1919 Leyland Wins at Veteran Rally
Page 53
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
By A. J. P. Wilding
THERE seemed to be some lack of I order and organization at the rally held last Sunday by the Historical Commercial Vehicle Club on the premises of Commercial Vehicles (Sales and Repairs), Ltd., Cranes Close, Basildon, Essex. This was partly balanced by the excellent standard of the vehicles taking part which, as is usual in events of this type, showed evidence of many hours spent in restoration.
Although 51 entrants were shown in the programme, only 18 turned up and completed the road run from the South Benfleet depot of Essex Carriers, Ltd., to Basildon. Of these, 15 took part in a driving test which varied (without apparent reason) for the six classes— large and small commercial vehicles. buses and coaches, steam-propelled vehicles, fire engines and passenger vehicles under 3 tons.
Commercial Vehicles (Sales and Service), Ltd.. had gone to a great deal vehicles, who had to do their tight of trouble to prepare their large parking ground as a test course, but for some reason the Club preferred' a relatively small area in front of the office building.
This did not help the large crowd of spectators to get a good view—they were not told what was going on, anyway— and made life difficult for the drivers of the large steam wagons and commercial shunting often less than a foot from the spectators.
When the tests were finished, there was a long delay while the results were evaluated, but it was eventually announced that the immaculate 1919 Leyland van entered by Christmas, Chivers, Ltd.. of Histon, Cambridge, was the outright winner of the Concours d'Elegance, with a 1935 Albion 20-seater coach entered by D. and F. RowIes, London, gaining the" second place.
The Concours decided the winners of the cups for the six classes. Money prizes were given by Basildon Tyre Service. Ltd. to the driving test winners.