Vintage Celebration
Page 16
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by Colin Sowman • While Europe was celebrating the outbreak of peace 50 years ago, those who reminisce on a more regular basis were hard at work in Brighton. The carnival atmosphere across the Continent seemed to add to the historic commercial vehicle run's air of nostalgia and times past.
The European flavour was reinforced by several entries from Sweden, The Netherlands and France. Over 180 vehicles took part in the run from steam wagons to a 1946 Brush electric milk float to a Mkl Transit. At a pace suited to the era, most of the vehicles survived the 52-mile trip from Crystal Palace to Brighton, taking four hours or more to complete the run.
Renault brought over a 1924 MY type 3.5-tonner for the occasion. One of 5,000 plus built between 1924 and 1929, it had been found in Lisbon, restored by the Berliet Foundation and driven by Paul Berliet, the foundation's head. Taking no chances on the vehicle's quaint engineer ing (the radiator is behind the engine) the old Renault was tailed by a younger version in the colours of the AA.
In its centenary year Dennis was well represented at the run mainly in the fire engine section. One particularly fine example, an N type pump of 1916 entered by the Royal College of Science Motor Club, was getting its final prejudging polish as we passed.
When it came to distributing accolades, the 1959 ERF in the colours of Ken Thomas took the Concours d'Elegance after a recount. Taking the runner up prize was neighbouring haulier Tony Knowles' two-stroke Foden of 1950. Third was a 1927 Sentinel three-way tipper restored and shown by R Moorman of Kent. The Commercial Motor prize for the one to two-tonne unladen category went to a 1953 Fordson E83W pick-up, also based in Kent.
As the vehicles chugged slowly home, some with help from younger trucks, the evening sunshine shone on winners and losers alike. Like the VE Day anniversary itself, they remind us of the a past we must not forget.