VINTAGE STUFF
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• The 1994 London to Brighton Historic Commercial Vehicle Run was as successful as ever. Once more the organisers conjured up marvellous weather and the quality of the vehicles entered was superb.
One hundred and seventy three trucks, vans, fire engines and buses started the run, with a single motorcycle and tradesman's-box sidecar. Very few didn't make it to Brighton but CM was particularly disappointed to miss the Fiat that transported Ferrari's racing cars between Grands Prix in the fifties.
Entries ranged in age from a 1901 Decauville (reputedly once owned by Sir Henry Royce) to an unrestored 1974 ERF, and in size from the 1930 Ariel combination to a 1967 Scammell Contractor which set a UK record by pulling 401 tons on a drawbar trailer. CM's favourites included a Pickfords-liver ied 1943 Diamond T tractor, both Sentinel steam wagons, several Ford Model A and AA chassis (two of which won class awards) and the vehicles entered by students of Imperial College—Jezebel, a 1916 Dennis type N fire appliance; and Clemrnie, a 1926 Morris Commercial T-type.
Oddities included Queen Mary's Humber Super Snipe (used to transport the Royal houseplants) and a magnificent 1946 Volvo rebuilt with a functioning gas generator to allow it to run on wood.
The judges' favourite was undoubtedly the 1927 Albion LK35 which won the overall Concours d'Elegance and no less than four other awards. Owner RC Braithwaite picked up a trophy in his own right as the oldest HCVS member driving in the run. Vintage stuff!