to by a contributor as the original “White” Riley, which it is not (it is ex-Maclure), and that the Maserati which Heath drove in the handicap race at Ulster was described by him as ex-Hanson when actually it is ex-Hampshire.

Bridgnorth & D.M.C.
This Club is registering a strong protest against the abolition of “basic” petrol rations, and makes the point that, in its area, the majority of the population are engaged in agriculture, with very few hours of leisure, which they will now be forced to spend in isolated homes, instead of visiting friends or places of amusement. Hon. Sec.: N. E. C. Jordan, 40, High Street, Bridgnorth (3177).

Maisdstone & Mid-Kent M.C.
At a successful meeting on September 11th the Maidstone and Mid-Kent Motor Club was revived with a view to renewing activities of a sporting and social nature immediately. At least two events are planned before the cessation of the “basic” ration and it is hoped that interested enthusiasts will contact the Hon. Gen. Sec., R. W. Draycon, 4, Knowle Road, Maidstone, for details.

Cancellations
Due to the Crisis the Southsea M.C. has cancelled its dance scheduled for October 14th, and a trial scheduled for October 26th. The Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s Sleaford speed trial, due on October 5th, is also cancelled.

Lancia M.C.
The new Lancia Motor Club held its first general meeting at Caversham on September 7th and a fine collection of Lancias was present — Dilambda, Austura, Augusta and something like eleven old Lambdas. Entrance fee is £1, which includes the club badge, and the membership fee is £1 10s. a year. R. L. West has been elected President, and J. Jane Chairman, W. A. Richardson, M.C.I.A., acting as Treasurer, while the committee comprises Dr. Smallhorn, G./Capt. Buckle and T. Widdowson. It is hoped to hold the next meeting in London on November 30th. Hon. Sec.: F. G. Barkway, 22 and 24, Queen’s Gate Place Mews, London, S.W.7.

J.C.C.
As from October 1st the annual subscription of the Junior Car Club has been raised to 31s. 6d.

The Council of the Junior Car Club supports wholeheartedly the efforts of the Joint Standing Committee of the R.A.C., A.A. and R.S.A.C. to secure the continuation of the “basic” petrol ration for British motorists. The Club has sent a telegram of protest to every individual member of the House of Commons and urges all its members to protest to their M.P.s. S.U.N.B.A.C. are taking the same line.

Hants & Berks M.C.
The Night Trial, which struck such an original note last winter, has been cancelled, but a Point-to-Point contest will take its place. This is open to the V.S.C.C., 750 Club, and Harrow C.C., besides the organising Club, and starts from the “Venture” restaurant, Basingstoke By-Pass, at 2.30 p.m., on October 5th. The course is about 80 miles in length and is said to suit any type of car. Entries close on October 1st, to H. Birkett, 3, Pondtail Road, Fleet, Hampshire, and no entry forms are needed, nor do entrants pay the 2s. 6d. fee until they arrive at the start. Teas can be booked in advance. If there is not too great an entry, late entries may be accepted at the start, fee 5s. Competitors are urged to bring Sheet 169, One-inch Ordnance map, new popular edition, and they and their passengers gum-boots and other element-excluding devices.

How to Protest
If you do not know the private address of your M.P. address him “The Member for ——,” House of Commons, London, S.W.1. We have written twice to our man, without, so far, the courtesy of a reply. But do not let that deter you — the more protests the greater the prospects of being allowed to motor — providing you agree to be taxed at 25s. per h.p. and 9d. per gallon of petrol.

Further Cancellations
The R.A.C. has cancelled the Veteran Run to Brighton and its series of Experts’ Trials. Individual clubs may, of course, hold Experts’ events of their own.