V-C Miscellany, March 1996

Celebrations for the centenary British Motor Industry have commenced early, with Stirling Moss launching the Auto-Windscreens Classic & Sports car Show by appearing at the Canal Basin, Coventry, in January, at the wheel of an 1897 Daimler, the venue being just about 200 yards from the first UK car factory, where the British Daimlers were made from 1896, although as the first chassis left there on November 20, and then went to Mulliner’s for its coachwork, the true movement hardly started until well in 1897. For some reason unknown a red flag preceded Moss and the early Daimler. . !

In association with the Show referred to above, Auto Windscreens want to hear from those owners who might be prepared to show cars in good condition that represent the British Motor Industry in the last 100 years. Apply to Talmin House, Berkeley Business Park, Wokingham, Berks RG11 4YG (tel: 01734 730696).

The winter edition of the magazine of the Vintage Austin Register has an article about suction screen-wipers which should be of value to those owners whose wipers of this kind have become more temperamental over the years. The magazine’s front cover depicts a circa 1921 Austin 20/4 Marlborough held up at a Barnstaple junction by a young constable, with a Model-T Ford truck behind it, its bonnet propped open for extra cooling.

The annual Ludlow & Leominster Vintage Vehicle Display is due to take place on May 12. Open to pre 1966 cars and pre-1970 motorcycles and commercial vehicles, entries will be restricted to a total of 150 and close by March 14. There will be a town-to-town run restricted to 90 vehicles, and generous Concours d’Elegance prizes, together with a brass plaque for all entrants. Details from: P D Reckless, Rochdale, 6 Station Road, Ludlow, Shrops SY8 2LP.

The FBHVC, at the suggestion of its President Lord Montagu, will hold a conference at Gaydon’s Heritage Motor Centre on March 23 to discuss future preservation relating to the 1996-2020 years of the vintage vehicle movement. The first speaker will be the Nick Scheele of Jaguar and the BBC’s Chris Serle will be Chairman. Tickets cost £25, to include lunch, parking and Museum admission. Apply to P H J Whyman, Elton House, Church Lane, St Giles, Wisbech, Cambs PE13 5LA. Tel: 01945 870 528.

Regulations for the Welsh Rally Retrospective, based on the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells, from April 20/21, are available from Ian Davies, Cilderwen, Beulah, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys. Tel: 01591 620303.

A reader is anxious to discover the pre-1966 history of the circa-1939 TA MG, Reg No FKP 395, chassis no TA 3202, which he has owned since 1987. He bought it as a bodyless wreck in the Isle of Mull, and some of the mods, such as Morris cylinder block, uprated electrics and 2in copper exhaust piping, make our correspondent wonder if the car was once owned by Pat Stilley, who wrote the article “The Truth About The T-Type” which MOTOR SPORT published in October 1941. Letters can be forwarded. WB