V-to-C miscellany, March 1993, March 1993
A reader has found two 1932 RAC Competition Licences. Both are made out to Geoffrey Norman Crowther, who declared his date of birth as 1908 and the place as Queensbury in Yorkshire. He wonders whether these licences are those of the GN Crowther who drove a Vernon-Crossley in the 1932 LCC Relay Race at Brooklands (Yes — WB) and, as he was born very close to Huddersfield, could he be the son of CK Crowther of that address, who purchased SF Edge’s famous 24-hour record-breaking 1907 Napier in pre-WWI days? Can any one of our erudite readers enlighten us?
The Shuttleworth Collection is organising another full season of flying displays and car rallies at Old Warden Aerodrome, Biggleswade. The first of the former will be the Navy Day on May 2, when it may be possible to show, or even fly, a 1941 Sea Hurricane, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic and to exhibit the RNAS 1916 Sopwith Triplane. The first car rally will be the MGCC MGB Register’s Spring Gathering, on April 25. Admission details on 0767-627288 (or fax 0767-627745), mentioning MOTOR SPORT.
It can be said that the Rover 8 Register is thriving, because although to see three of these attractive little air-cooled, flat-twins together at one time these days is something of a record, it is hoped that rather more may be entered for this year’s Leicester Pageant and Parade, on May 23, a formidable event in which vintage cars lead off a cavalcade restricted to 500 vehicles for a 15-mile run, ending at Abbey Park, a mile north of the city. Richard de la Rue, who got six members of the Crossley Register there last year, is the Rover 8 whipper-in and already his and two others should be there. The Rover 8 Register is run by Kent Robinson, Wedmans Farm, Rotherwick, Basingstoke, Hants RG27 9BX. By last November he had 24 cars on his list, ranging from 1920 to 1924 versions, including a 1924 van. He would like to hear of more, and of any spares sources. I am glad to note that the 1922 fixed-head coupe I was once given but was unable to restore is now with the BMI Heritage Trust, and that remains of the biplane whose builder I met in Harrogate during the war and which had a Rover 8 engine with insufficient power for it to get off the ground, is also listed.
We are sorry to hear that Bugatti-historian David Sewell has relinquished the positions of Curator of the Bugatti Trust and BOC Registrar. His place has been taken by Mrs Sue Ward, who is also Secretary of the Bugatti OC.
The Alvis 12/50 Register’s winter Bulletin devoted its contents to the early 10/30 and I 2/40hp cars, and a very fine job it made of it.
The Morgan Three-Wheeler Club’s (below) first 1993 fixture is a run to Old Warden Aerodrome, Biggleswade, on April 4.