Vintage Miscellany, November 1975

Vintage Miscellany

(By which means the Editor over-runs his Veteran, Edwardian and Vintage pages commencing on page 1259)

THAT 1913 Sunbeam, which was literally dug up from a field near Dumfries, competed in the recent Doune hill-climb. A reader wants to know whether his 1934 Singer Le Mans with triple SUs and a phosphor-bronze head, Reg. No. BNC 39, is still in existence. It apparently raced at Le Mans but was sold in Leicester some 16 years ago. Renault Ltd. are sponsoring the RAC/VCC Brighton Run on November 2nd, which has an entry of 2$4 pre-I905 cars. The VCC has a full report on its ambitious John o’ Groats/Land’s End Run in the current issue of its magazine. An overseas reader seeks information on rebuilding an early non-sports Fiat Balilla twoseater. Cecil Clutton points out that the 25/ 70 Vauxhall owned by General Ironside could not have had a fluid flywheel as the flywheel on these cars was in the middle of the crankshaft. This is correct, although there was another flywheel, for the starter ring, in the normal place. However, we do not remember a fluid flywheel 25/70; perhaps this was mistaken for sleeve-valve.

That exciting vintage racing car, the 11-litre six-cylinder supercharged Halford Special, is being rebuilt and its owner would appreciate any photographs or information. The Parry Thomas-engined Scriven Special “No No Nanette” of about the same period has also changed hands.—W.B.