Tax Emancipation Rally

For obvious reasons the new Road Fund licence rates which came into force this year are the cause of considerable rejoicing amongst the members of the 20 Ghost Club, Mercedes-Benz Club, Les Hommes à l’Hispano and the owners of Isotta-Fraschinis.

The party started at 11.30 a.m. at Laytons in Duke Street where a little wine was consumed at the invitation of Les Hommes à l’Hispano. After lunch a move was made to the Richmond Hill Hotel.

Both at Laytons and at Richmond much interest was caused by the perfect Isotta-Fraschini tourer, lately the property of Mr. Ellis of Leeds. The 20 Ghost Club was represented by two Ghosts and a number of beautifully kept models both ancient and modern of this silent machine.

“Les Hommes ” brought two vintage tourers, (one of which has appeared in some films and the other which was once the property of Count Zborowski); Mr. Fraser’s beautiful 9-1/2-litre V12 coupé, a ” Barcelona ” saloon and the President’s mammoth white two-seater, reputedly the largest two-seater in the country.

A number of Mercedes-Benz were present but only two of them were of the real grand sport  type, Lea Kennard’s smart cream SSK and a white tourer of a slightly different model which bore a strong facial resemblance to General Goering in his pyjamas. (The owner seemed to have spent the money saved in tax on subscriptions to every club in the country). However, there were many hands ready to push when his starter failed at Richmond

It was a grand day much enjoyed by all who turned up, my own great disappointment being that in fact so few people and motor cars arrived, particularly of the larger sizes. I had expected to see dozens of gigantic machines but unfortunately only about ten or fifteen arrived.

A last point—there was a Jensen in cream and chrome trying hard to be a Mercedes or a Benz—an ” interloper ” perhaps.— M.S.

[Some further comments on this Rally appear on page 71 = web page 25. —ED.]