Club news, November 1983
Mille Miglia 1984
The quaintly named Musical Watch Veteran Car Club, together with l’Automobile Club di Brescia, is organising a re-run of the Mille Miglia in 1984, from May 24th to May 27th. The event will start at night, and in four days will cover three journeys between Brescia and Rome; it’s to be timed, and is open to cars manufactured between 1927 and 1957. Support from a number of manufacturers has already been promised, we’re told, and any individuals interested can contact the organisers at Via Somalia n. 8/A, 25100 Brescia, Italy.
The MCC
Britain’s oldest motor sporting club, the Motor Cycling Club, which since pre-WW1 times has catered for cars as well as motorcycles and three-wheelers, last month ran its 61st Edinburgh Classic Trial. This attracted more than 250 competitors, proof of the popularity of these events which are so difficult and costly to organise. There was a fine variety of cars competing, including the usual been vintage contingent. Next January 6th / 7th another Exeter Trail will be held, dating back to 1910, with the “Land’s End” at Easter. Three times a year the MCC publishes its magazine “Triple”, named after the highly coveted Triple Awards won by those making first class performances in all three of the Club’s annual trials. This is an organisation very deserving of support of all true enthusiasts, if only for the fun of displaying the badge, depicting a single-cylinder dc Dion Bouton engine and the date of foundation — 1901. There is an annual October Silverstone race meeting for those more addicted to speed than mud, and the Membership Secretary is A. L. Bonwick, 82 Masons Way, Olton, Solihull, West Midlands, B92 7JU. — W.B.
RAC Brighton Run
The record 370 car entry for this year’s London to Brighton Run will include the oldest car ever to enter the event. It is a Panhard Levassor built in 1891 and only recently imported from America, where it had been used for static displays but not run on the road, for many years. As the oldest car, it will be flagged off first from Hyde Park at 8 am on Sunday, November 6 to begin the 57-mile journey.
“The Things They Say…”
“The MG name is now proudly back on a BL product, and happily the MG Metro has been accepted by fiercely loyal enthusiasts as being in the MG tradition. The moral of the episode is clear: you mess around with the famous marque names that are loved and cherished by motor enthusiasts at your peril!” — Sir Michael Edwardes, writing in his book “Back From The Brink” (Collins, 1983) before this sentiment was strengthened by the advent of the MG Metro Turbo and the MG Maestro. — W.B.