Miscellany, July 1999

This is the 90th anniversary of the prototype Morgan threewheeler, to be celebrated with Morgan’s Challenger Contest, involving a VSCC race, three VMCC races, a hill-climb at Oliver’s Mount, and a speed trial at Wroughton. That apart, the MTWC has been invited to join the British Festival of Sidecars on October 17 as part of the anniversary year, with TV coverage. Details from John Blower, Windy Ways, Star & Garter Road, Light-wood, Stoke-on-Trent ST3 7HU (01782 311201).

The 37th Austin 7 National Rally at Beaulieu is scheduled for July 4, organised by the 750 MC. There will be some 26 classes, catering for all types of Sevens, and a fine number of trophies. The Rally secretary is Neil Can-Jones, Worth Farm, Little Horsted, Uckfield, E Sussex, 1N22 5TT (01825 750760). Entry forms are ready.

The new curator of the National Motor Museum is Andrea Bishop, who has served with the Natural History Museum, Bristol City Museum and the National Museum of Wales. She succeeds Michael Ware, now a director of the Museum. The Prince Henry Trophy was awarded for 1999 to Lord March, the Brooks Trophy to Sammy Miller, and Beaulieu’s director of Personnel and Training has been awarded the MBE. The NMM Library, which is open 364 days a year and has been spending £41,100 a year, has at last been forced to charge its customers for using its services.

The remains of the long-lost ex-works 1934 Le Mans team Singer Nine driven in the race by Norman Black and H Baker, sold at a Brooks auction last December, are being restored.