Rumblings, November 2004
The Lagonda Rapier driven by Lord de Clifford and Charles Brackenbury at Le Mans in 1934 is being restored in Ireland. The present owner’s parents bought it in 1946 from an Irish dealer. It had been somewhat altered, the tail extended to provide a small luggage space and the 19-gallon tank used for the 24-hour race made smaller. Peter Walby has photos of BMG 2 from which to restore the bodywork, except for one showing the tail as it was when Brackenbury ran the car at Donington in 1934. He’d like any images that could help. Replies can be forwarded.
* * * * *
In August the VSCC held its last gathering at the Verzons Hotel near Ledbury, which will no longer be available to it. Future meets are to be held at Longworth Hall. at Bartestree, three miles out of Hereford on the Ledbury road. Fifty-five cars attended, from 12 Alvises to a Crossley.
* * * * *
To strengthen the vintage car movement worldwide, the FIVA and the IHVO have amalgamated. IHVO ceases to be a separate body but one of its members will be represented on FlVA’s General Committee and one of its Commissions. This means a single historical vehicle movement will have representation in 50 countries, for its membership of nearly 750,000.
* * * * *
I apologise for apparently saying (October issue) that 1000 low-chassis S-type 4.5-litre Invictas were made. Reader Mr Williams is correct in saying the number was 77 My figure was intended to be for the entire Invicta output. Also, in the TT Humber article Bentley & Bentley became changed to Bentley & Burgess.
* * * * *
Photographs of cars in pubs: reader J Strickland tells me that pictures of the Wherwell cars, which were made in Wherwell village, hang in The White Lion at Wherwell. near Andover. Are there any more such sightings?
* * * * *
Vintage SCC fixtures to the end of 2004 are the Lakeland Trial on November 6, and the Winter driving tests at Westcott Venture Park, Bucks. on December 4. Both these meetings are for members only.
* * * * *
The Amilcar-Salmson Register has recently enrolled five new members, their cars an Amilcar CGSs, two CGS and two CS models, with two recruits looking for Amilcars.