Miscellaneous
M. Bibendum, The Michelin Man
Incredible coincidence, and fine testimony to the popularity of that famous advertising personality, tubby cheerful M. Bibendum, with which Michelin have for so long advertised their excellent tyres (and about whose history Motor Sport had something to say in its issue of March, 1954), he is mentioned in the last two non-motoring books we have been reading. One of these references was quoted last month under the heading “Cars In Books.” The second comes from “The Mist Procession” by Lord Vansittart (Hutchinson, 1958) in which Sir Winston Churchill, with advancing years, is described as reminding the author “of the rotund advertisement that le pneu Michelin boit l’obstacle.”
Miniatures News
The whole point about motor-car miniatures to the enthusiast is that they should represent real makes and consequently it is pleasing to find that all the eight Moco-Lesney miniatures in their Commercial Vehicle Set comply. The vehicles concerned, all most realistic, are a one-ton Trojan Brooke Bond van (No. 47), a London double-decker ‘bus (No. 5), a seven-ton Bedford tipper (No. 40), a 12-cwt. Bedford Dunlop van (No. 25), an E.R.F. Marshall horse-box with slide-up door (No. 35), a Morris J2 pick-up truck (No. 60), an E.R.F. six-wheeler Esso petrol tanker (No. 11) and a Bedford Duple luxury coach (No. 21). These fascinating miniatures can be obtained separately and all are beautifully detailed and of a high standard of finish.
Meccano Ltd., apart from their triumph of having a Dinky model of the Triumph Herald saloon out on the day this advanced new British car was announced, have been exhibiting in their Berkeley Square showroom a Meccano model of the Herald chassis which depicts the leading features of these cars.
The Finals of the National Scalextric Model Car Racing Championships organised by Lines Bros. were run off at Gamages on August 21st. The National Trophy and subsidiary prizes were presented by William Boddy, Editor of Motor Sport.
How High Can You Go?
A motor dealer (in Sunbury) was recently asking £1,750 for a 1929 Bentley landaulette.
Trico Continental Driving Guide
The very popular Continental Driving Guide produced annually by Trico-Folberth Limited, is now available as a handy pocket booklet. Motorists touring abroad should not fail to send for this useful little “travelling companion,” which is available free on mentioning Motor Sport from Trico-Folberth Limited, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex.
October Sprints and Hill-Climbs
The racing, sprinting and hill-climb season is rapidly drawing to a close but a number of events will take place during October. A popular Hill Climb venue is Harleyford Manor, near Marlow, Bucks. This is a fairly shallow climb which can be designated a sprint as well as a hill-climb although it is far from straight.
On October 4th the North London E.C.C., Herts County A. & Triumph Sports O.C., and Allard O.C. join forces to run a sprint at Harleyford. Proceedings commence at 2 p.m. On October 11th the Jaguar D.C. London and Home Counties branch are also organising an event at Harleyford. This time it is called a Hill-Climb, and will start at 2 p.m. On the same day at Stapleford, near Abridge, Essex, the West Essex C.C. will be running a speed hill-climb commencing at 2.30 p.m.
At Harleyford on October 25th the Singer O.C., Chiltern Oxford M.C. and Southsea M.C. are organising a speed hill-climb starting at 2 p.m. Details from E. P. Ellis, 23, Elmers Drive, Teddington, Middlesex. The S.E. Centre of the B.A.R.C. will be at Firle, near Lewes, for a hill-climb on October 4th at 2.30 p.m.