V-E-V miscellany, September 1971, September 1971
At this year’s Royal Welsh Show the exhibition of pre-war motor vehicles, organised by the Rhayader & Dist. MC & LCC, had the merit of sensible protection of the vehicles, which were displayed in a marquee, roped off and properly guarded.
The Judges were R. Fernie, D. Woodman and W. Boddy, and they awarded the highest accolade to J. Thomas’ 1909 AlIdays & Onions. The sole veteran was a 1901 Progress Voiturette from Llandrindod Wells. The vintage class was won by Geoff. Probert’s 1928 MuIliner-bodied Austin 12/4 two-seater, the post-vintage class by Graham Probert’s 1934 Talbot 75 sun-roof saloon, although a 1933 Rolls-Royce P2 Park Ward Continental Sedanca de Ville ran it close. Specially commended was G. Phillips’ 1937 Vauxhall Tickford Salmon drophead, in average-regularly-used condition after 115,000 miles.
Of the vintage motorcycles, a 1923 Raleigh from Rhayader was judged the best but a 1928 Brough-Superior “Grand Alpine” 998-c.c. solo was specially commended. Several of the exhibits by R. R. Worthing, including Model-T Fords and a 14/40 Vauxhall Princetown tourer were not judged, as their owner wished others to have a chance! The show ranged from a 1918 Austin farm tractor to a Speed Six Bentley chassis. The Weybridge Museum, Church Street, Weybridge, Surrey, can supply a set of three black-and-white reproductions of original postcards depicting scenes at Brooklands between 1907 and 1914 for 10 1/2p post free, or 2 1/2p each to callers. They also have some views of the 1929 BARC Autumn Meeting, which they will supply for 50p per whole plate, 30p per half-plate photograph, also post free.
It is pleasing that J. Box of the Jowett CC has built a replica of J. J. Hall’s 1928 12-hour record flat-twin Jowett. Rumour suggests that a pre-war GP Peugeot stands in a barn on flat tyres, somewhere in America, this being additional to the Peugeots of Rothwell and Briggs Cunningham. Don’t all emigrate at once! George Symonds, of R-type MG and GN Spider memory, has returned to this country from Africa and Kay Petre is back here from Canada. One of-the most exciting discoveries of recent times has been that of a 1902 9 1/4-litre Paris-Vienna Mors, probably the car driven in that race by Fournier, which went to America in 1903, was discovered there last year languishing in a barn, and is now being restored, it is hoped for next year’s veteran events (see picture above). The owner is anxious to learn more of the car’s early history, and its correct colour, etc.
The well-known Leyland clock on Shap Fell is to be removed, although the reason isn’t apparent and the lady who winds it has offered to go on doing so “for love”, if it’s a case of another BLMC economy. This famous landmark was erected in 1927, together with four others in different parts of the country. Three remain but all are likely to disappear soon.
Remembering the great Rolls-Royce Company Goodwood parade of 1967, the R-REC and BDC is reviving something of the old glamour with its “Mini-Goodwood” at Englefield House, near Theale, Berks., on September 19th, starting at 11 a.m. Cars will be arranged in model-groups, and simple driving tests will be held. Admission will be by sticker only, costing 50p per entrant, £1 per spectator and tender car. Details from Lt.-Col. Barrass, Lincroft, Montacute Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Englefield House, where red deer roam, is not normally open to the public but W. Benyon, MP, has permitted it on this occasion, proceeds to go to the local Norman Church Fund.