Without doubt, and I say it myself, we had an excellent stand at the NEC, which included two mint SPs, a mint ‘rolling’ chassis and a dragster. As soon as the doors open at 10am on the Friday and until the closing hour on the Sunday we were constantly kept on our toes. This was no doubt helped by the crowd pulling presence of Robin Read’s ‘small’ dragster which only puts out 1700 hp!
I do thank Garry Gendler and Richard Newman for allowing their SPs to be showcased, these created a jaw dropping entrance to our stand with their vibrant paintwork, Garry’s a striking maroon and Richard’s painted in the vibrant ‘Felday’ blue. I took up the rolling chassis which prior to leaving home had been wrapped in cling film to stop it getting dirty. We were somewhat astonished when we unwrapped the chassis to see it still in pristine condition, this despite encountering adverse conditions on the way up.
I must say the chassis which had been prepared by Dave and Darren sold itself, and I do mean ‘sold’ itself’ as a group of visiting University Professors have bought the chassis for their engineering workshops. In fact they have bought the whole car, their requirements that the chassis is drivable. The body, just in primer and all other fittings will go on display also. This to all of us is an outstanding result as hopefully new generations of engineering enthusiasts will thus spring up to aid the classic car movement, not this woke EV stuff which itself is more harmful to our environment.
Robin set us a light hearted task as to how many ‘mini’ dragster spark plugs we could sell, in all we sold 65. These Robin had reconstructed from spent plugs from the dragster so these plugs have attained 198 MPH. The cost is just £10, so if you wish to buy one send Robin an email robinread2@icloud.com do remember there will be P&P to consider.
Chris Clarke the Lanchester historian lanchesters@gmail.com is giving us the opportunity to buy any of the 4 Lanchester books at a substantial discount until the New Year:-
Vol: 1 (1895-1931) £25 reduced from £45;
Vol: 2 (1931-1956) £25 reduced from £45
Vol:3 (A Celebration of Genius) £25 reduced from £45
Vol:4 (A Joyous Pictorial Journey: 1895-1956) £35 reduced from £75
Postage is £5 per book unless you live near his Gloucestershire home then you can pick it up from Chris himself.
I was speaking with Alan Mason the other evening at dinner and he said he has a couple of SP Calendars available so if you have not bought one and wish to do so contact Alan on soaring.ace@btinternet.com £15 for the desk version and £12 for the wall plus P&P.
Alan Mason has also the planning underway for next years’ trip to the SPA Classic 17th to 19th May https://www.peterauto.fr/en/events/spa-classic/ the cost of tickets for the 3 day event are 35 Euros. If you care to join us please contact Alan (above). We have our own infield parking by Eau Rouge, we tend to dine in the hotel Thursda, Friday and Sunday whilst on Saturday we dine in the restaurant overlooking the circuit. So it’s possible to have an extended break in Belgian with the classic car racing thrown in.
This is for those that speak French, he is having fun, and it’s great PR for the SP, and the sound…….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ5z4ruu3ck
What a waste of time and resources, when will people learn that batteries are but a storage system for a finite period, they do not generate power itself …………….
https://www.facebook.com/interpartuk/videos/electric-jcb-mini-digger/511656216308338/
….Suffered at the hands of a London Taxi Driver, and a month later back to fight another day, looking in fine fettle. New front sections and rebuilt radiator, Yes, it is the same car.
You may recall from last month’s newsletter it was struck at such an angle that the grille popped out virtually undamaged
And Finally……………..
And still they come out into the light of day, this particular SP is seen being recovered from a back garden in the home counties where it has lain for 30 odd years – it too will fight another day! – more later
Thought for the day:
Never think of the future, it comes soon enough.
