Bristol Owners’ Club · Bristol Cars Services Ltd Unit 17-19 Shield Drive, Great West Road, Brentford TW8 9EX [email protected] / [email protected] 020 8560 3300

Inside:Bristols triumph on the Beaujolais Run, p12

Peking to Paris Rally, p32

2016 BOC Events, Trips & Tours, members’ survey results, p34

PLUS, News, Views, Letters & More

Bristol Owners’ Club

t h e o f f i c i a l m a g a z i n e o f t h e b r i s t o l o w n e r s ’ c l u b Autumn 2016, No. 155

SIX-PAGE SPECIAL

Bristol Cars unveiled Bulletfrom Ian Wallace at BCL, p22

B r i s t o l C a r s S e r v i c e s L t dUnit 17-19 Shield Drive, Great West Road, Brentford TW8 9EX

[email protected] / [email protected] 8560 3300 • www.bristolcars.co.uk

F O R M E R L Y T H E C A R D I V I S I O N O F T H E B R I S T O L A E R O P L A N E C O M P A N Y

B R I S T O L C A R S S E R V I C E , P A R T S A N D R E S T O R AT I O N

Bristol Cars is committed to preserving the heritage of our proud marque. Our team have over one hundred years of combined

experience, exclusive to our models. We are determined to ensure that only the highest standards of service are upheld and are pleased

to offer the following from our West London workshops:

• Servicing • Restoration

• Parts manufacture and supply • Classic upgrades and modernisation

• Paintwork and trimming • Technical advice

400 to Fighter, direct from the manufacturer. Collection and delivery by arrangement.

Service Dept BOC Bulletin A4 FPG.indd 1 15/05/2015 16:30BOC_152_May 2015.indd 2 29/06/2015 14:52

3 From the Editor Dear members4 From the Chair Another busy season

By Mark Alford7 London Classic Car Show8 The BOC Concours 2016 -

Shelsley Walshby Geoffrey Herdman

12 Bristols triumph on the Beaujolais RunBy Dr Hannah Goodman

19 The Concorso d’Eleganza at the Villa d’EsteA letter from the concorso By Stefano Pasini

20 The Schloss Dyck WeekendSchloss Dyck goes from strength to strength

22 From the Manufacturer Bristol Cars unveiled Bullet28 FHVBC Report

An update from the FBHVC

32 BOC Australia Peking to Paris Rally

A Peking-to-Paris first and a celebratory lunch

34 The BOC’s Events, Trips and ToursA summary of the 2016 survey findings

41 Le Mans Classic Car Show 2016The clock is turned back in time

42 BOC Heritage Trust Heritage Trust Update

Progress on the BOCHT 5-year plan

46 Club Information

Bristol Owners’ Club

Autumn 2016, No. 155

Contents

Bullet unveiledAt long last, the wait is over. On July 28th, Bristol Cars unveiled BULLET.p22

FEATURE

From the Editor

Any telephone conversation with the Chairman which begins “Anthony, you know you said you’d be happy to help the BOC in any way

you could...” is bound to raise an instantaneous and profound sense of suspicion. And so it was a couple of weeks ago when Mark Alford rang to ask if I’d take on the temporary editorship of the Bulletin. The Chairman explained the difficult time that editor Marc Atkinson is currently going through and, appealing to my better nature, asked me to help out.

As many of you may know, Marc Atkinson has recently experienced some severe spinal problems. Whilst he looks incredibly fit and healthy (indeed he appears bronzed, slim, chiselled and toned!) the reality is that his hands and fingers in particular are causing him acute problems. The result is that he has become increasingly unable to use that everyday staple of modern commercial life: the computer keyboard. It goes without saying that Marc remains positive and upbeat, as always, but is frustrated that he has not been able recently to produce a Bulletin for the Club.

The Club owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Marc. Over the years the BOC has been blessed with Bulletin and Newsletter editors who have ensured quality, variety and substance in our publications. Marc, during his time at the helm, has moved the Bulletin to the point where it regularly ends in the top three of the Car Club magazine awards each year. His eye for detail and design has set the editorial bar very high and Club members, I’m sure, will join me in thanking Marc for his contributions to date and in wishing him a speedy and full recovery from his current travails. This edition of the Bulletin has been pulled together in a short couple of weeks with the invaluable help of the Chairman, the President, a number of members both here in the UK and overseas and by Marc Atkinson himself. This is the first edition we have created with our new publication partner, Quorum Print Services Ltd. Quorum has an excellent reputation within the car club fraternity and

its management and staff have been extremely helpful in the production of this current edition. Marc was instrumental in deciding the new layout and design formats for the Bulletin, in conjunction with Quorum, so his legacy continues.

Needless to say, BCL’s recent Bullet announcement features strongly in this edition. Everyone within the Bristol Owners’ Club wishes the company well with its current initiative and with the alternative-engine vehicle planned for the future. We all benefit if the manufacturer succeeds and we wish them well with this endeavour. A number of recent and high-profile club events are also described in this current Bulletin and I’m grateful to all the members who have written and contributed articles recently and over the past few months. The Bulletin only succeeds if there are sufficient articles of general interest for the members to enjoy - so do not be surprised if a future Editor should get in touch with you and asks for a write-up or photographs or an article of some sort!

I suspect that, along with most other members, I really look forward to receiving my copy of the Bulletin and to catching up with the major events, news and goings-on of the BOC. I view the Bulletin as a reflection of the BOC membership itself and thus the priorities, values and traditions of our fine Club. Long may it so remain.

Finally, if the content, layout, graphics and general editing quality of this edition are not up to Marc’s exacting standards, you must put all this down to me and the haste with which this copy has been created. We have been most anxious to get a Bulletin out to the membership as quickly as we could. Notwithstanding the circumstances under which I have come to this task - the unfortunate medical condition of the Bulletin editor and the Machiavellian arm-twisting tactics of our esteemed Chairman - I have enjoyed putting this edition together and sincerely hope you enjoy it too.

Anthony Spooner, temporary Editor

4

From the Chair

ANOTHER BUSY

seasonFirstly, an apology: you should by now have had two Bulletin’s already this year but I am afraid that, due to illness (see Anthony’s editorial), this has not happened.

We now have plans in place to rectify this for the future however and I am hopeful that we will get at least one more edition to you

between now and the end of the year.

It has been a busy year in the club and there are still more events to come. One of these events is new and not in the calendar - a “Chairman’s Dinner” in the North. This is currently in the planning stages, but will take place in the Leeds/Harrogate area in late November and, subject to the response this year, we would like to make it a fixture for future years. This event will be in addition to the regular Chairman’s Dinner held each year at the RAC in Pall Mall, with the aim of giving members a choice of venue.

You will all be pleased to hear that work has finally started on the development of the new website. We have now appointed and are working with a Manchester-based web development company called Adapt Studios. It is planned to have the “public” pages up and running before Christmas, along with the renewals section of the membership pages, and then with other functions to follow in the New Year.

I would like to mention here the hard work that Christopher Smithies has put into the club’s website over the years, and his continued support and help now that the site is being redeveloped. His knowledge of how the club functions has been invaluable to the new developers. Due to financial constraints we will be continuing the development of the site over the next couple of years, gradually adding additional functionality. This will allow us to spread the cost over three years rather than absorbing it all into one.

Adapt Studios will also be taking over the day to day running of the website and will deal with any maintenance and software updates as required.

Of course the big news this year has been the launch by Bristol Cars of the new car, the “Bullet”. The launch seems to have gone well and those who

attended the Concours will now have seen it in the flesh (as it were). Let’s hope it’s a success, as its success can only reflect well on the brand as a whole, and of course on our cars.

Finally, there will be a number of changes taking place in the Committee over the coming months, and I will detail these to the membership in due course. Suffice to say we have recruited some new blood and have expanded the committee to give us the opportunity to split current roles, and indeed to create a couple of the new roles which we now need. These changes again are taking place as part of the Futures Project and are a response to feedback from the membership on what you want from the club in the future.

So it’s all positive news.Mark Alford, Chairman

5

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7

Last year the Bristol Owners’ Club were one of only three classic car clubs to be invited to exhibit at the London Classic Car show at the ExCel in Docklands.

For 2016 the organisers clearly saw the benefit of adding a separate hall for classic car clubs to the event and, as a result, we were provided

with a large stand for very little cost. This offer was impossible to refuse and made attending the event unavoidable, even though it was a bit of a last minute offer.

A very big thank you is due to Turplin Dixon and to Mike Thatcher for taking hold of the opportunity and for making it all happen for the club - and also to those who volunteered to display their cars. We had five beauties on the stand: a Cooper Bristol, a 402, a 403, a 404 and a 412 - each of which had had huge amounts of polish applied so that each look simply stunning.

We were on the far right-hand side of the Classic Car Club Hall, which included the Jaguar Club, Jensen Club and a few others. In the main hall were all the classic car trade stands, including cars for sale, and also the runway where cars were driven on display. It’s really not clear if the organisers quite have the mix right yet for the event, but this is all still quite new and the organisers are planning another for next year, so we shall see how this all develops.

Our stand had a consistently high number of visitors throughout the three days and the cars were very much admired with, of course, the usual stories of “my dad had one of those” or “the first car I ever drove in was a Bristol”. Some of the stories were really very interesting indeed and it’s always good to hear of people’s experiences and history with these great cars. We also had quite a few enthusiastic club members come to the stand and a number of Bristol owners who were not yet in the club visited us as well. So, all in all, the event was very worthwhile and, subject to cost, we plan on attending the ExCel again in 2017.

The Excel London 19th – 21st February 2016

LONDON CLASSIC

Car Show

BRISTOL OWNERS’ CLUB CONCOURS

SHELSLEY WALSH The auguries from fair Hibernia on the eve of the Concours were dire. A Bristol drive through the Wicklow mountains had had to be postponed by 24 hours due to high winds and torrential rain. The augurs foretold that in 24 hours Shelsley Walsh would be subject to the same conditions. Report and Photographs from the President

21 AUGUST 2016

9

The Concours weekend started well with an excellent dinner at the “Cottage in the Wood” in Malvern, as always, ably organised by Liz Alford. 25 cars and 50 guests negotiated the terrifying hairpin, which is the point of

access, and we ate most satisfactorily, if noisily.

Much the same could be said of the Concours itself! Shelsley were holding a hill climb competition in the background. So incredibly loud cars, with incredibly powerful engines were climbing the 1,000 yards in incredibly fast times, topping out at over 140 mph, with a large and enthusiastic audience in attendance. They had allocated the BOC pole position for parking and unusually, although mostly all together, we were surrounded by a huge array of other cars of every shape and hue, including a gold Rolls Royce.

With great generosity, Bristol Cars Ltd laid on a lavish lunch for the members. For a chap with a sweet tooth the puddings were a delight! BCL also brought along the Bullet, which had pride of place under its own gazebo and looked very fetching. Needless to say it drew admiring glances throughout the day.

It was an absolute pleasure to have Syd Lovesey with us. I believe he will be 97 in October, but what a trouper he is and present on the day to award the “Syd Lovesey Trophy”. As always, it was also a tremendous pleasure to have our patron Sir George and his effervescent wife Lady White with us. Joanna White presented the Lady White Trophy to the car with the “Most Travelled Bristol Dust” (Jon Dyke’s 401).

As sometimes happens, even at Delphi, the augurs were a little out in their timing. Just as we were leaving there was some slight drizzle, not even enough to put the top up for, but otherwise the day held fair and warm.

A huge thank you to Turps and Geof and their team for the Concours organisation and to Jim McPhee and his team for their judging. Without them of course the Concours could not happen. It is a sometimes thankless task but believe me one which is greatly appreciated.

“So incredibly loud cars, with incredibly powerful engines were climbing the 1,000 yards in incredibly fast times, topping out at over 140 mph, with a large and enthusiastic audience in attendance.”

Left: Syd Lovesey with Lady White

10

Class Trophy Name Type Reg.no.

1 Gandalph Trophy Jim G Roland 400 HDF 86

2 Anthony Crook Robert Mann 403 926 XUF

3 Filton Chris Sherwood 405DH YJH 3

4 Ralph Hewitt - - -

5 Levine Guy Hinchley 408 KBD 40C

6 Dudley Rylett Memorial Ian Warrener 411s2 HMT 93K

7 Bristol Nigel Wulco Beaufighter PPJ 274W

8 Dudley Hobbs David John Kilduff Blenheim 3 V428 EYB

9 Elite Mike Wilcox 401 MFF 938

10 Brian May Trophy - - -

11 Members Andrew Mitchell Special 16 APM

12 Colonel Grey Andrew Blatherwick 401 GEA 727

Treasurer's David Jones 405 273 KOF

Syd Lovesey Chris Sherwood 405DH YJH 3

Lady White Trophy Jon Dyke 401 JUK 960

11

Concours 2016 Members present

Reg.No. Type Owner

YLA544G 410 Simpson

DYH897J 411 Leigh

GLF418J 411s2 Billington

HMT93K 411s2 Warrener

LYY180K 411s2 Smith

UMD42L 411s3 Brown

CTC242M 411s4 Rouse

VLO737M 411s4 Bernard

WLX762M 411s4 Reynolds

LLB95P 411s5 Unknown

MAE790P 411s5 Blackham

NYF813P 411s5 Svensson

SSC229P 411s5 Brooks

FJK22X 412 Alford

ARF898T 412s2 Kent

WWB682S 412s2 Greenleaf

DLW4T 603 Dixon

4981H 603 Kingston

603EOW 603 Unknown

603LOJ 603 Smithies

PPJ274W Beaufighter Wulcko

MSV806 Blenheim Howse

V428EYB Blenheim Kilduff

W174PHW Blenheim May

99LXY Blenheim Levine

B32YOU Brigand Taylor

A166VYF Britannia Montgomery

LJ65TTX Bullet BCL

16APM Mitchell Special Mitchell

Concours 2016 Members present

Reg.No. Type Owner

HDF46 400 Rowland

LBH448 400 Sherwood

MSV168 400 Speed

SMG117 400 Sir G White

THX383 400 Schofield

TMH182 400 Cembrowicz

FF8495 401 Blackwood

GEA727 401 Blatherwick

JUK960 401 Dyke

MFF938 401 Wilcox

SPF11 401 Campbell

UML548 401 Taylor

WXY891 403 Campion

138UYS 403 Boyes

926XUF 403 Mann

VPC880 404 Saddler

UHT405 405 Hughes

273KOF 405 Jones

YJH3 405DH Sherwood

10DPG 405DH Herdman

VTK722 406 Wilks

406HAR 406 Russell

668SPA 406 Scott-Hayward

138WPJ 406Z Hamshere

348YUP 406Z Underwood

KBD40C 408 Hinchley

XUY102G 410 Lawson

LCT315F 410 Horton

SPG602F 410 Hathaway

Dr Hannah Goodman reports on four Bristols lined up at the RAC Epsom ready to undertake the Beaujolais Run on Monday 16 November. Three of the Bristols were novices, one had previous experience. Photographs by Hannah Goodman and Adrian Berry.

BRISTOLS TRIUMPH ON THE

BEAUJOLAIS RUN

13

Each team had to provide a team name for their car – so we had Electric Blue from the

McGarveys (in keeping with the colour of their car), Blue Streak from our illustrious chairman (guess the colour of his car), Team Spooner from you-know-who and the Bouncing Bristol Bunnies from the Berrys (this is what happens if you let your husband be creative).

So how did this all come about? Well, on the 18th November 1970, at the Hotel Maritonnes in Romanèche-Thorins, just north of Lyons, Joseph Berkmann and Clement Freud were sharing a dinner of ‘Coq au Vin’. Owner of eight London restaurants, Berkmann also ran his own wine distribution company and wrote a weekly column for The Sunday Times. Clement Freud was a director of the London Playboy Club, a respected Member of Parliament and the wine correspondent for The Sun.

As bottle succeeded bottle that night the germ of an idea took shape. Sometime after midnight, they roared away from Romanèche with several cases of Beaujolais in the back of each car - having challenged each other to be the first to get their cases to London.

That year and the next, the race was a purely private affair between Berkmann and Freud. Berkmann won on both occasions. Having taken potshots at each other, through their respective wine columns, word got around that something interesting was going on. Others subsequently rushed to join in and The Beaujolais Run was born.

In 1973 Alan Hall, columnist for The Sunday Times, published an article that threw down the

14

would have translated into various Naploeons, Josephines, Welligtons and the members of Abba running around towns between Rheims and Macon trying to find specific locations! Rob took the decision that fancy dress should not be worn throughout the navigation day, but could be worn at the last night’s black-tie dinner. Some of us were very grateful.

So, to go back to the beginning. The 2015 run began at the RAC Club, Epsom on Monday 16 November, where we were warmly welcomed by the organiser and our Patron, John Surtees, with bacon butties and bucks fizz. We also received a limited edition car coat by John Partridge & Co, to keep us warm and dry and cosy on the trip. Following a minute’s silence to honour the dead in Paris, we were joined by a film crew from Channel 4 who were filming a new food programme and had made delicious truffle and potato canapes especially for us. We were waved away by John Surtees to follow a route to the Channel Tunnel via the Captains Hill at the RAC, which had been opened up specifically for us. Some tackled the hill with gusto, others were more circumspect. The dropheads even had their roofs down for the journey as it was a nice bright day.

An uneventful journey to Folkestone followed and all made it with plenty of time to spare. The Channel Tunnel terminal, however, was almost deserted. Rob had arranged for all of us to be transported in the high vehicle carriages. It was a delightful surprise when he appeared with a glass of Taittinger

gauntlet to Fleet Street to “Bring Back the Beaujolais”, offering a prize of Champagne for the first to deliver a bottle of the new Beaujolais vintage to his desk. At that time the object of the exercise was speed - but this was brought to an end by the RAF, who later took up the challenge in a Harrier jump jet and, needless to say, broke all records!

The Beaujolais Run has subsequently evolved to become an enjoyable navigational shootout through a cryptic checkpoint course which begins at a location in the UK and ends in deepest Burgundy. This format showcases the best the UK and France has to offer and ensures that Austin and Aston Martin, Jaguar and Jalpa, Maserati, Morris, Bristol and Bentley can all compete on a level playing field.

Maps, sat navs and laptops are all acceptable modes of navigation on the event.

The primary aim of the Beaujolais Run these days is to raise money for the Air Ambulance Service through the Henry Surtees Foundation, a UK charity inspired by the memory of John Surtees’ late son Henry who was tragically killed in an accident at Brands Hatch in 2009.

The Beaujolais Run attracts an impressive array of teams piloting classic cars, 4x4s, kit cars, specialist cars, daily drives and touring motorcycles. Whilst the Run celebrates a marque each year, teams do not have to own or drive that marque to enter. Last year the celebrated marque was Bristol.

Each year there is also a theme and, as this was 2015, the year’s theme was Waterloo and the bicentenary of the famous battle. Rob Bellinger, the Beaujolais Run Director, sent out a series of wonderful missives in tune with the theme. The Run was to go from England to Antwerp (Napoleon’s favourite Belgian City), through to Waterloo, Rheims, Macon for the night of the Beaujolais Nouveau launch, back to Rheims and then to home.

Teams compete for the honour of achieving P1 on the grid the following year (highest fundraising team) and P2 (the team that covers the shortest distance on the navigational trial). Whilst not giving too much away too early in this article your Bristol contingent did the marque proud!

The tragic events of Friday 13 November in Paris last year did have some bearing on the ‘Run. The participants are traditionally encouraged to don fancy dress for the day of the cryptic checkpoint competition and with the theme of the event being Waterloo this

Left: Enjoying a glass or two of Taittinger champagne.

15

From Waterloo we experienced a leisurely journey through the Ardennes to Rheims and a delightful visit to the Taittinger caves, a tour of their cellars and a tasting of their champagne.

Champagne Taittinger is in Place Saint-Nicaise, but only houses 2m of their 25m bottles of champagne - but it was well worth the visit. The cellars are constructed on the remains of one of the many old Roman chalk quarries. As we were guided through the vast cellars the process of making the champagne was explained, in particular the turning of the bottles towards the end of their maturing process to release the sediment into the neck of the bottle. At the caves in Saint-Nicaise this is still done manually!

Following the tour we had a delightful tasting session and then the opportunity to purchase some of the product. Suffice it to say the opportunity was not missed. We were also given the first clue for the next day’s navigational challenge. All the clues would have a connection with Napoleon e.g. his favourite wine, his favourite cheese etc.

On to the Novotel in Rheims for R&R and more drinking of champagne at the bar. Some ventured into the town, others stayed and took the opportunity of an early night.

Wednesday saw us all back at Taittinger early in the morning (before 08:00) where, having solved the first clue, we lined up “sans fancy dress” to go forth to find our first rendezvous: a hill with a giant bottle of champagne and a glass in a town called Avizé ... but not before we had been given some more vintage Taittinger to sample.

Bouncing Bristol Bunnies had opted for the map category in the challenge, rather than our other colleagues from the BOC who chose the Sat Nav option. The only trouble with the map option was knowing which road we were on to begin with, as the French are not known for advertising their road numbers except at roundabouts. Luckily the driver knew his south from his north and over-ruled the navigator to ensure we were heading in the right direction.

On arriving in the small town of Avizé we had to try to find the giant bottle of champagne. Spotting hills to the west we ventured forth and after only one false move managed to find a road to the top of the hill, and there on our left was the giant bottle and glass. There could be no mistake. So, as instructed, the driver did his best Napoleon impression, complete with hat.

Whilst we were lining up for the shot we were joined by the Spooners who had taken a slightly different route to Avizé courtesy of their sat nav. Open next clue, solve it and head for wine tasting in Chablis.

The route from Avizé to Chablis was wonderful, with long sweeping French Roads and no traffic. We appeared to make good progress as we arrived at the premises of Simmonet Fevbre some 45 mins before anyone else and from an entirely different direction; this enabled the navigator to take the requisite picture i.e. pretending to be a wine expert and, more

champagne for each of us – suffice to say this navigator (pictured on previous page) also had their driver’s share. It soon became apparent that the Beaujolais Run might actually involve more champagne drinking that Beaujolais Nouveau drinking!

Calais to Antwerp is never the best journey in the world and our experience was no exception. An accident in the Kennedy Tunnel held up traffic for over an hour, and those of us in old classic cars had to find an alternative route order in to keep the temperature needle below the danger point. Skilful re-organising of the timetable meant that we were still able to enjoy a wonderful meal in a local restaurant. The wine flowed, the frites kept coming and all was well with the world - until some of us got hopelessly lost walking the 5 minutes back to the hotel. Tuesday dawned bright and clear and we all made our way to Waterloo and the Butte de Lion. Well almost all of us; a Ferrari got lost and had to be given directions over the phone. For those of you who have not visited the sight of the Battle of Waterloo it is well worth the visit. Mark Alford had taken some of the Bristols earlier in the year whilst on the Luxembourg trip, but since then a new visitor centre has been built and they have really tarted up the place. Some (but by no means all) of us even ventured up the top of the Butte to look at the tapestry of fields that made up the historic battleground.

Above: Visiting the site of the Battle of Waterloo. Below: A tour of Taittinger caves and their cellars finishing off with a tasting of their champagne.

16

Burgundian tiled roof in the background. Getting to Nuit St George was easy, finding the church of St Denis was not, as although we could see a church with a wonderful tiled roof, we had no way of knowing if this was St Denis. After we had driven round the town twice we parked up and headed for the Tourist Information office before trying to take the obligatory picture in front of the correct church.

And so to Macon on the motorway to get ready for the evening celebrations of the Beaujolais Nouveau in the town of Beaujeu. Beaujeu is the first of the Beaujolais towns to celebrate the new vintage, and does this by releasing the new wine at midnight on the third Thursday in November, a day before anyone else. Having been bussed to Beaujeu, we joined the mayor of the town and partook of food and wine whilst being entertained by an amazing cabaret. Singers, dancers, acrobats and conjurors; it had to be seen to be believed. The most bizarre of the acts was the conjuror who kept producing animals from a small cardboard box. A dove, cats and dogs of varying shapes and sizes, ducks and even a goat.

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any more weird, a group took to the stage dressed all in white

importantly, taste the Crémant in advance of the cellar tour and purchase a case before anyone else turned up.

From Chablis the clues took us to Époisses, along yet more wonderful French roads and the turret of the chateau where the driver had to do his interpretation of Abba. Luckily my Abba outfit included a blonde wig so Adrian dutifully donned it and posed as a “Dancing Queen”.

Next stop was Gevrey Chambertin and the journey was breathtaking in the scenery. Our only issue was the low winter sun which made reading the map and navigating the roads very difficult at times. Early Farina sun visors are not made for such weather. Once in Gevrey Chambertin we had to find the entrance to the Domaine de Chateau where the navigator had to do their best impression of Wellington leading the charge at Waterloo. Napoleon’s hat was draped on one of the trees and a stick waved at it by yours truly. Luckily Rob and his team arrived just as we had finished making fools of ourselves, but we gave much amusement to the locals.

The last of the clues took us to Nuit St George and the church of St Denis to photograph the navigator pretending to be a pigeon, with the magnificent

Left: The driver doing his best Napoleon impression, complete with hat. Above: Adrian dutifully donning his blonde ABBA wig, posed as a “Dancing Queen”.

17

spoke about some of the stranger things he had auctioned, and also some of the most exclusive. Patron John Surtees waxed lyrical about his time at Ferrari and his love of Champagne. The attention then turned to the charity auction where some amazing lots fell under Malcolm Barber’s gavel.

It was then time for the prize giving. Considering that we had arrived at at least two of the checkpoints from entirely different directions to everyone else, and driven round Nuits St George twice, Bouncing Bristol Bunnies was expecting to get the wooden spoon for the team who took the longest route. It came as a major surprise to come out as the winners of the Map category and apparently to have also beaten the Sat Nav guys on the mileage count.

But the success of the Bristols did not end there. Team Spooner won the P1 Sponsorship award for raising the most money for charity.

Electric Blue (the McGarveys) won the Spirit of the Run award. The Bristols had well and truly taken on the Beaujolais Run and had won!

Friday dawned grey and damp which was a shame as a trip to the Reims-Gueux race course (or what remains of it) had been arranged. We manfully made our way there and did a circuit in the wet before turning to the motorway and making our way back to Blighty.

The Beaujolais Run is certainly an event that can be enjoyed by any member of the club regardless of your car provenance or your own rally experience. There was no stress in driving (and a lot of champagne drinking) and for those using the sat nav option, very few marital disputes. We recommend that if you want to have some fun, see how the French celebrate the Beaujolais, go to places and do things that “money can’t buy” then sign up and have fun!

and lit by luminous strip lighting – this was the signal for the start of the main Beaujolais Nouveau activity.

This group, including three on stilts, toured the marquee playing their instruments like a New Orleans jazz band. They then led the entire audience on a torch-lit procession to the local Domaine Chateau and we all joined in, holding wax torches and walking under a magnificent laser display

Once we arrived at the square we were treated to yet more cabaret as the minutes counted down to midnight and the introduction of the winners of a competition. The competition runner-up won his weight in Nouveau Beaujolais, but we have no idea what the competition was nor what was the first prize! Just before midnight, a tap on a giant barrel of wine was opened and the local “President” was asked to taste the wine. “C’est vin, c’est rouge, c’est Beaujolais!”, was his verdict. The bells chimed midnight and fireworks exploded.

Nouveau Beaujolais was then available to the masses. We spent the next hour taking in the atmosphere and sampling the local wines (and water). It was an experience that we were very pleased to have taken part in, and one which had to be seen to be believed. The pictures do not do it justice!

Following the late night, or more precisely early morning, we made a leisurely journey on the Thursday from Macon back to Rheims for a sumptuous dinner at Tailltinger’s Chateau De La Marquetterie. Here we were plied with 5 different champagnes (an aperitif of Comtes de Champagne was followed by Prelude, Folie de La Marquetterie, Domaine Carneros and Nocturne Rose) accompanying a different course of the meal.

Competitors were able to wear their fancy dress for dinner if they so wished, and there were some amazing sights to behold. The McGarveys ensured that the Bristols were well represented and had made an effort to reproduce a Josephine and Napoleon which will be forever remembered.

To our surprise and delight, Rob had arranged with Bristol Cars Ltd to reward all the Bristol contingent with a gift, as a “thank you” for bringing our vehicles in celebration of the marque.

During dinner Malcolm Barber from Bonhams

Bottom left to right: The bizarre conjuror who kept conjouring up animals of various sizes from a small cardboard box; Things gets even more wierd when a group take to the stage dressed all in white and lit by luminous strip lighting; Torch-lit procession to the local Domaine Chateau; shocked and surprised to win the Map category; Team Spooner win the P1 Sponsorship award for raising the most money for charity.

Longstone Tyres half page.indd 1 14/09/2016 14:19

4 Newopaul Way, Warminster Business Park, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 8RYTelephone: 01985 847133 Email: [email protected] www.Spencer-LJ.com

19

The jury is composed of nine members - eight permanent judges like me, plus one Honorary Judge - this year it was Mr Patrick

Rollet, the President of FIVA. We are split in three groups for the judging of three Classes each. My two teammates in the Jury for our three Classes were Harm Lagaaj and Lord Charles March. BTW we had a good time with all the Judges also when the Jury duties were finished!

There was a Bristol-engined car taking part in the Concorso, a very nice AC Aceca modified by Aigle in Switzerland. Lord March, on seeing my 403, made some complimentary remarks about her and said that his grandfather always drove Bristols! I found this quite charming. At the end, the ‘Best in Show’, the most important prize of the Concorso, was awarded by the Jury on Sunday evening to a gorgeous 1954 Maserati A6GCS Pininfarina coupé.

Obviously I drove the 403 to and from Villa d’Este and it was a nice journey as we didn’t experience any serious problems apart from some fogging issue while queuing for fuel under heavy rain Monday morning in Cernobbio (there were other free pumps but I wanted the 100-octane fuel...), and the annoying

malfunctioning of the windscreen wipers. As I had driven the 403 until now in more or less sunny and dry conditions, I hadn’t really tested the wipers yet. When it began to rain during the Thursday trip to Cernobbio, and rain rapidly turned into heavy downpours, my wipers proved absolutely not up to the task of cleaning the 403’s flat windscreen. The passenger’s side wiper gave up completely after a while, due to the arm disengaging itself from its pin.

Another strange trouble is the no.2 spark plug getting very dirty and thus not firing, making the car go on 5 cylinders. It was dirty before beginning the journey and the mechanics cleaned it swapping it anyway with no.1 plug; it worked perfectly for the 350 miles round trip, then when I took the 403 out again it fouled again. The oil consumption is negligible, so we are wondering why it happens ... the 403 has electronic ignition and new cables, so an electrical trouble in this respect is unlikely. They will do a compression check today, so we’ll see what they found, but having no oil consumption during the 350 miles trip I would not expect big surprises (fingers crossed).

As you surely know, the Concorso d’Eleganza, Villa d’Este was held during the weekend of 20-22 May. I was honoured to be invited this year to join the Jury. Letter from Stefano Pasini

THE CONCORSO D’ELEGANZA AT THE

Villa d’Este

Above: Stefano Pasini spot on the Jury seating. Top right: Stefano Pasini’s 403 at Villa d’Este. Right: The stunning location of the Villa d’Este.

20

5TH-7TH AUGUST

It’s August, so it must be time for our annual trip to Schloss Dyck! We have now attended this German rally for three years running and it’s been noticeable how the quality of the event has improved each year. Report and photographs from Thomas Alford

THE SCHLOSS DYCK WEEKEND

This year we had close to twenty Bristols in attendance including day visitors. These Bristol beauties came from as far afield as Switzerland and Sweden, in addition to

those from the relatively close-by Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and the UK. This diversity of European representation is one of the great aspects of this event.

This is a very relaxed affair overall, and every year we have had great weather. This year was a little cooler than last, which was actually quite pleasant. Three days in 35+ degrees can get uncomfortable, notwithstanding the potential suntan possibility.

The event officially starts at Schloss Dyck on Saturday, but there is a prologue rally on the Friday and we had signed up for this in our 405DH. The rally this year was somewhat longer than last year’s, and took us across some great driving roads around the German/Dutch border.

The only real issues were that all instructions were in German and the organisers had decided to introduce cryptic clues (treasure hunt style) this year. Well of course if you don’t speak or read a word of German then this can be a bit of a handicap.

We decided therefore that if we couldn’t win the Prologue then at the very least we would be first on the road. So, having quickly overtaken about six cars

we found ourselves behind a very hot Fiat Abarth. It performed like a jet-propelled roller skate and, although we could keep up with it, we couldn’t get past on the winding roads. The Abarth driver had, however, decided to answer all the questions set in the German instructions, so as soon as he slowed down to check out a clue we flew past and were gone!

Adrian and Hannah Berry were behind us in their 400 Farina, and I think we can safely say they were as committed to getting first to the finish line as we were. Indeed, when pulling out of one junction there was a dramatic squeal of tyres as Adrian aimed to get ahead of a tractor with a long queue of traffic already behind it. Oh well, I’m sure their 400 can cope, having attended the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio already this year!

It was, as ever, a great fun weekend and we greatly enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, good food, good company, wonderful cars - and great German beer. The location is exceptional and easy to reach, and the number of fine classic cars on display from all over Europe is truly remarkable. We are already planning on attending next year too.

This has become increasingly popular as a Bristol-related event with BOC members, and we very much hope we can continue this excellent trend over the next few years.

21

THE SCHLOSS DYCK WEEKEND

22

BRISTOL CARS UNVEILED

BULLETAt long last, the wait is over. On July 28th, Bristol Cars unveiled BULLET. We unveiled the prototype in full at Coworth Park, to a select group of the world’s motoring media – the response was immediate and the interest was strong, as the covers came off, the message was clear, Bristol is back. From Ian Wallace of BCL, and photos by Tim Scott, Classic Driver and Bristol Cars

From the manufacturer

From the manufacturer 23

“... the wings, bonnet scoop and front grill are all instantly recognisable in their lineage”

BULLET is a reintroduction of the Bristol brand to the marketplace after a ten year hiatus and very much a Bristol for the modern age. A bold, rapid, unique and yet understated vehicle, it showcases our heritage as a

company whilst paving the way for models to come.

The design draws heavily on some of the more iconic models from our past; the wings, bonnet scoop and front grill are all instantly recognisable in their lineage, whilst the finely sculpted rear wings not only reference the more recognisable two litre models of the past, but also add a visual clue to our roots as an aeroplane manufacturer for those less familiar with the brand. Whilst the design is a clear reference to our history, it is blended with modern twists, designed to instil a visual tension. The deep swage lines that dissect the flanks, sit against the flowing forms of the tapered rear, creating a sense of drama and motion, even when the car is stationary.

Faithful to our tradition of hand construction, and yet in a departure from our traditional material of aluminium, BULLET is clothed in carbon fibre. Where once aluminium was the material of choice for light weight, high-strength structures, now the use of bespoke carbon composites has allowed the designers to create forms and shapes that would be impossible in metal. Where metals are used, high grade aluminium is preferred, only the roll-hoop structures are made in steel. As is the Bristol way, a separate chassis construction has been used for BULLET, rather than a monocoque. The bonded aluminium and carbon fibre hybrid structure chassis, bespoke to Bristol Cars and developed by a traditional aluminium manufacturer in the UK, has been tuned to allow a high degree of sporting agility, driver feedback and above all, comfort at speed.

We are delighted to have rekindled a marriage with BMW, and have chosen the 4.8 litre V8 engine as the power plant for BULLET. This naturally aspirated unit, which is finished in house and mated to a bespoke exhaust system, develops over 370 BHP, and 490 Nm of torque, which makes for staggering

performance, with effortless cruising. As our last petrol powered car, what better way to celebrate our long history of strong power plants than such a glorious and free revving unit. Described as having near atomic levels of power, we have christened it “Hercules”, in reference to the radial engines of old.

With such power on tap, it was clear to the designers that, as was always the case with Bristol, the driver should have a cosseting and well laid out environment from which to enjoy the car. The iconic Bristol instrument binnacle remains, and in a nod to the past, an engine hours meter has been included. The deep doors and high waist line of the car keep the environment calm, even at speed, and the sports seating has been contoured for support and comfort over long distances. Most surfaces are hand trimmed in the finest British hides, and for

BRISTOL CARS UNVEILED

BULLET

24 From the manufacturer

BULLET

25From the manufacturer

BULLET

26 From the manufacturer

the dashboard, a choice of carbon fibres, metals and wooden veneers is available. Whilst maintainging a traditional feel and look, BULLET is at the forefront of infotainment technology. A discrete touch screen set into the dashboard offers digital radio and smart phone connectivity, the BULLET application gives the car both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, with screen mirroring from permitted devices allowing the driver and passenger seamless use of their preferred navigation and audio sources. A concierge service is offered with the car.

With the order books now open, we have scheduled production to begin in early 2017, from our new production facility on the south coast. Deposits are being taken to reserve one of the 70 limited chassis, and we will be looking to deliver the first completed cars by the spring. Whilst BULLET is already fully specified, leaving only the merest few possible options to add, the owners will be invited to attend the build process at various key stages, should they so wish.

BULLET has been shown already at Salon Prive, and will soon be on show at the RAC clubhouse on Pall Mall in London, however the showroom in Kensington remains open as ever for viewings at all other times, and Bristol Owners Club members are invited to view the car at their convenience.

From the manufacturer 27

28 FHBVC Newser

ReportFHBVC

UK LEGISLATION

Registration MattersThere has continued to be an impasse with the DVLA continuing to take body styling into account when deciding to reject requests via the V765 for requests for a “date related” registration mark. While this does not in general affect the Bristol world, some of us may find ourselves in the happy situation of discovering a barn find that has lain undetected for many years, and then because it is no longer on the DVLA’s database, having to apply to get it re-registered.

A Consultation document from 2005 issued by the DVLA refers in several places to ‘chassis/monocoque bodyshell’. Sometimes the reference is also to the ‘frame’ of a motorcycle. It is obvious from the context that these are regarded as alternatives. In each case a vehicle under consideration will have a chassis (which in all but early cases will be numbered), or a monocoque bodyshell, (which will essentially always be numbered) or, if it is a motorcycle it will have a frame (which will usually have a number). It can’t have more than one. One, and only one, of these three alternative components, constitutes the identity of the vehicle. That is why it is regarded as vital. This important point seems to have got lost. In respect of vehicles other than motorcycles, it rather looks as if the significance of the words ‘monocoque’ and ‘shell’ has not been recognised and assessments are being made on the basis of the body. Nothing in the consultation justifies examination of the body style or construction of a vehicle whose identity is contained in its chassis.It is mechanical components which are supposed to be identified. After much toing and froing, with the DVLA continuing to state that nothing has changed in the DVLA process, the FBHVC has eventually been able to unearth the Ministry of Transport’s ‘Handbook regarding the Taxation and Registration of Mechanically Propelled Vehicles the Licensing of Drivers and Related Matters’. This is the instruction to local authorities as to how they should handle their registration and licensing responsibilities. Paragraph 303 (2) deserves to be quoted at length: ‘The most reasonable assumption is that the chassis constitutes

the vehicle and that the chassis consists not only of the frame but also front and rear axles, gears, steering and transmission units. [A] change of body... does not by itself constitute a change of identity.’ Paragraph 303 (5) makes clear that this is not the case with a monocoque bodyshell so the distinction between the two is clear.

The FBHVC has now marshalled all of the evidence that it has found and has set it all out in a detailed Policy Paper which has been submitted to the Ministry and the DVLA for their consideration.

Insurance Values and Write-offsThe little lamented Vehicle Identity Check process has now come to an end. First initiated at the request of enthusiastic policemen who thought it would expose many stolen and ‘cut and shut’ vehicles, it has proved remarkably unsuccessful. It is a justified victim of the Government’s war on Red Tape. But a little known consequence is that DVLA has announced that any vehicle which is a Category A or B write-off under the Insurance Industry’s Code of Practice will never be able to be re-registered. You can understand why, on safety grounds, they might decide to do so. The problem for us is that the Code somewhat confuses safety and cost of repairs. It is all too easy to find that the cost of repairs of a cherished vehicle could exceed by some margin the actual market value of the vehicle. As we know, this might be not only a matter of love and affection for the vehicle, but have a real relationship to the perceived historic value of the vehicle now, or in the future. We have been looking into this issue with DVLA and the Department for Transport. It is early days yet, but one simple piece of advice seems apt.

Until you agree a settlement with the insurance company, the vehicle is yours. It is your property and they cannot scrap it without your consent. Many specialist insurance policies allow for the return of the vehicle remains (which may in fact be very little damaged). It is important to ensure, if you intend to rebuild the vehicle at your own cost, or at a cost above the insurance company’s valuation, that it does not nevertheless get involved in being ‘written-off ’. Not all inspection engineers are ‘historic aware’ and they

BOC representative to the FHBVC Adrian Berry brings us up to speed with the latest legislation affecting historic cars.

29FHBVC News

TRADE AND SKILLS

Vehicle Restoration Apprenticeship Scheme

is one year old!The second year at Bicester College has seen a step

change in numbers with a further 10 apprentices starting

the Level 2 course and 20 new full time students being

taught the course. With a total of 40 students the issue

now is space, as the classic course shares the facility with

Motorsport. With a further year’s intake and those in

the last year of Level 2 going on to Level 3, where they

specialise, it has become obvious that new premises will

be necessary. The plan is to run the course from a new

facility in the heart of Bicester Heritage. Students taught

classic vehicle restoration surrounded by restorers and

classic cars has got to be the best possible combination

and the concept fitted perfectly with the vision of Bicester

Heritage. Everybody has now bought into the plan and

the Engine Test Shed at Bicester Heritage is now going to

be the new home for the Bicester College Classic Vehicle

Apprenticeship Scheme. Exciting times and with plans

to increase the student numbers to 100, a look at block

release and short adult courses the future for Bicester looks

very good.If you know any restorers that are still concerned about

employing an apprentice then think again. These are young

people who bring portfolios of their work to the interview and

just want the chance to work on their passion - classic cars.

Many work alongside family on their classic car and many

have already got a vehicle of their own to work on. As P &

A Wood found when they advertised for eight apprentices,

they had over 70 applications and the apprentices they

have are outstanding. The college can help with the

recruitment of an apprentice so what about training your

replacement and making sure your skills live on?

do sometimes wrongly apply modern and inapplicable approaches to their inspections. You might be left with a bag of bits you can’t use again as a vehicle. Insurance companies and brokers are picking up on this problem and the best of them should not fall into the trap. But sometimes the solution for a damaged vehicle might actually be to refuse the settlement and let the insurance company walk, while you keep your beloved vehicle and fix it entirely at your cost. Not easy, but be aware it is a possibility. Some insurance companies seem to be a little unclear as to their freedom of considering all aspects prior to the decision to write off a vehicle and are assuming a higher level of legal obligation than is exactly the case.

Meanwhile, there is a potential issue that you should be aware of. There is a presumption that a vehicle which is inundated in a flood must be written off. While this probably makes complete sense for a contemporary vehicle stuffed full of electronics, it is questionable in the case of older vehicles, which may be little affected. Please be aware of this in any communications with your insurers if you are unfortunate enough to suffer this fate. The FBHVC will continue to monitor the situation.

Roadworthiness Testing Directive (MoT)The FBHVC have received a few reports of difficulty being experienced with the new MoT test online system if the chassis/frame number of the vehicle contained characters other than alpha/numeric(e.g. ‘/’ and ‘-’). Whilst it took some time for DVSA to respond to the FBHVC, they have now told us that the correct procedure is for the tester to enter the chassis/frame number omitting the non-alpha/numeric symbols. DVSA claim to have tested this procedure and confirm that it does work. Anyone still experiencing

problems should check if the tester has followed the recommended procedure.

The FBHVC are awaiting the Government proposals to support the Roadworthiness Directive. The Federation view is obviously going to be dependent upon the extent of changes to the MoT. Our basic principle will continue to be that no historic vehicle, which is roadworthy in the terms of the standards at the time it was manufactured, should be banned from use on the road by reason of a test which it cannot pass.

REACH

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals.

Chromium TrioxideFIVA has been in dialogue with a consortium of chromium trioxide producers and formulators who are making an application to the European Chemicals Agency to allow the continued use of chromium trioxide (for the purpose of chrome plating) under the REACH regulations. FIVA has agreed to overtly support the application because if it is successful, it will help ensure that chrome plating services will continue to be able to be provided by garages who buy their chromium trioxide from a consortium member (who cover at least 95% of the market). In parallel, FIVA is continuing to work with the European Commission to ensure that a practicable simplified application procedure is developed to allow the continued use of substances covered by the REACH Regulation used for legacy parts (which include historic vehicles) or which are used in very small volumes.

Long time Bristol specialist Jonathan Bradburn has a large stock of Bristol partsThis includes engines and gearboxes ranging from unrebuilt standard engines to full race engines, BS engines, 100 B2, 100 D and D2, various competition parts, Bristol gearboxes from standard 85 type to rebuilt BWCR boxes with new CR gears, OD conversion, synchro first gear etc. Also other Bristol, AC and Frazer Nash parts available, limited slip diffs, pistons, camshafts, wire wheels, Cobra minilites.

Parts and cars are also purchased, particularly engines

and gearboxes

Cars in stock include: Ace Bristol Aceca Zephyr Ace Zephyr

Mk 2 and Mk3 Cobra FN Le Mans replica Possibly 400 and 404

Please call for a chat 01624 803052Mobile: 07974 450 688, or e-mail: [email protected]

Tippers.indd 1 15/09/2016 14:37

‘The Winning Formula’

New Bristol 2 Litre Engine Block & Cylinder Head

Bristol Parts Specialists CNC Machining 3D Laser Scanning Engine Re-Builds Gearbox Re-Builds Rolling Road

Body Restoration In-House Bodywork In-House Painting Heated Car Storage Race Track Support Rubber Moulding

Tel: +44 (0) 115 978 0663 www.inracing.co.uk

Email: [email protected] INRacing, Palm Street, New Basford, Nottingham, NG7 7HS, U.K.

Historic Racing & Sports Car Specialists

Racing IN.indd 1 15/09/2016 14:47

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*All cover is subject to insurers terms and conditions, which is available upon request. **Premium example based on: 1957 Morris Minor 1000. Value: £3000. Main policy only and does not include any FJ+ cover options. All premiums assume the vehicle is not the main car and includes Insurance Premium Tax. Male driver aged over 25 years old, 2000 annual limited mileage, and full clean driving licence with no claims or convictions. Member of associated club. Postcode OX10, vehicle garaged with no modifi cations. Includes a £10 arrangement fee.Footman James is a trading name of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited. Registered in England No. 4043759. Registered Address: Towergate House, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3EN. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Telephone calls may be recorded. FP ADCC203.11.14

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Footman James Full Page.indd 1 15/09/2016 15:18

32 BOC Australia

Peking to Paris Rally The Peking to Paris Rally 2016 - and a Celebratory lunch at the RAC in Pall Mall. Report and London photographs from Geoffrey Herdman

For the first time in its history, a Bristol took part in the 2016 Peking to Paris Rally. Not only did it take part, but it came 1st in its Class and

11th out of 57 starters in the post-1941 category.

To put this into perspective a Porsche 911 was 40th and a DB6 46th. The Bristol team was made up of Paul Hickman, the owner, and Sebastian Gross as co-driver and mechanic extraordinaire. Although both now living in Australia, both are originally from the UK and Paul has the good sense to be a member of both the BOCA and the BOC.

Hilary and I met Paul and his wonderful wife Dorothy in Sydney in April, just after 10DPG had been shipped back home following our Australian tour. We were treated to a most memorable meal on that day and the offer of a 405 saloon for next year’s Tour of Tasmania. What a star!

Sebastian’s credentials include a total restoration of a desert-find 406 Zagato, complete with miniature wine cellar in the boot, having prepared the car mechanically over an 18 month period.

Paul, despite his huge business commitments was in charge of “The Look” and, boy, did he succeed! He had spent around 1,000 hours removing every trace of paint, so the finish you see in the photographs is not

33BOC Australia 33

A typical extract from the rally diary prepared for BOCA members by

BOCA’s President, Steven Rossen:

After two nights in Kazan on Thursday

and Friday, Paul and Bas report

that the car was washed, and in the

workshop with two Russian mechanics. There

was lots of pointing, no English but all jobs

were completed including alloy welding! They

finished with vodka and the company of lovely

people.

It was a fine warm day on Saturday so shorts

were the go. No time trials, just steady driving

along the mighty Volga River - the longest

in Europe - to Nizhny Novgorod, formerly

known as Gorki, which lies at the confluence

of the Volga and Oka Rivers, 260 miles (420

kilometres) east of Moscow. The crews found

the roads were generally a little better, but there

were still occasional sections of badly broken tar

where cars wandered everywhere trying the miss

the worst of it. After an easy day on Saturday, the clock

started ticking and the pressure ramps were

up again early yesterday morning for the

613-kilometre drive to the village of Zavidovo,

located approximately 120 kilometres north-

west of Moscow. It was a scorching hot day with

three equally heated time trial tests - one at the

NRing, a multifunctional and testing tarmac

circuit and two at a dilapidated military base

in a town called Nami - one on dirt and the

other a hill. As usual, there were wildly differing

levels of driving ability on display and some

could best be described as an exercise in hope

over experience. According to Bas, “there

was enough adrenalin to know you’re alive”.

The rally sped through acres of beautiful dense

birch and pine forests, full of villages and

settlements but soon enough hit modern Russia

in the form of the M7 motorway, one of the

main highways into Russia’s capital city, where

the density of traffic led to delays for some, but

the tests in the afternoon made the effort of

getting to them all the more worthwhile.

Crews are now staying in Zavidovo at

a beautiful hotel overlooking the lakes. In

Zavidovo a hunting ground was established in

the 1960s for use by VIPs, including heads of

state. Since 1996, Zavidovo has the status of

one of the official residences of the President of

Russia.

Today, the Rally will take the 461-kilometre

journey to Smolensk....

a lacquer. In Paul’s opinion lacquers tarnish and peel. This finish is simply polish on bare metal.

The total rally distance was 8,510 miles, which had to be driven in 36 days. 236 miles a day doesn’t sound a lot until:

a) You do them day after day, and:b) For large parts of the route the roads are either

mud tracks or non-existent.Often they would finish a day at around 10 pm,

when Paul confessed to being wrecked, but Sebastian would then go and help other cars, usually working through the night. At the awards trophy Sebastian was given the prize for the most helpful mechanic, an award voted on by all the other competitors. (A typical diary extract for the rally is shown within this article - it was written for BOCA members by their President)

Paul and Sebastian’s plan, having completed the rally, was to drive from Paris to the UK so that Paul could show the car to his father in Anglesey, and Sebastian to show his family in Whitby.

They had asked if it would be possible to show the car in London to any BOC members who might

be interested. Thus it was that we managed to park 53632–H (a New South Wales historic registration) outside the RAC in Pall Mall on Sunday 24th July and arranged a lunch for 8 Australians and 21 BOC members and wives.

As an aside, one of those attending, Nigel Wills, had his Talbot on display in the Rotunda, which he had but 2 weeks previously driven from Northamptonshire to Classic Le Mans.

The frontal photo shows Paul on the left and Sebastian on the right with their deserved haul of trophies.

Neither Paul nor Sebastian had ever done anything like this before. The car took rather longer to prepare than they originally anticipated – have I ever heard that story before? And their only shakedown was a 1,000kms night drive home from a BOCA rally.

What a fantastic achievement. Many, many congratulations!

34

229 members completed the online survey, submitting over 400 individual comments and suggestions along the way. Thank you to

all the members who contributed - your guidance in helping us plan ahead for the club is greatly appreciated.

The survey was comprised of 20 questions. The following paragraphs summarise the findings and comments against each.

Q1 How many BOC events have you attended in the past 2 years? (e.g. Concours, AGMs, dinners, lunches etc)

BOC We were heartened to find that close to two-thirds of all respondents had attended at least one event during the period. More than 20% had attended four or more events and a handful of hardy souls recorded 10 or more attendances.

Overall, how would you rate the organisation, the locations and the value for money of these events?

BOC The overwhelming response from those that had attended was extremely positive, a testament to the hard work of the many members who volunteer to arrange, host or marshal the club’s events throughout the year.

While there were a lot of compliments posted against these questions (for which we are very grateful), some members did point out a decidedly South Eastern bias to many of the current UK offerings. Even though a sizeable proportion of the UK membership resides in the South East, the committee recognises this as an issue and is working to increase the number and quality of events held in other parts of the country too (see also Qs 13 and 14 below).

A few members also noted that events could be quite expensive - and this issue appears again when we look at trips and tours too.

Mem “Nice atmosphere between individuals of all ages and different walks of life”, “Would like to see better use of website for organising events”, “Always very sociable events and well organised”, “fine dining is wasted on me!”, “Mostly good value, However the RAC dinner costly”, “Like the selection of venues”, “We attended the Chelsea Arts Club lunch. Wonderful location”, “At the last concours the marshalling was poor”, “signage could be improved long before reaching the destination”

We are currently working on guidelines to help those volunteers who assist at events to ensure that members always get the best possible experience.

Qs 2, 3 & 4

Earlier this year we asked the UK and European membership to let us have their views on the events and trips and tours that the club currently has on offer. Importantly, we also asked the membership what they would like to see offered for the future. Survey summary from Anthony Spooner

THE BOC’S EVENTS,

Trips and ToursMEMBERS HAVE THEIR SAY

35

Organisation

Locations

Value for Money

Q5 How friendly were the events for your spouse or partner?

BOC Just over half the respondents replied to this question and, while their responses are generally positive, we recognise this as an area we must continue to work upon.

Members expressed pleasure with the use of National Trust or historic house locations for

the club’s major annual events and with the recent initiative of holding a dinner the night before an event. Some pointed out, however, that more could perhaps be done to welcome new members attending club events for the first time.

Members generally believe the club to be very welcoming and good for couples, but the need to ensure a better welcome for new members crops up occasionally throughout the survey and the committee is particularly concerned that this will be addressed in future.

Mem “My wife loves meeting old friends and making new ones”, “New members’ lunch was good”, “I think generally it would be nice to meet members more regularly and more informally”, “New members’ lunch every year?”

“My wife loves meeting old friends and making

new ones”

Q6 How friendly were the events for your family (if applicable)?

BOC While less than 30% of respondents answered this question (and their views are largely supportive of our current efforts) the response rate does imply that over 200 UK and European members may have family that could accompany them to BOC events from time to time. We recognise, of course, that we are first and foremost a car club, but we will ensure that in future we advertise well in advance any event (or trip or tour) that has features which might appeal to younger folk.

36

Organisation

Locations

Value for Money

MEM “I suggest more lunchtime meets or weekending, regionally based”, “have loved past tours and am always looking to join another”, “Brilliant organisation, great venues. Worried it can’t be bettered”, “I would like to have hotel details confirmed much sooner than they are now”, “Can’t quite remember date of Antwerp. It was an excellent trip”

Q7 How many BOC trips or tours have you attended in the past 2 years? (e.g. local day trips, weekend trips, UK or European tours etc)

BOC We were delighted to find that over a quarter of all respondents had attended at least one BOC trip or tour during the period, with 12 members attending 4 or more. Getting this take-up figure above the 25% level is a very real objective for the committee.

How would you rate these trips and tours, the locations chosen and the value for money?

BOC The ratings from those members who have attended the trips and tours are, again, supportive. Some members do query the expense and location of the offerings to date, but the overall view is certainly positive.

Qs 8, 9 & 10

We were delighted to find that over a quarter of all respondents had attended at least one BOC trip

37

BOC The responses here are enormously helpful in the club’s future event planning. In addition to the club’s major annual set pieces and car shows, the popularity of informal gatherings and events (i.e. regional meetings, pub lunches and the like) is fully understood and appreciated. We are working hard to identify and contact members across the country and within Europe to bolster the current offerings. Don’t be surprised if the Chairman should get in touch with you!

MEM “Would enjoy rallies organized by the club with proper road book and stages”, “More regional events”, “These events if less than 100 miles distant”, “Golf!”, “ What about a BYO picnic at a NT or similar venue?”

Q14 In what ways could we make future events more appealing?

BOC We mention above the intention to spread club events more widely across the country and to make them less South East centric. With this in mind, the Chairman will be hosting a Chairman’s Dinner in a different location

Q11 How friendly were these trips or tours for your spouse or partner?

BOC Just over a quarter of respondents answered this question and they report positively.

MEM “It’s the people you meet that matter, as long as the club continues to offer events that appeal to a broad church it should do well”, “That’s what keeps us coming back”, “My wife likes meeting up with old friends and new and exploring new areas”

Q12 How were the trips or tours for your family (if applicable)?

BOC Perhaps not surprisingly, only a 10% response rate here, but the members who did respond expressed satisfaction. The comment in Q6 above about the future advertising of features that might appeal to younger family members clearly applies here also.

MEM “Teenage daughter came on one European trip and was made very welcome”, “our boys have always been made to feel welcome”

Q13 Now looking to the future, which of the following club events will you be interested in attending?

38

enjoy the one/two week club trips and tours and we will continue to ensure that their needs are fully catered for. But in addition, we will now look to offer more shorter duration trips as well. Our aim of course is to involve as many members as possible in the Bristol Owners’ Club experience.

MEM “A week tour is too long but would really enjoy tours and rallies up to 4 days long”, “tours would have to be to places where it would make sense to bring the Bristols”, “Shorter trips within the UK would be more applicable”, “A great deal depends on where. New Zealand, no thanks; India, yes please”, “time is the problem. Another 2 or 3 days in each week would help!”, “...something of interest to me as a Bristol/motoring nut! Food, wine, cars, sport, fashion plus things of a topical nature”

The BOC is recognised as an inclusive and

welcoming club and we will ensure this outlook is

maintained.

Q16 How could we make these future trips or tours more appealing?

BOC Needless to say, we are keen to avoid the view that club trips and tours are closed shops for wealthy and/or retired members only!

The BOC is recognised as an inclusive and welcoming club and we will ensure this outlook is maintained. As before, your comments and observations are enormously helpful in helping us plan for the future.

MEM “Would be interested to take part in an organised rally type tour”, “Previous UK trips have been good, and inclusive. Less concentration on the ‘Grand Tours’ and more on the UK”, “Attract the younger members - we are not all old buffers with 6s!”, “Perhaps a few cheaper trips/outings”, “Price plays a big part”, “A few more weekend trips in the UK rather than so many in Europe - European trips can be rather expensive”, “Please communicate travel details well ahead (min 6 mths) in order to organise oneself”, “Selecting rallies in the Spring or Autumn”, “Make them more friendly for non owners in ‘ordinary non

around the country each year. This will be in addition to the annual year-end event at the Royal Automobile Club in London. And, for those members who are based in the South East - do not despair, we will be enhancing your event offerings as well!

MEM “As many different venues as possible to shorten distances for each local cluster of members”, “Hands-on maintenance demonstrations”, “ Local Sunday pub lunches”, “Lectures and knowledge sharing on the cars and a proper spares table”, “ Focus on driving or maintenance of cars”, “Hold one-day runs/trips, as time is always at a premium”, “Keep it simple! Fewer dinners, more pub lunches”, “we enjoy local get togethers, eg treasure hunt type rallies”, “Tie-ins with bigger events/other marques. Eg Goodwood breakfast club or revival”, “I think everyone does an excellent job”, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, “Good events do not need to be over-sophisticated. A gathering at a local pub can be all that is needed for a successful occasion”, “Visits to car manufacturers such as Bentley, Aston Martin etc”

BOC In response to some of your suggestions, we are launching a series of technical seminars for members, drawing upon the extensive experience of the many suppliers and service organisations used by club members.

Q15 For the future, what duration/types of trips or tours might appeal to you?

BOC The obvious favourites here are for short-break, one day or weekend local or European trips. There is clearly a cadre of members who greatly

39

Q20 Do you have any final thoughts, questions or concerns?

MEM Here’s a representative sample from the many responses we received: “Try to cater for all - do not exclude those who still want techie/mechanical support”, “Really enjoyed pub lunch at Duke of Cumberland which had a very good turn out”, “I would like to see more events aimed at the younger membership and drawing more young(er) people into the club and the brand”, “We should have a judging class that rewards originality”, “for the 2nd or possibly 3rd year running the calendar has not a single 603 to Blenheim photo”, “the website when ready will be a great addition and could promote a greater level of information sharing”, “The BOC has a reputation where all members, regardless of wealth, are equal as are their cars, long may it remain so”, “let’s not follow the current trend of becoming an on-line correspondence group”, “More technical articles in the publications”, “I would like to see the Wiki much more active, sending automatic emails out for a new item and much easier to add new items too”, “A great car club and proud to be a member”, “I am relatively new to the BOC and so far have been very happy and believe it to be a very well organised and friendly club. I have been to a few Chairman dinners, Summer Dinners and a couple of long weekend trips to Europe and have enjoyed them all”,

In conclusionA enormous final “thank you” to all the members who took the time to respond to the questionnaire and to provide their detailed comments and suggestions. Over the coming months and years you will see the fruits of your efforts appearing within the club’s events, trips and tours calendar. And, as mentioned previously, don’t be surprised if the Chairman should want to involve you in their organisation!

Bristol’ vehicles, so that they could enjoy the ambiance and camaraderie alongside owners”, “happy with the trips/tours as they are”, “I would like to drive on new or unknown roads not travel from one lunch/dinner to the next”, “Additional cultural events, concerts, art, music, theatre, opera etc to coincide with tours”, “The ideal mixture, (as well as the pleasure of meeting BOC members), is driving, having good food and wine and visiting some cultural places, history, architecture, arts, music”

Demographics - where broadly are you based and how long have you been a member of the club?

BOC The demographics of the 229 respondents closely mirror the spread of the UK and European membership - lending credibility to the responses and suggestions we have received.

Q19 How likely are you to recommend the BOC...? (0=not at all, 10=definitely)

BOC Close to 60% of all respondents give the club a resounding 10/10. This rises to over 90% when all the 7, 8 and 9 out of 10s are added in as well. Thank you everyone!

Qs17 & 18

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41

LE MANSClassic Car Show 2016Every other July the clock is turned back in spectacular style as classic cars from the great history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans compete in a series of races on the historic track. Report and Photographs by Thomas Alford

For the second time in a month, a British invasion force - including six Bristols - headed for France and the home of the world’s most

famous motor race. This time it was for the Le Mans Classic, an event which was to attract more than 120,000 spectators over the three days of July 8th-10th this year.

On arrival at our accommodation, we were welcomed into a beautifully converted farmhouse in the French countryside. This splendid location was to be enjoyed to the full by all the Bristol owners.

Once again the weather didn’t disappoint, with temperatures reaching a little over 35 degrees around the track, even though this had made for a hot car journey across France. Even with these temperatures, we were delighted to find there were no reported major breakdowns or problems for the Bristols on the trip. Always a good start....

Unfortunately for one Bristol owner, however, a slight misunderstanding about the application of sun cream versus the application of after-sun resulted in the rather red face of one driver … much to the amusement of the others, needless to say. Regrettably there is no photographic evidence of this unhappy occurrence (much to the owner’s relief!)

There are many highlights to a wonderful weekend, with cars spanning from the pre-war years up to the 1980s. It was a tremendous privilege to watch a fellow Bristol Owners’ Club member race his

1920s Talbot, which has originally taken part in the Le Mans race back in its heyday.

Those of us who were able to stay awake until the late hours of the morning were rewarded with fantastic images of night racing - including red hot brakes, belching flames, beer, hotdogs and the endless noise of wonderfully-tuned classic engines.

A big “thank you” goes to the 96 Club for inviting the Bristol entourage to join them for dinner on Saturday night. The 96 Club are a delightful group of London-based car enthusiasts and a great deal of fun to boot (www.96club.co.uk).

So we report another successful BOC trip to Le Mans, with sincere thanks to our Chairman and to Grandstand Motorsport for the organisation of the trip. Join us in 2018, perhaps...?

42 BOC Heritage Trust

Towards the start of the BOCHT, the initial Trustees stood back and took a long hard look at the task ahead of them. They came up

with the following series of objectives, summarised as “where we’d like the Heritage Trust to be in 5 years time: (as at October 2010)

1 Premises: Suitable museum premises accessible for visitors and research.

After several false starts, red herrings and cul de sacs, we are delighted to have space in the forthcoming, brand spanking new Bristol Aerospace Centre, currently being built at the foot of the Filton runway. This will be the home of Concorde, as well as every imaginable product of Bristol Aeroplane Company and its many successors and derivatives.

The Collection ranges from the sublime to the frankly terrifying. Somewhere between the two – geographically and conceptually - will be our dissected Bristol 403 rolling chassis display, for which we are collecting parts and funds right now. Think about any

spare 2 litre parts cluttering up your shed (or money cluttering up your bank account) and please get in touch if you like to find out more.

Our archives will also be securely stored there under museum conditions, giving access for research and information.

2 Personnel: Archivist funded who has been through the archives, catalogued and rationalised the whole collection.

The archives have massively increased in size during this time thanks to an active acquisition programme and a large bequest of thousands of items of Bristol memorabilia – including our Holy Grail, his 1940s racing helmet, from the estate of Tony Crook himself.

It took a convoy of fully laden estate cars to transfer the archives into their present home, in the Brabazon Hangar. The small collection we started with has now grown almost out of recognition.

Students have been employed for cataloguing and data entry, and as I write we are completely up-to-date.

Nobody can read the future, and you are making yourself a hostage to fortune if you try to. With this caveat in mind, I unearthed the Heritage Trust’s rather Stalinist sounding 10-point Five Year Plan for 2010. How do you think we got on? Report by Stefan Cembrowicz

Heritage Trust Update

43

5 Shows: Regularly organised erudite lectures and events, though complementary to BOC activities and within the aims of the Trust.

We have run annual lecture days at Gaydon, Sparkford, the Shuttleworth collection, Woodhall Spa, Bicester Heritage, and Brooklands, where possible dovetailing with events from BOC.

We try to include a speaker from an aero-engineering background to celebrate our Bristol cars’ fine aero-heritage. Audience sizes range from 50 to 70, and DVDs are available of some of these events – please contact the Regalia Secretary for stock details.

The Heritage Trust has also arranged Autumn Classic days at Castle Combe circuit, where we were able to watch trustee Peter Campbell circulating at high speed amidst the field of 1950s competitors, deftly avoiding some very expensive smashes. Supporters have enjoyed guided 3-hour visits to the remarkable contents of the Brabazon Hangar, at its time the largest building of its kind, with a volume of 1,000,000m³, where our archives are safely stored. This is not open to the public, but is a working collection where volunteer Bristol Aero Collection engineers are preparing many “Large Objects” for exhibit in the Bristol Aerospace Centre next year. These tours have ceased for now, as the Collection prepares itself to move into the new Bristol Aerospace Centre, though I can still arrange visits to our archives

Besides our brochures (into the thousands), photos and glass slides (also into the thousands) and some priceless correspondence, we have over 500 original magazines with Bristol related articles, going back to the 1940s.

3 Income: Sales of posters, prints, DVDs, publications and other printed matter and collectibles based on HT material up and running, bringing healthy income to HT.

We have now catalogued sundry duplicate pamphlets and brochures, and it will be helpful to our fundraising drive to sort through and offer the supernumerary ones for sale. We hope to make a start on this soon. Copyright has needed sorting out before we can copy some of our material.

4 Stabilised income from the BOC and BOCA, enabling 1 and 2 above.

It is not possible for a legally-registered charity such as the BOC Heritage Trust to be run by another body, e.g. a club. In view of this, it was agreed last year that we should become financially independent from BOC.

This does mean that we need to replace our £5 per BOC member income with individual Standing Orders. We have made a good start with this, but more annual donations are needed. Please get in touch if you would like to become a Supporter.

44

45

Member Matt Wenner, a professional video editor, has nearly finished this very big editing job for us. No success quite yet with a TV feature, but our archived interviews may be made available on AV display in the Bristol Aerospace Centre or via the website.

And you are all shortly to be sent a free DVD of Sir George White describing his family’s involvement with planes and cars (and even boats..)

10 Clearly established and generally understood position, independent from other clubs and bodies but on good terms with all.

You, the reader, are the best judge of this!

Please get in touch with your suggestions, contributions for the website, spare parts for the display chassis project, and not least of all, that little Standing Order. Just contact your bank to set one up, payable to the BOC Heritage Trust account.

Our Bank details are: CAF Cash Account 00027340 Sort Code 40-52-40

And – I wonder what you would like us to put in our next 5 Year Plan?

Yours in BristolStefan Cembrowicz

The photographs accompanying this BOCHT article are of a number of the treasures currently being held in the Brabazon Hangar.

for those interested.

6 Donations: Paypal used for online payment and donations, with Giftaid built in.

We are now able to accept payments online via PayPal. All donations are Giftaided. Our multi-authored wiki website - which is in an advanced stage of gestation - will be able to accept donations directly.

7 Legacies: Well established and publicised flow of legacies, gifts, donations to fund larger-scale activities.

Our most major donation of material has of course been very kindly made by Tony Crook’s executors, to whom we are most grateful. And our rolling chassis presentation project has been very well kickstarted by splendid donations of £3000 and £2500 and large sums from other generous donors.

8 Cars: Interesting or historic Bristols accessible for public viewing, attracting more of 6 and 7 from all sides.

We have a display space for one car in the Bristol Aerospace Centre. Initially we had hoped to display a rotating series of borrowed Bristols, perhaps for six months or so at a time. However, the internal architecture of the 1911 Belfast Hangar where the timeline of the Bristol Aeroplane Co is being displayed does not permit “large objects” to be easily wheeled in and out, without a couple of days work dismantling internal structures.

So our rolling chassis will now lie in goodly company, alongside such elegant 50s Bristol specialities as the Sycamore helicopter, Bloodhound missile, and Harrier jumpjet.

9 Interviews: A good body of interview work completed, resulting in several DVDs, “The Bristol Story” and a feature on TV.

We now have c.20 video recordings of key people associated with Bristol cars right from the start. The list includes Sir George White, Tony Crook, Syd Lovesy, Richard Hackett, Brian Morelli, Jeff Marsh, a racing engine line fitter, paint shop crew, an electrician, apprentices, racing drivers, a 450 team member, the first Spares Handbook’s industrial artist, and others.

46 Club information

PresidentGeoffrey HerdmanPerrymead, DilwynHerefordshire HR4 8HNT 07836 210719 (mobile) 01544 319256 (home)E [email protected]

Club Officials

Committee ChairmanMark Alford17 Ferndene Road,London SE24 0AQT 07973 798 172 (mobile)E [email protected]

General SecretaryGeoff HawkinsThe Manse, 57 Chequer Street,Fenstanton, Huntingdon,Cambs. PE28 9JQT 01480 462 001E [email protected]

Membership SecretaryRuth AtkinsonMill Cottage, South FarmEast Meon, Petersfield, GU32 1EZT 01730 823 921

Treasurer: David FirthOwl’s Barn, 59 Sandown ParkTunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 4RTT 01892 822 178E [email protected]

Events Co-ordinatorTurplin Dixon64 Deyncourt Gardens,Upminster RM14 1DGT 01708 223 701E [email protected]

Technical OfficerTo be advised

Officers

Temporary Bulletin EditorAnthony Spooner21 Hollymead RoadChipstead, Surrey CR5 3LQT 01737 552 531E [email protected]

Newsletter EditorSam FrostOrchard House, Ogbourne,St George, Marlborough,Wiltshire SN8 1SUT 01672 841 523E [email protected]

Spares & Services Co-ordinatorTurplin Dixon64 Deyncourt Gardens,Upminster RM14 1DGT 01708 223 701E [email protected]

ReprintsRobert HathawayBell End Farm, Belbroughton,Nr. Stourbridge,West Midlands DY9 9UJT 01562 730 906E [email protected]

Regalia SalesVacant

FBHVCAdrian BerryArmiger House, Bowmans Dr.,Battle, East Sussex TN33 OLTT 01424 773 661E [email protected]

WebmasterC P K Smithies18 Pine Road, Corfe Mullen,Wimborne BH21 3DWT 01202 841 070E [email protected]

Section Secretaries

Chiltern SectionPOSITION VACANT

East Anglia SectionPOSITION VACANT

Midland SectionPOSITION VACANT

North East SectionGreg Lowe9 Dearne Croft, Wetherby,West Yorkshire LS22 7UPT 01937 586 804E [email protected]

North West SectionDavid Taylor2 Slaidburn Drive, Lowercroft,Bury, Lancs Bl8 3DGT 0161 764 1421E [email protected] (or) [email protected]

South East SectionRodney Watney7 St Lukes AvenueLondonSW4 7LGT 020 7720 6387E [email protected]

Oxford SectionAndy BernardGreenways, Perrott’s Brook,Cirencester, Glos GL7 7BNT 01258 831 273E [email protected]

Wessex SectionPeter CampbellBarnfield House,Bremeridge Farm, Westbury,Wiltshire BA13 4EDT 01373 823 943E [email protected]

Irish SectionSimon Healy76 Haytesbury Street,Dublin 8, Republic of IrelandT 353 1 453 7667E [email protected]

EuropeT. E. B. MariusGemeentebroek 1,6231 RV Meerssen,The NetherlandsT 31 43 785 0290E [email protected]

NetherlandsIngrid DammerRooijsestraat 57,6621 AJ Dreumel,The NetherlandsE [email protected]

Registrars

General RegistrarGeoffrey HerdmanPerrymead, DilwynHerefordshire HR4 8HNT 07836 210 719 (mobile) 01544 319 256 (home)E [email protected]

401-403POSITION VACANT

400(joint registrars)Andrew BlowT 01672 539 689E [email protected] DowdleT +61 2 9873 2911E [email protected]

410Geoff HawkinsThe Manse, 57 Chequer StreetFenstanton, HuntingdonCambs., PE28 9JQT 01480 462 001E [email protected]

411 – all seriesC P K Smithies18 Pine Road, Corfe Mullen,Wimborne BH21 3DWT 01202 841 070E [email protected]

412Philippa Bensley24 Branksome Avenue,Upper Shirley,Southampton SO15 5NYT 07710 064 563E [email protected]

603 – all seriesM I Greensmith EsqWoodlands, Milton of Cushnie,Alford, Aberdeenshire AB33 8LAT 01975 581 318E [email protected]

Bristol Contacts

Trustee of BOC Heritage TrustStefan CembrowiczBOC Heritage Trust, 3 Sion Hill,Clifton, Bristol BS8 4BAT 0117 973 7205E [email protected]

North American RegistrarPeter McGough1428 Roxbury Road,North Vancouver,British Columbia,V7G 1X7, CANADAT 604 971 4364

Arnolt-Bristol RegistrarTo be advised

Bristol Registrar of New ZealandStuart SmithPO Box 60-525 Titirangi PO,Auckland 0642,New ZealandT +64 9 811 8990F +64 9 811 8993E [email protected]

Bristol Owners Club of AustraliaPresident: Steven RostenPO Box 581, CamberwellVictoria 3124, AustraliaT +61 39 882 6410 +61 41 737 6067 (mobile)E [email protected]

Spencer Lane-Jones Ltd and Richard Hackett are delighted to announce

the launch of SLJ Hackett – retailers of historic thoroughbred cars.

Our new website

www.sljhackett.co.uk is coming soon.

In the meantime please visit

www.historiccars.co

to see our current range

of motorcars for sale.

To speak to a member of the team

please contact 01985 219551

or email us on

[email protected]

The Bulletin is published by the Bristol Owners’ Club, an independent, unincorporated association or body of individual members recognised by the

Royal Automobile Club. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Bristol Owners’ Club nor are they to be considered as being representative of those of Bristol Cars Ltd. Any advice given by the Club or its

officers is expressly made without prejudice and no liability can be accepted for subsequent loss or difficulties.

Patron: Sir George WhiteTemporary Editor: Anthony Spooner, email: [email protected]

Front and rear cover photo: courtesy of Alex Lawrence of Classic Driver AG.

Designed and printed by Quorum Print Services Ltd, Units 3 & 4 Lansdown Industrial Estate,

Gloucester Road, Cheltenham GL51 8PL. Tel. 01242 584984 email [email protected] www.quorumprint.co.uk

Documents

Bristol Owners’ Club · Bristol Cars Services Ltd Unit 17-19 Shield Drive, Great West Road, Brentford TW8 9EX [email protected] / [email protected] 020 8560 3300