Rumblings, November 2006

The latest addition to the aero-engined car fraternity is Colin Bullock’s P-type Lea-Francis with a 4½-litre air-cooled Cirrus engine.

The VSCC Summer Serendipity at Trumpet Cross near Leadbury, ably organised by Mark Garfitt, brought 72 cars, with Bentleys predominant. Rare makes included two 20/90 British Salmsons, a 13/70 Marendaz Special and a Donnet Six. Inexpensive food, a jazz band, an autojumble and the VSCC regalia shop were features but the cars were the attraction, from Rolls-Royce Phantoms to a Type 35B Bugatti.

Among many new titles in Veloce’s book lists is Motor Racing at Oulton Park, by Peter McFadyen. It photographically depicts activities at this popular circuit. The varied events there are covered in 96 pages, 13 colour plates and 98 black-and-white illustrations, commencing from the 1960s. Another for historians (although there was racing at Oulton before this) and enthusiasts. Veloce, Dorchester, 01305 260 068, ISBN 84584 038 0, £12.99.

From the VSCC of Australia (founded in 1945) comes new of full fixture lists involving many interesting cars such as Peter Giddings’ 250F Maserati, a Lago-Talbot, a Senechal, a K3 MG, a sports Morris Cowley, a Minerva with sports body, and a Cirrus-powered Special. The eight-cylinder two-stroke Chamberline was demonstrated recently. At the Winton races the Arthur Waite Trophy was won appropriately by the ‘duck-bodied’ Austin 7.