The Royal box, between the two stands facing the pits, lent an extra splash of colour to a picturesque scene and reminded us that this should have been the meeting of the year. Everyone was in their best clothes, a party atmosphere prevailed and all was “set fair” for the 11th G.P. of Europe, except the non-arrival of the Ferraris and the R.A.C.’s dislike of such worthy racing cars as Rolt’s rebuilt Delage and Alfa-Romeo, Shawe-Taylor’s B-type E.R.A., Duncan Hamilton’s Maserati and Abecassis’ H.W.M. We all breathed more freely when the big Alfa-Romeo vans, “Alfa-Romeo, Gomme, Pirelli” on their flanks, arrived with the four “158” Alfa-Romeos, for the first time on English soil, accompanied by their attendant Alfa-Romeo lorry full of tyres and equipment.
Even more imposing were the spotless and vast E. Chaboud-bodied Citroen vans, one towing a covered two-wheeled trailer, each containing two Talbots. They wore “Dunlop” and the French flash and one had an identification lamp. Platé’s Bianchi lorry, laden with mini jerry-cans and Shell tins, brought the Maseratis; Etancelin drove up in a “203” Peugeot saloon. The Italian drivers used an Alfa-Romeo saloon with “Winner, 1,000 Miglia, 1950” on its back-panel, and the big Fargo van of Ecurie Belge, “Specialité Voitures Course et Sport,” trundled into the pit-area. Tony Curtis tested his 125 loud-speakers and seven miles of wiring, the police rehearsed the timing of the Royal tour, and the air of expectancy increased. As well-turned out as any of the Continental transports was Geoff Crossley’s Chevrolet van, bearing the slogan “Alta-Sport, Brightwell Baldwin, England.” The arrival of the cars before a Grand Prix never fails to thrill.
Archive
1950 British Grand Prix race report - Farina wins Grand Prix d'Europe
The Royal Silverstone Meeting Glorious Weather for Their Majesties Visit Alfa-Romeos 1, 2, 3 in R.A.C. G.P. de l'Europe Won by Farina at 90.95 m.p.h. Parnell Third Coopers Meet Their…