V to C miscellany, February 1988

Regulations for the Yeovil Car Club’s Esso Bristol-Bournemouth Run on June 12, an event which is open to any pre-war car, motorcycle or commercial vehicle weighing not more than four tonnes and which is expected to attract some 350 entries, are now available from K McGee, 38 Kenmore Drive, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 48Q.

Those who have enjoyed driving the circular route of the scenic Elan Valley in Mid-Wales, past the impressive dams which supply Birmingham with its water, may like to know that in 1939 it was possible to take joy-rides over the area. These cost 18/- for two passengers in an Avro 504K or £1.10s for one passenger in a 275hp R-R Falcon-engined Bristol Fighter, the flights starting and landing at a now-disused aerodrome below the Rock Park Hotel in Llandrindod Wells, Powys.

A recent acquisition at the Museum of British Road Transport at Coventry is a 1923 10hp Climax-engined Albatross lightcar, made at Croft Road and Bedford Street in Coventry and believed to be one of only two survivors.

Harry Edwards has got out another attractive journal for the Morris Register. As well as news of events it contains articles on a Home Guard armoured car based on a 1929 Morris-Cowley, Lady Nuffield’s 1948 Wolseley 8, engine interchangeability, and Morris Chummies and Occasional Fours — the latter illustrated with contemporary photographs.

This year’s Morris International Rally will be held at Stanford Hall on August 13-14.

The 51st Pioneer Run for veteran motorcycles takes place on March 20, starting from Epsom Downs and finishing on the Madeira Drive at Brighton. Entries have closed. WB