The things they say

“During the month (of August) the sales of 160 motor cars, compared with 138 last year. included delivery of 21 Bentley Continental Rs with a retail value of £3.5 million. There is still a two-year waiting list for the new Bentley, Commercial MD Michael Donovan (of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars) commented: ‘In the face of continuing world-wide recession our sales performance is very pleasing’.” From a hand-out issued on September 3. On September 24 Rolls-Royce announced that it was cutting a third of its workforce — who, unlike Mr Donovan, are hardly likely to feel very pleased…

”Morris Oxfords. VW Beetles and Royal Enfield motorcycles are still being made in India and Mexico. Chris Godfrey explains how to acquire a brand-new anachronism on wheels,” The Daily Mail, reviewing a week’s TV programmes. Apart from the fact that I used to say that the VW Beetle will never die, what are Beetle fans going to say to this description of their favourite car?

“Anyone wanting to book a day on the hallowed tarmac of the world’s first motor racing circuit should contact Keith Griggs at Brooklands.” When I used to go there it was made of concrete.

Incidentally, we hear that Morag Barton, Director of the Brooklands Museum, has written to 400 motor clubs requesting that they increase subscriptions to their members in order that they can send her donations towards just the running of the Brooklands Museum site, which needs now £350,000, apart from anything towards further restoration work; the older Brooklands Society, which started the revival of Brooklands interest far earlier, isn’t mentioned and perhaps would not be quite so audacious!