NEW www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com SUMMER2015 from £199.95 incl UK delivery and VAT BRITISH MOTOR HERITAGE Startmonkey 400 is peace of mind for all classic drivers. Using THE BEST-LOVED lithium polymer technology, it is much smaller and lighter than a conventional jump pack so is always there, ready for that emergency start. The roadside model has crocodile clips to connect to your battery while the motorsport model is fi tted with an Anderson plug. 4X4 BY FAR

£45.00 Powermonkey Discovery is a tiny portable power supply that lets A TRIBUTE TO JLR’S ICON incl UK delivery you recharge your mobile devices while on the move. Fully charge your and VAT Powermonkey Discovery and it can then recharge a standard mobile phone up & THE DUNSFOLD COLLECTION to 4 times. Buy on line at www.motoringclassics.co.uk or place your order by phone on 01993 707200

QUALITY MUSEUM & “TRUST WORLD’s ASSURED MOTORCYCLING VISITOR HERTIAGE ATTRACTION TRUST “

We have a NEW EXTENSION with more rare & prestigious for you to enjoy in 2015! MADE IN

One of the Finest Collections of Fully Restored Motorcycles in the World SLOUGH! Tea Rooms • Craft Shops • Children’s Play Area • Animals • Free Parking • Special Events (please phone for details) VIEWING THE TOWN THROUGH Open daily from mid February to end of November (weekends only December & January) MILLER’S AUTOMOTIVE EYES Situated around Wonderful Farmland in a Courtyard Complex MOTORCYCLES You’ll find us atBashley Cross Road, New Milton BH25 5SZ (easy parking and access) Bashley Manor Tea Rooms: Home-cooked Food. Open all Year A MOTORBIKE COLLECTION TO SAVOUR

Call us on 01425 620777 or visit www.sammymiller.co.uk Dealer Spotlight 3 New News From BMH 4 The Best-Loved 4x4 By Far 5-7 Made In Slough! 8-9 Classic Motorsport 10-11 Plugging An Old Idea 12-13 Missing Moniker 14 Classic Character 15 Bicester’s Alternative Village 16-17 Miller’s Motorcycles 18-19 Above: Post-war motorcyclists initially relied on sidecars to transport their families. Driveable on a motorcycle licence, Reliant three-wheelers subsequently brought car-style motoring to thousands. The image is of a c.1955 Regal MKII, courtesy of Elvis Payne, www.reliant.website. TR BITZ AT AERODROME GARAGE

Motoring Classics reproduction in whole or any part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission of the publisher Nearly 40 years of buying, partnership specialising in E-Types and common occurrence. What’s clear is is strictly prohibited. The publish- News of the Land Defender’s This issue’s Classic Character is Cecil selling, servicing, restoring and TRs, but by 22 he had hived off the TR that whatever their make of car, TR Bitz er makes every effort to ensure impending demise has probably even Kimber – aka ‘Mr MG’. His fascinating breaking Triumph TRs (models section and established his own show customers are spread far and wide. For 2 the magazine’s contents are correct reached the little green of Mars by now, story is one of skill and determination, 2 to 6 inclusive) entitles John in a petrol station at the end of his road example, a restoration is currently un- 3 such is the level of buying, restoring (and and it’s so sad his life was cut short in but can accept no responsibility Sykes to make some mighty – TR Bitz had been born. Expansion lat- der way on a Belgian-owned TR3, while 3 for any effects from errors even stealing!) it’s reputedly created. We a freak rail accident and he has argu- impressive claims for his inter- er necessitated a mile-long move to the on the week of the interview John had or omissions. report on the must-see exhibition JLR ably never had the credit he deserved. nationally-renowned company: nearby industrial estate, and five years delivered a sale car to Exeter and col- has created in celebration of the model Neither perhaps has Reliant, the subject ago the company travelled a similarly lected a TR5 for service from Bristol. and its forebears; also on the astonish- of our Missing Moniker, which warrants NB Motoring Classics is the printed • “Most of the UK-based examples miniscule distance to its current im- ing 130-strong Dunsfold Collection of considerable recognition for putting a and online publication of British Motor have passed through our hands at pressive home on Appleton Aerodrome. What do these guys do on their days Land Rovers that recently achieved fibreglass roof over many a former mo- Heritage and its retail trading arm. one time or another” off – well go racing of course?! John charitable status, and can hopefully soon torcyclist’s head (courtesy of its unique John’s son, well-known automobilia is this year sharing a C-Type with Jag- be housed in the dedicated museum it three-wheelers), and bringing us the Publisher: • “We have the world’s largest stock specialist Adam Sykes, is involved in uar Heritage boss Derek Weale, and deserves. trend-setting Scimitar GTE that still turns British Motor Heritage Limited, of TRs for sale – those on our the 10-strong business these days will no doubt venture out in the fam- heads nearly 50 years on. Range Road, Cotswold Business website are the tip of the iceberg, and the pair is keen to stress its ily’s collection of Merlyn Formula Jun- One museum already firmly in place and Park, Witney OX29 OYB, UK as 50% of our sale are activities increasingly encompass ior single-seaters too, while Adam’s recently extended is the Sammy Miller It’s too late to change John Betjeman’s Tel: +44 (0)1993 707200 pre-placed” other marques in addition to Triumph, prime weapon of choice is a Lotus motorcycle one. Nestling unobtrusively view of Slough, but our feature on its au- Email: [email protected] with the servicing of, for example, Jag- 22. Petrol in the veins? Most definitely! in the New Forest it is an absolute treat tomotive contribution might make a few • “We also hold the biggest stock uars and Aston Martins an ever more See www.trbitz.com for more detail. for the bikers among us. Go whenever of you see it in a new light, while that Editorial: of used TR parts in the world - for you can and, like me, you might be lucky on electric cars proves such power is far Gordon Bruce Associates example, we currently have some enough to meet the man himself – an 81 from new in the motoring world. Email: [email protected] 500 gearboxes in store” year old whirlwind of energy, still riding Web: www.gordonbruce.com and even competing! Happy reading! • “To date, we have imported around Design and production: 1,000 TRs from North America” Yet another organisation busy protect- Flipside Group ing our automotive (and aviation) legacy www.flipsidegroup.com Sykes was destined to live an auto- is Bicester Heritage; the consortium motive life. Both his grand-father and that’s acquired the best preserved of all father were engineers. The latter ran Follow us on: Britain’s WWI/II airfields and is busy a company in Lymm, Cheshire special- turning it into a hive of complementary @MotoringClassic ising in rebores, crank-grinds etc and traditional skills, and the perfect place Gordon Bruce drove a MKI Jaguar, while his mother Motoring Classics for enthusiasts to meet, talk and even Editor cut a dash in an E-Type – small wonder ride, drive and fly. Another truly fabulous then, that John opted for an apprentice- project that deserves our full support. ship in the same field and had restored a Frog-Eye Sprite by the time he was 16. His first foray into business was a

www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com 4 NEWS crankshaft hasnowbeendelivered. This to buildthecorrect engine,asthesteel The goodnewsisthedelayallowingus looking forward to seeing the final result. at KenningtonMotorsandweare really under the direction of Dave and Daniel Dominic andJimmyhavesinceworked was clearthere remained alotstilltodo. of pre-paint preparation ourselves,butit paint shop.We hadcarriedoutquiteabit tothe afterthistheshellwentoff Shortly atsettingupthedampersonBTCCcars,soareallyalso expert usefulguytoknow. the cage,butwashappytoshare hisknowledgeandexperiencewithourstudentsDominicJimmy. Heis racing sector. Richard kindlyaccommodatedusinhisbusyscheduleand,notonlymadeasuperbjoboffitting us thenameofRichard Townsend, inthefieldandkeentoexpandhisbusinessintoclassic whois anexpert conversationatRaceRetro to thenewseason,itwouldhavemeantawaitofseveralweeks.Afortunate gave essential. Thesuppliers,CustomCages,couldhaveinstalleditforusbut,astheywere verybusyintherunup became clearthatfittingittothe required standard wasaspecialistjob,forwhichoutsideassistance just adistantmemory. Amajordelaywastheroll cage-itwasdelivered muchlaterthanpromised, anditthen Work onournewA40racerhasprogressed muchslowerthananticipated,andouroriginaltimingplanisnow Austin A40racer Managing Director JohnYea provides updatesonallfronts everything hasbeenthoroughly checked. ing thebuild,aswewishtobeconfident ting hastakenplacewewillnotberush- assembly. Whilstagreat dealofpre-fit- at whichpointwecancommencefinal bodyshell backtousbytheendofApril, The revised schedulehasthepainted very encouragingresults. guru Ralphisalsoresponsible, isgiving same specification,forwhichourrace is exciting,asaMiniMigliaunitofthe BMH FROM

lowing thislinkwww.tgr.ph/1DASbkd. viewed ontheTelegraph websitebyfol- the actualfootageisexcellentandcanbe my voiceoverleavesalottobedesired, our latestbatchofMGBbodyshells.Whilst recently visitedBMHtofilmthebuildof On adifferent tack, TheDailyTelegraph The DailyTelegraph sessions before enteringourfirstevent. We willthenorganise acoupleoftest

Dunsfold Collection – the famous Bertram Mills Circus Series 1, as ‘driven’ by Kam the elephant examples andbasketcases,they’re allnowofinterest. them upleftrightandcentre before it’s toolate.Newones,oldconcours famously outlinedhisbrainchildonthesandsofAnglesey, andenthusiastsare snapping world’s Wilkes mosticonic 4x4isfinallytoceaseanamazing68yearsafterMaurice Suddenly, everybody’s talkingLandRovers.Theword isoutthatUKproduction ofthe

sons PhilipandChris. ucts ofSolihull–adiseasehehasselflesslypassedontohis alife-longpassionwiththeprodand unwittinglykick-started - tives were aJowettvanorLandRover. Hechosethelatter BlackShadow.her travellingpilliononhisVincent Hisalterna- when thefather of BrianBashall’s thengirlfriendobjected to products attheirdisposal.Thestorydatesbacktothe1950s based Bashalls,whoalready havesome130LandRover One familythat’s wellaheadofthegameare theDunsfold- The DunsfoldCollection

vehicle seen here on duty at the Invictus Games Invictus the at duty on here seen vehicle

– Series IIA ceremonial ceremonial IIA Series – Collection Dunsfold ment inMajorca. Readmore > and builtherownmotoryacht,whichshesailedtoretire- Mosquito aircraft during the war. Post hostilities she designed to herbeingrequisitioned toproduce forDeHavilland parts rivalled those of Chad Valley and Triang – a reputation that led quality woodentoys.Intheirday, BettyBashallproducts co.uk). PriortoWWIIsheestablishedafactorymanufacturing Brian’s mother, agoogle(www.thewebbery. worth iscertainly Technical acumenrunsinthefamilyandBettyBashall, www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com

Dunsfold Collection – Series IIA Forest Rover by Roadless Traction of Hounslow

5

7 6

Brian was the Workshop Foreman of Com- ers could be on permanent display, along erfords motorcycle dealership in Thames with their equally wonderful gathering of Ditton, but his obsession with Land 2,000 model Land Rovers and archive of Rovers caused him to leave and set up engineering drawings, marketing and pro- Dunsfold Land Rovers Ltd in 1968. Now motional material, handbooks etc. Access known as DLR, the company still operates www.dunsfoldcollection.co.uk to see from the self-same site, restoring and how you can become a ‘Friend’ of the Col- The knowledge amassed by Philip Bashall servicing Solihull products built between lection and/or make a donation towards over the years made him the go-to man 1948 and 2000, and supplying enthusi- its future. when decided a recreation of asts the world over from its million-strong the original 1948 production line would be til August 2014! He and a mechanic then The 1948 reconstruction line is appropri- by Land Rover but purchased from inde- stock of original parts. the perfect way to mark the end of UK De- assembled the display items in five weeks ately housed slap in the middle of current pendent suppliers such as GKN (chas- fender production. The original conversa- flat. In a nice touch of authenticity, the Defender production, in one of the origi- sis) and Dana (sub-assemblies). The total Along the way Brian began collecting ex- tion with ‘Mr Land Rover’ Roger Crathorne body panels were painted on the current nal Land Rover buildings. Nice touches assembly time is around four hours per amples of each type of Land Rover; not Those impatient to clap eyes on the Col- took place in the unlikely environs of an Defender line, in exactly the same place include a clocking-on card for each visi- vehicle, of which some 125 are currently least rare prototypes and pre-production lection have a rare opportunity to view amphibious Discovery on the waters of they would have been in 1948, while the tor and everybody is invited to pocket a being completed every day – an increase models. What’s known as the Dunsfold Col- some 100 or so of the vehicles at the Lake Geneva in March 2013. The decision skids on which the vehicles are displayed tilt hook as a keepsake – one of the two of 56 percent over last year! Other fas- lection now numbers some 119 showable upcoming Open Weekend. A biennual was made to depict three key stages of were made in the original toolroom. Said items common to Land Rovers all the way cinating factoids include: the biggest vehicles plus a further 10-12 duplicates event for serious Landie folk, it is being the build progress, ie: chassis with axle Philip: “The help and support we got from from 1948 to 2015; the other being a lat- market for Defender is Germany; the toler- or derelicts. Philip, who has now inherited held on June 13/14 this year at the attached; rolling chassis with engine and Land Rover employees was quite fantastic eral strengthening bar for the rear body. ance on early Land Rover panels used to responsibility for the DLR business and Sprinkbok Estate, GU6 8EX; just down gearbox installed; and an almost com- and, with everybody’s assistance, the dis- be +/– 0.25in, but is now 0.20mm; once (together with his fellow trustees) the Col- the road from DLR. Among the many plete vehicle with body in situ. play co-ordinator Mike Bishop was able to Your scribe would happily have paid £45 built, each vehicle has to pass a rain test lection, is the first to admit it’s mighty un- other interesting vehicles to see will be amass a wealth of support material in the to see the celebration line alone, but Land – a development that will bring a smile to wieldy to manage for, as there’s no proper no less than 17 of the 20 pre-production By Christmas 2013 there was still no go- way of old photos, drawing boards, office Rover are more generous and dedicate anybody used to mopping up the drips home, the vehicles are currently strewn Land Rovers in existence. There will also ahead from Solihull, but Philip realised that chairs, galvanised parts bins, even asset three hours to the total tour that also from inside The Best-Loved 4x4 By Far! across three counties. However, there is be club and trade stands, an autojumble, orders for the four new bodies and chassis plates – the metal tags that would have encompasses each phase of making the light at the end of the tunnel, as the Collec- craft stalls, on-site catering/bar, camping required would need placing imminently if been attached to every item of equip- current vehicle. Robots are few and far Be sure to take this tour while you can – tion was recently granted charitable sta- facilities, and entertainment on the Satur- the intended deadline was to be met. He ment. The resulting display is really quite between, making this the enthusiast’s last it could well be the best £45 you spend tus and the drive to raise sufficient funds day evening. For further details see www. took the gamble and funded the hardware emotional.” chance to witness UK vehicle manufacture this year! See https://shop.landrover. to create a permanent museum is now on. dunsfoldcollection.co.uk. Some 3,000 out of his own pocket and it’s just as well as it used to be. Interestingly, none of the co.uk/driving-experiences/find-a- Philip’s ideal scenario would be a three to 4,000 enthusiasts are expected across he did, as the official order didn’t arrive un- component parts are now manufactured centre/solihull for further details. acre site in Surrey, where all the Land Rov- the weekend.

Top: the quality of restoration for which DLR is renowned. Above left: DLR’s spares Top: the Defender Celebration Line is a wonderful mix of hardware, period photos and general inventory runs into millions - here, yet more parts are arriving. Above: the Defender Land Rover ephemera. Above left: visitors can experience ‘driving’ at angles of up to 30 deg. www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com Celebration Line vehicles were constructed at DLR Above right: a replica chassis nestles in front of an evocative 1948 production line photo CITROËN for a while, from where its racing pro- gramme was organised and examples Citroën leased a sizeable proportion of of such models as the TS5 Formula the estate as early as 1925, and built 5000 car were produced. what was immediately the UK’s largest automotive manufacturing plant – a MADE IN milestone unsurpassed until the advent FORD of Ford’s Dagenham factory in 1931. By 1927 Citroën was selling 5,900 The first UK example of Ford’s all- cars in Britain, most of which were conquering Transit van was made in righthand drive models from Slough. Slough in 1965 on the site of Langley The running gear, suspension, steering airfield on which Hawker-Siddeley Hur- and body panels were imported from ricanes had previously been created. SLOUGH! France by rail, while the UK opera- The Slough Transit was a victim of its tion manufactured the dashboard, own success, however, and by 1972 seats and interior trim, and managed all manufacture had moved to larger John Betjeman wrote a derisive poem about it – ‘Come friendly bombs and fall on the assembly. premises at Eastleigh. Slough…..’; it was home to David Brent’s imaginary stationery firm: and some wag Some 57,000 examples from nine created the bumper sticker ‘Happiness is Slough in my rear view mirror’. It may model lines were ultimately built by Citroën in Britain over 40 years, ie PEERLESS/WARWICK therefore surprise you that we car guys have much to thank the town for. the: B12; B14; C4; C6; Traction Avant; 2CV; Bijou; and DS. Taking its name from the countless American Peerless trucks repaired on In 1917, it boasted just 15,000 swing, making it then surplus to official Once they’d been repaired and sold, ‘The Dump’, the Slough-made Peerless inhabitants and was known for its Cox’s requirements. Enter a group of wealthy the consortium was left with a vast GT sported TR3 running gear clothed Orange Pippins and the finest corn in entrepreneurs comprising: Lord Perry, swathe of empty industrial buildings. FORD/LOLA in a fibreglass body. Some 325 ex- the Home Counties. However, crops the future chairman of Ford of Britain; Their solution was to rent them out and /PORSCHE/MIRAGE amples were produced between 1957 were of little interest to the War Office, newspaper baron Lord Beaverbrook; the famous Slough industrial estate and 1960, one of which finished 16th who urgently sought a site on which to shipping magnate Lord Inchcape; and (then the biggest in Europe) was born. Ford and Lola leased a pair of adjoin- at Le Mans in 1958. A mildly updated repair 16,000 military vehicles per an- successful car salesman Noel Mobbs. It has since spawned the creation of all ing buildings on the estate’s Yeovil version was briefly manufactured un- num so they could rejoin the war. Other Spotting an opportunity to meet the manner of vehicles, including several Road in late 1963 in order to create der the Warwick name at nearby Coln- 9 8 locations were considered, but it was in escalating post-war demand for vehi- Le Mans winners. the GT40. When Lola’s Eric Broadley brook between 1960 and 1962. Slough ‘The Dump’ was duly created. cles of all types, they purchased the divorced himself from the project a entire site including all its trucks, cars Below: a scene from ‘The Dump’ year later, Ford moved to bigger prem- However, the project ran late and the and motorcycles (plus the many still ises in nearby Banbury Avenue. Lola MCLAREN war was over by the time it was in full strewn around Europe), for £7million. remained in the town for a further six years during which many notable rac- Another Colnbrook resident was ing cars were created – not least the McLaren, who operated in the town Can-Am winning T70. from 1965 until moving to Woking in 1981. Among the many notable mod- All c.132 original GT40s started life els produced during that era were its in Slough and when Ford largely lost first road car, the stunning M6GT – interest in the programme following effectively a street-legal Can-Am racer its famous 1966 Le Mans victory, the – and the Gordon Coppuck-designed Manager, John Wyer, adopted it under M23 with which James Hunt annexed the banner of JW Automotive Engi- the 1976 World Championship. neering (JWAE), with sponsorship from Gulf Oil. This famous union netted the 1968 GT Championship and Le Mans victories in 1968 and 1969. For the GERRY ANDERSON following two years JWAE served as Porsche’s main partner for the mighty Many of Anderson’s unrivalled super- 917, bringing yet more international marionation series were made on the success. Wyer’s operation was also Slough estate – eg Supercar and Fire- behind the series of Mirage cars, not ball XL5 emanated from Ipswich Road least the GR8 with which Derek Bell while Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain and Jacky Ickx triumphed at Le Mans Scarlet, and Joe 90 evolved from Stir- in 1975. ling Road. SURTEES Thank goodness Betjeman’s hoped-for bombs never landed! Surtees Racing also operated from Banbury Avenue on the Slough estate

Top to bottom: early Slough Citroëns in the making; a Gulf Mirage M1 and Ford GT40; Surtees TS5; Ford Transit (MPL, National Motor Museum); Peerless GT (MPL, National Motor Museum); McLaren M6 GT; Graham Hill aboard the Gerry Anderson Doppelganger car (Getty Images) www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com Motoring Classics in

British Motor Heritage MD John Yea reports from the cockpit

I’m afraid this summary of the third place. It is great to watch this Because of the two previous series season to date is more than a little clean, skilful and determined drive being combined, there are some downbeat, as a variety of problems from Chris. compromises aimed at levelling the has prevented us from getting fully playing field - eg as I am still using into gear. My efforts have been rather more a 1950cc engine, I have to run with muted! My first attempt at the wheel the TR4s rather than the 1840cc- I was really looking forward to rac- was on Sunday March 29, at a cold, engined MGBs. There is also an ad- ing at the Goodwood Members’ wet and miserable Mallory Park in justment in relation to tyres. I had Meeting, but at the last minute the first Equipe GTS race of the my car on Avons, as per the AMOC was prevented from doing so for season. This was the first running regulations from last season, as I personal reasons. I passed the of the combined series now in op- understood we could ‘use up’ our entry over to Chris Ryan, an ex- eration, that’s being managed by surplus rubber. It transpired that perienced racer and good friend two of the competitors – John Pear- only applied to those who’d solely of Barry Sidery-Smith, the owner son and Rob Cull. An omen for my contested the AMOC series, and of the Le Mans MGB ‘DRX 255C’. participation was the passenger- that I should have been on the Dun- Chris had only driven at Goodwood side wiper falling off as we joined lop historic race tyres. Somebody

10 once before, and then in a TR4, the circuit for the start of qualifying! protested and I was told that, if I 11 so driving the MGB was a bit of an There was a large, strong entry and wanted to race, I would have to adventure. However, in spite of this conditions on track were atrocious, start at the back of the grid and he produced a fantastic drive to meaning that qualifying was largely wouldn’t be eligible for any awards. convert a 6th place in qualifying to spent looking for a clear piece of Given the risk of damage in trying victory in the Les Leston Cup. The circuit on which to maintain decent to come through the field in such I sympathise with John and Rob, way to St Mary’s. In spite of this, my whole race is viewable on the Good- momentum, with proper racing conditions, and a problem with the as it is a thankless task running a second run was only a second slow- wood website and is really worth lines taking second place. I was sur- brakes that was not repairable at series, even without specification er than my first, leaving me to rue Left: John Yea catching Anthony Hansford, watching; particularly his mighty prised to find I’d qualified 3rd, it be- the circuit, I decided to call it a day; issues arising from integrating two what might have been. However, Goodwood Spring Sprint (Clive Barker). catch through the daunting Wood- ing very difficult to judge whilst out particularly as I wanted the car in similar (but not identical) sets of just to be at ‘Glorious Goodwood’ Above: Chris Ryan en route to victory in Barry cote corner when trying to annexe on the circuit. one piece for the following week. regulations. In fact, the conditions in such perfect conditions, with Sidery-Smith’s ex-Works MGB, Goodwood Members’ were so bad that the tyres were all the daffodils round the circuit, Meeting (Frozenspeed). Below: Tom Smith leading the Equipe GTS race, Mallory Park, March 29 unlikely to have been a significant was enough to engender a really (Dickon Siddall) factor. However, it’s sometimes good feeling. best to acknowledge that ‘it is one of those days’ and simply move Our next outing is at Brands Hatch on. Ironically I was then given two on the first weekend in May, with trophies in connection with last sea- qualifying and the first race on son’s Equipe series! Saturday, and the second one on Sunday. I will also be taking part On Easter Monday I took part in in free practice on the Friday, in the Goodwood Spring Sprint. Con- order to get the feel of the Dunlop ditions couldn’t have been more historic race tyres and try and put different, with bright sunshine and into practice the lessons learned a cloudless sky all day. I managed from the driver coaching I received 5th in class and fastest MG at the on this circuit a year ago. The MGB event, but it could have been better, was performing really well at Good- as on the second of my two com- wood, so it’s now up to the driver to petitive runs the car suffered fuel raise his game and do the car justice! starvation through the fast kink af- ter Madgwick, making it slow all the

www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com

Some owners of shiny new VW e-ups or Nissan Leafs may be under the impression they are revolutionary, but few things are truly new in this world. The electric car’s (first) heyday was c.1900. Twenty years later it was discarded for Pluggingan old idea being ‘too expensive, too slow and having too short a range’. Sound familiar?

Deciding who was first past the post with vented), smelly, dirty and needed to be Other factors leading to the decline in an electric-powered automobile is tricky cranked by hand – a pastime that inflicted electric propulsion include: the invention Left: the 1887 electric dog-cart of Magnus - there were numerous worthy claimants. injuries on many an early motorist. They of the self-starter for internal combustion- Volk (MPL, National Motor Museum) What seems generally accepted is that also required drivers to make frequent engine cars; improvements in gearbox Top, L to R: 1897 Bersey electric cab (MPL); by 1842 both Robert Anderson of Scot- gearchanges via transmission systems design; and the ready supply of cheaper 1899 ‘La Jamais Contente’ (MPL); 1917 Detroit land and Thomas Davenport of the USA that were less than co-operative. Steam- petrol. Last, but certainly not least, was Electric (MPL); Minister David Howell with the

had constructed crude but working pro- powered machines displayed none of that the growth of national road systems 13 12 Enfield 8000 (MPL); the GM EV1; a Formula-e totypes. French physicist Gaston Planté these problems, but needed a ready sup- with ever-better surfaces encouraged racing car then significantly progressed the electric ply of water and could require some 45 drivers to travel far further afield – jour- vehicle cause in 1859 by inventing the re- minutes of preparation before a journey neys electric cars simply could not en- chargeable lead-acid battery, and by the could be undertaken – less than ideal for compass. Their day, it seemed, had 1893 Chicago Motorshow several differ- the bank robbing fraternity, or indeed any- come and gone for good. ent makes of such cars were in production. body else in a hurry. By contrast, electric cars were quiet, devoid of odour and rela- And the situation remained largely un- 1897 saw the first serious commercial tively easy to drive. changed until the fuel crises of the ‘70s, use of the propulsion system, when some and concerns not only about the ongoing 60 electrically-powered taxis built by the That people were taking to cars of cost and availability of fossil fuels but Electric Carriage and Wagon Company of whatever propulsion in such a big way the adverse effect of exhaust emissions. Philadelphia hit the streets of New York. is equally unsurprising. The horse had Thoughts turned once again to electric Similar vehicles by Bersey appeared served us well for centuries, but had its cars as a possible solution. Projects like in London around the same time and disadvantages. Aside of the obvious lack the Enfield 8000 sprang into being, 120 became known as ‘hummingbirds’ by of comfort, weather protection, luggage of which were built on the Isle of Wight, virtue of their idiosyncratic noise. Two capacity etc it inflicted a unique brand of of which 65 were employed by the Elec- years later, the Belgian inventor Camille pollution on the world’s more crowded cit- tricity Council and boards of the South Jenatzy employed his rocket-shaped ies – take for example New York, which of England. 1988 saw the birth of GM’s electric speedster ‘La Jamais Contente’ had to endure 2.5million pounds of ma- extraordinary EV1 research programme, to raise the World Land Speed record nure and 60,000 gallons of urine per day, which was followed two years later by Cal- to a heady 65.79mph. None other than not to mention the carcasses of 15,000 ifornia’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate. Ferdinand Porsche entered the scene in dead animals per annum. 1898, having designed the motor-in-hub So to today, when electric and hybrid Egger-Lohner. This was followed by the So the electric car became the personal vehicles are readily on offer around the Lohner-Porsche, the world’s first hybrid choice of many in the early 1900s, but world, Formula One cars have turned to vehicle, of which 300 were made with the the writing was on the wall. Ironically, the hybrid power and there is even a rival all- choice of two or four-wheel drive. man who joined Thomas Edison in the re- electric series – Formula-e. On the face search of electric cars was to hammer of it, it won’t be long before we’ll all be By 1900, no less than 28 percent of one of the biggest nails in their coffin – no more than passengers in driverless American cars relied on electric power, Henry Ford. The launch of his immortal electric-powered cars – which certainly and it is not hard to see why when you Model T in 1908 almost instantly made sounds very safe and practical but, come consider the alternatives. The internal motoring available to the masses, and for to think of it, not half as much fun as driv- combustion-engined offerings of the time a fraction of the cost of the electric al- ing a Model T Ford or, dare we say, riding were noisy (silencers had yet to be in- ternative – typically $650 versus $1750. a horse!

www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com MISSING MONIKER Reliant CECIL KIMBER (1888 - 1945) It’s easy to be confused by Reliant, T L Williams and colleague E S Thomp- rael, and the model’s motorsport career the unique Midlands-based car com- son judged this to be an error and cre- included the first Works drive for future Right: Cecil Kimber and family The MG brand has been kicked from A natural innovator, he soon began designing spe- pany that survived an impressive 66 ated their own in 1934. The prototype Ford rally star Roger Clark. The hand- at rest during an MGCC trial cial bodies for the otherwise largely standard cars. years and brought us cars as diverse ‘Reliant’ duly constructed in Williams’s some Ogle-designed Scimitar Coupe and, pillar to post since its inception, yet (MPL, National Motor Museum) By 1927 sales of the ‘Morris Garages Specials’ as: the three-wheeled Regal that was garden at Kettlebrook, Tamworth was a in particular, the subsequent GTE models the famous Octagon badge remains were so high that a separate factory was created, primarily aimed at bikers who could 7cwt van that initially featured chain drive, were genuine trendsetters, good versions Below right: Kimber and Wilfred Mathews heading for a symbol of a golden age of British and by 1928 MG (Morris Garages) was a brand in its drive it on a motorcycle licence; and handlebar steering and a centrally-placed of which are now keenly sought. Reliant’s Gold on the 1925 Land’s End car manufacture. Despite this, few own right. Kimber’s use of motorsport to publicise the sporting four-wheeled Scimitar driver’s seat. Power came from a 600cc, last production car, a Robin, was built in Trial aboard ‘Old Number One’ GTE that found favour with single-cylinder JAP engine. 2001 and the remnants of the old com- (MPL, National Motor Museum) people outside the motoring sphere his wares is legendary but brought him into increas- Anne and such stars of the day as pany now trades as Reliant Partsworld, are truly au fait with the company’s ing conflict with Sir William Morris, and in 1935 day- Noel Edmonds, David Nixon and Rita As time went by, the vans became more supplying spares for the three-wheeled founder – the enigmatic Cecil Kimber. to-day control of MG was assumed by Leonard Lord Tushingham. Misinformation abounds conventional in layout and in 1952 the first Regal, Robin, Rialto and Bond Bug, and and the racing shop disbanded. Cecil then risked – eg there has never been a vehicle car variant, the Regal MK1, debuted at the four-wheeled Kitten and Fox. For further Born in Dulwich in 1888 and educated in Stockport, further wrath by supporting private trials teams called ‘Robin Reliant’, yet this label Earls Court Motorshow. Ever the pioneer, details of the fascinating three-wheeler he was fascinated by cars and motorcycles from and continuing the company’s long tradition of re- has somehow become commonplace; Reliant developed their own version of history see www.reliant.website. an early age, and would cycle miles just to glimpse cord breaking. However, one would have imagined the chosen mount of ‘Del Boy’ and the Austin Seven engine when Austin ter- them returning to Manchester from their Sunday securing an aircraft contract in 1940 would have Rodney Trotter was not a Reliant Rob- minated their production, and by 1962 runs. No related work beckoned, however, so he earned him new favour. It didn’t - the Board saw it as in but a Regal Supervan III. Moreover, was producing car bodies entirely from reluctantly joined his father’s printing-ink firm at the non-conformity and fired him. The embattled Kimber contrary to the impression conveyed fibreglass. The latter expertise won them age of 15. After two years he’d saved sufficient to re-emerged at Charlsworth and then the Specialloid by Top Gear, three-wheeled Reliants the contract to build shells for the Ford are not prone to falling over, and the RS200 rally cars, not to mention train 15 14 one Mr Clarkson repeatedly rolled bodies, boats, jet skis and even kitchen was reputedly helped on its way by worktops. wheels of differing diameters! The company’s first full-size four-wheeler The birth of the Reliant Motor Company for the home market was the Sabre, which was prompted by Raleigh’s cessation of stemmed from a request of one of Reli- its own three-wheelers. Works Manager ant’s existing customers, Autocars of Is-

buy his first motorbike, but it was astride a borrowed Piston Company, only to be killed in a freak train one that he was struck by a car, sustaining hip and accident at Kings Cross in 1945. leg injuries that would leave him with a life-long limp. The ensuing compensation payment bought him his His employers may never have fully appreciated the first car – a 10hp Singer. man’s talents, but enthusiasts the world over will forever lord him for his achievements. Kimber and his father eventually fell out, and at the age of 27 Cecil joined Sheffield Simplex in the role of Assistant to the Chief Engineer. There was now an outlet for his natural passion and jobs at AC Cars and automotive supplier E G Wrigley followed in relatively quick succession. It was an uncertain time for the industry, however, and as Wrigley’s headed towards bankruptcy, Kimber had the good fortune Top: 1950 Reliant Regent 10cwt van to be appointed Sales Manager and then General (Elvis Payne, www.reliant.website). Manager for Morris Garages. Above: Reliant Scimitar SE5A (MPL, National Motor Museum) www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com on site is classic car storage special- • Harry Fraser Vehicle Upholstery – Jaguar C-Type Club; TR Register; Bristol ist Historit. The 250 vehicles currently in restorers and recreators of interior trim Owners’ Club Heritage Trust; Bugatti Own- their care completely cover the floor of • Historic Promotions – specialists in ers’ Club; Pre-‘50 American Auto Club a hangar that would once have housed motoring events and marketing and the Bristol Owners’ Club. April played Bristol Blenheims and Hawker Harts, and • Legends Automotive – purveyors host to the 5th ‘Sunday Brunch Scram- a mezzanine structure is probably now and preparers of sports, competition ble’, giving thousands of members of The alternative required to satisfy the ever increasing de- and collectors’ cars the public the chance to enjoy the sight mand for their services. Observed Historit • Pendine – suppliers of historic cars and sounds of classic and vintage cars, director Charlie Morgan: “The hangars for road and track motorcycles and aircraft galore - gliding are perfect for our requirement as tem- • The Motor Shed – specialists in flights were also on offer. Regular occur- Bicester Village perature change is slow, they are very well- vintage and classic cars rences, these Brunches are rapidly gain- ventilated and feature concrete bases 10ft • Retrotech – providers of reverse ing popularity with owners and public thick that damp simply cannot penetrate.” engineering services for vehicle alike – eg freezing temperatures may have These days, the once sleepy Oxfordshire market hamlet of Bicester is best known for restorers stopped the planes flying at the January Bicester Village; the UK’s largest shopping centre outside London, where 6 million people Another of the 10 firms so far ensconced • Robert Glover – international one, but not the attendance of the motor- – there will ultimately be room for around purveyors of historic sports, cyclists who happily arrived covered in ice! per annum obtain their retail therapy. However, something yet more innovative and exciting 50 – is the Kingsbury Racing Shop Ltd, competition and touring cars ‘Flywheel’, the site’s biggest public gath- is stirring on the other side of this otherwise unremarkable town – Bicester Heritage. Based restorer of four-cylinder WO Bentleys. • Vintage Magnetos – restorers of ering to date, will take place on June 20. on a former RAF airfield, it aims to become the Mecca for our classic vehicle movement, Much care is being taken to provide ten- magnetos and other electrical and has already unobtrusively progressed a long way towards that goal. ants with premises ideal for their needs, equipment As you can see, great things are already and what better location for this company happening at Bicester Heritage, but imag- than the airbase’s original engine shed, Additional applicants will be installed as fur- ine several years hence when the mile of The motivation for Bicester Heritage was The key lay in finding the right venue and 1926 and the pair of 50,000 sq ft ones complete with concrete benches on which ther buildings become available. Like the usable track has been extended to three, concern that nobody was controlling the the 348 acre former site of RAF Bicester erected 10 years later; fabulous build- period motors are once again being rebuilt? hangars, the smaller brick structures have a restaurant is in place, motor clubs have classic industry’s future, and knowledge provided the perfect solution. Having been ings that readers of classic magazines proved to be in sound condition and gener- their own building and the facility of stor- vital to its survival was in danger of being operational through both world wars – eg will already have witnessed in their latest The other companies so far lucky enough to ally only require the walls blasted and their ing precious archives etc – the scope for lost. It was felt the solution lay in creating in 1939 it hosted the first ever flight by a role as film and photographic locations. find accommodation atBicester Heritage are: windows and roofs restoring. Following a the classic industry and we enthusiasts a ‘village’ of complementary skills and ser- Handley-Page Halifax four-engined bomber drying out period they are ‘as good as new’. alike is endless and extremely exciting! vices, one where classic cars, motorcycles - the airfield had been equipped with hang- They have survived the test of time well • Bicester Gliding Centre – one of and aircraft could not only be restored, ars and support buildings from both eras and require a modicum of TLC rather the UK’s top gliding clubs Though far from fully operational, Bices- See www.bicesterheritage.co.uk serviced, purchased, stored etc, but dis- and, unlike other such MOD sites, had been than complete restoration – eg 2.5 tons • BMP Blasters - sand blasters and ter Heritage has a packed programme of for further information. 17 16 played and exercised to the enjoyment of mothballed complete and unmolested. It of debris was removed from the gutters general preparers of car bodies, parts events for 2015. Motoring organisations all manner of enthusiasts, young and old. still sports two 35,000 sq ft hangars from of one alone! A company already installed and panels for restoration taking advantage of the facility include: the Far left: Mosquitos on the ground at RAF Bicester, WWII. The other images give a hint of the fun already now being had at the re-deployed airfield

www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com This April, John Surtees joined Murray developed and rode it to victory from Walker and Sammy himself (their com- 1957 to 1964 (NB when Ariel disband- bined ages total 253!) in the official open- ed its works team, Sammy purchased ing of the museum in its latest incarnation. the motorcycle for the princely sum of Now held in trust, and therefore preserved £1). Other Miller motors on display are MILLER’S for the enjoyment of future generations, the SHS (Samuel Hamilton Special), the the vast majority of the 400-plus machines Villers-engined Matchless he created in are in prime condition and full working or- 1953 and astride which he won the ‘Best der. There are special sections devoted Newcomer’ award in the following year’s to the Norton marque, racing bikes and Scottish Six Day Trial; also the 1955 those for trials; the area of the sport Miller 250cc NSU Sportmax on which he won MOTORCYCLES made his own. over 30 races. The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum nestles unassumingly among the trees of the New Forest, giving little indication of the hundreds of treasures displayed within. One of the Each motorcycle is meticulously present- The museum not only welcomes thou- ed and accompanied by an explanatory sands of guests per annum from all over best such collections in the world, it is a stunning tribute to motorcycling in general and plaque, while the notably colourful halls the world, but hosts numerous club and Sammy Miller in particular – one of biking’s finest ever competitors. are adorned with petrol globes, enamel other events. It also loans motorcycles signs, photographs, period fuel cans and and related items for third party shows other related ephemera. One wall of the and exhibitions, plus the window displays Upper Gallery is devoted to Mr Miller’s tro- and advertisements of such companies Sammy Miller MBE phy collection; some 1,500 in total, span- as Belstaff and Ralph Lauren. ning 65 years of successful competition – Sammy Hamilton Miller was born in and one assumes there is space for more, Restorations in 1933 – early enough to have vivid memo- as Sammy is not only still competing, but ries of a close encounter with a Junkers 88 winning too! Attached to the museum is the workshop where Sammy and his longest serving em- that had been bombing his city, and a Flying Fortress that had crashed onto the side of There are countless rare motorcyles to ployee, Bob Stanley, not only repair and restore the museum exhibits but rebuild Cave Hill. His father took the youngster to be enjoyed, not least: the 500cc 1905 watch numerous four and two-wheeled mo- Peugeot-engined Norton that’s the old- customer machines too. At the time of our visit a 1938 Zundapp K800 Flat Four, torsport events, but it was the motorcycle est known example of the marque and trials that made the most indelible impres- thought to have been the personal prop- 1925 Brough Superior Pendine Racer and pair of Excelsior Manxmans were all in the sion. His own riding career began at the age erty of its founder; the 1939 495cc AJS of 15 on a £10 1929 ‘Fanny’ Barnett, and Four – supercharged and water-cooled it throes of rejuvenation.

18 within just a few years he was winning trials on the aforementioned home-brew SHS and 19 circuit races on an AJS 7R.

Professional motorcycle competitors gener- ally only succeed in one discipline, but Sam- my proved his mettle in scramble and grass track events and excelled in both road rac- ing and trials. He finished 3rd in the 1957 250cc World Championship despite not contesting all the events. As for trials, the list of accolades is almost endless, but let’s settle for 11 times British and two-times European Champion. He not only rode for countless Works teams, but was responsi- ble for turning many of their machines into winners too – his skills as a development engineer matching those of rider. The suc- cess of the museum proves he is equally adept at business, while his restoration abili- ties have not only helped create the legacy, but are widely credited with saving many a rare motorcycle from extinction. The bike world has much to thank Sammy Miller for.

See www.sammymiller.co.uk was the first to lap a Grand Prix course Additional attractions for further information. at over 100mph, and did so in the 1939 Ulster event in the hands of Walter Rusk; Additional on-site attractions include an the 1947 498cc AJS Porcupine on which excellent tea room, craft and gift shops, Les Graham won the 1949 World Cham- and a children’s play area. Youngsters can Far left: Sammy Miller posing with the All- pionship. be further amused by chickens, turkeys, days Matchless he rode on this year’s Pioneer goats, donkeys and alpacas, and a pair of Run. Left: general shots of the museum, plus For Sammy’s many fans, the prime exhibit aviaries; not to mention a teddy bear hunt Miller’s 1953 home-brew SHS trials machine will doubtless be ‘GOV 132’, his Ariel HT5 and museum quiz. and the Mondial on which he finished 3rd in that arguably became the most famous the 1957 250cc World Championship trials bike in the world, as he continuously www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com www.motoringclassics.co.uk www.bmh-ltd.com