Letters from readers, April 1943

Sir,

Having read my January Motor Sport with great interest, I feel obliged to reply to one or two things.

First, I think the first Brighton run was in 1928, not 1929, as stated in “Rumblings”. Incidentally, whilst on the subject of veteran machinery, it is obvious that F/O. Anderson hasn’t had much experience with Edwardians. My 1909 Minerva, admittedly of 6.25-litres capacity, can out-perform most modern “twelves”. Although as yet there has been no chance to obtain performance figures, I believe that 70 m.p.h. is within easy reach. Morgan’s 1910 Leon-Bollee landaulette (28 h.p.) has done 45 m.p.h., and not just for a brief moment either. This car, although not even started for many years, covered 30 miles it a rousing speed and up long gradients. Petrol consumption averaged 15 m.p.g., and not one stop was needed. The body of this car is immaculate, and one could use it, quite sensibly, on an everyday car.

Turning to other matters, Mr. Metcalfe states that Boddy and Capon are “the two hardest-working people at the moment,” a statement with which I am in entire agreement. However, without showering praise on myself, I consider the Enthusiasts’ Car Club is doing a grand job of work, but, because it mainly confines itself to the north, it gets little publicity in the weeklies.

I think, however, that we can claim to be the only club to hold regular meetings at the present time, and (apart from the J.C.C.) to publish a bulletin.

It seems to me that London enthusiasts only go to meetings if they can go by car. It speaks well for enthusiasm up here that, bearing in mind the extremely poor transport facilities in the north as compared with London, enthusiasts come distances of 40 miles or so.

I am not claiming a free advertisement for the E.C.C., but we only started in April, 1942, and we now have 90 members, which, I think, speaks for itself. Keep up the good work with Motor Sport.

I am, Yours etc.,

David L. Gandhi, Hon. Sec., E.C.C.

Stockport, Cheshire.