Latest chapter in the story . . . .
Holly has been busy producing a new member for the Club but found that the pre-production process got in the way of the hand throttle and now that she and Scott are on with the full production job, Mabel doesn’t quite cut it as a baby carriage. Solution: In April 2019 Scott takes Mabel over (well, someone had to). Although the informal handover took place at home, Scott attended the formal event at The British Motor Museum and can be seen shaking hands with Bob Wilkinson in front of something altogether different but don’t be distracted by that!
Scott Davies and Bob Wilkinson
As part of the handover of several loan cars in 2017, Holly Davies, (an engineer at Rolls Royce in Derby) and her husband Scott took charge of Andrew Morison’s 1934 JAP Super Sports at the British Motor Museum on the 7th April. Holly had already joined the MTWC and with dad James had been reading up on Morgan technicalities in various publications supplied by Eric Bayley.
The ever-enthusiastic Sam Savage had helped Andrew prepare the Morgan and drove the 100 miles up from Petersfield that morning – a good shake down after two years in hibernation – the Morgan not Sam.
The scheme was the brainchild of Bob Wilkinson and project sponsors Peter James Insurance, are providing each ‘borrower’ with £100 of insurance for their loan vehicle as well as insurance advice and support. Peter James added: “We believe wholeheartedly in helping to attract and support newcomers to the classic vehicle movement and this project does just that – it is a pleasure to be part of it.” Other sponsors are Longstone Tyres, Duckham’s and The British Motor Museum.
| The official handover. Left to right: Peter James, Holly Davies, Andrew Morison and Bob Wilkinson. |
Holly has been out and about in the Morgan, now known as “Mabel”. She’s shared a few videos.
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Here’s the Press Release for April 2019 |
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Here’s the Press Release for July 2018 |
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CLASSIC CAR LOAN PROJECT. JUNE 27th 2018. Our Loan Car Trio Diaries Continued….. Our intrepid trio of car loan enthusiasts have had a very mixed couple of months since collecting the cars at The British Motor Museum. Old car driving pleasure has been interspersed with roadside breakdowns and spanner work – luckily, some generous passers-by and our sponsors Peter James Insurance have been on-hand to help… Holly Davies has charge of Mabel, the 1934 Morgan Sports car……. “An early accident was burning my nose on the exposed exhaust whilst checking the engine. On the Sunday of the first bank holiday weekend in May I had planned to go for a quick spring evening drive prior to some friends coming over for dinner. Once again this did not go as planned….Mabel wouldn’t start at all. Again we could see the Bendix was not properly engaging with the starter ring……I’m an Engineer!…….so….  Apart from fitting the engine back to front, everything went well. One sunny Tuesday evening after work I came home full of inspiration to sort out the starter motor issue, armed with some advice from John Rowlands over email. Using the toolkit that was provided with the car I undid the bracket holding the starter motor in place and moved it radially towards the starter ring until I was happy that I’d removed as much backlash as possible between the gear teeth. Low and behold – she started!! I’ve never been so proud of myself and did a solo celebratory dance on my driveway. Buoyed up by my success I headed off round the village for a quick victory lap before heading into make dinner. Unfortunately I managed to stall and without my toolkit to realign the starter motor could not get started again by myself. Luckily some lovely people who were out walking had already heard me driving round and came to see what the noise was. Little did they know they’d be roped into push starting me so I could get home! We attended a meet at the Cooper Arms at Weston on Trent The drive home in the setting sun was sublime and I have to say – this girl is sold on classic motoring! Highlight of the evening? I didn’t burn my nose. The starting problem continued until it was decided to replace the starter ring gear. Success! Subsequently we identified some paint flecks in the fuel filter and solved this by removing the filter all together based on advice from the very supportive members of the MTWC. This month we’ve also removed the engine to replace the starter ring, replaced the condenser and spark plugs and replaced the oil – all with the help from John and Steve from the MTWC. I can honestly say I’m now fully immersed in Morgan ownership and am very much looking forward to some summer adventures….beyond the scope of my garage!” You can keep up with Holly on her website: |
The 1960 Vauxhall Victor (Joanna) is with Tom Pocock who writes, “The day came to collect the car from (temp. home) in Kent. Unfortunately, less than 5 miles down the road the temperature needle jumped through its range and I had to pull over. Lesson learned! Check coolant each time we start a journey. My partner Mary popped into the neighbouring pub where a pub patron, Jay, overheard Mary talking to the barman and came outside to see the car. We have quickly learned that a classic car may be more prone to unscheduled and unceremonious stops but it more than makes up for it with the amount of people it draws to help. Luckily for us Jay was a mechanic by trade so put his drink aside and helped me check the thermostat and refill and bleed the radiator. With the help and kindness of strangers we were on our way to London. I decided to take Joanna in to work to show off to my colleagues. I’m an engineer for a prestigious car brand and we have lots of access to an exquisite selection of cars, however I have not seen as much enthusiasm to come and take a ride in a vehicle as the promise of a manual windscreen washer pump and no seatbelts. During my journey home my luck turned and the heater matrix sprung a leak spraying me with coolant. This time at least I was sure of where all the coolant had gone. In the end all was well and the breakdown patrolman arrived swiftly. (Thanks to Peter James Insurance – Breakdown cover included!) He turned out to be another avid enthusiast with an original Mini, an MGB and Triumph Vitesse. He helped me bypass the heater matrix and I was back on my way.
So now to the good parts, with a bypassed heater matrix we have had a few good runs out. We’ve visited family and friends. Given Joanna a good clean to get the grime of London off. I know she spent most of her life on the roads of London but she always seems much happier in the countryside. Country lanes and small villages breeze by and we get smiles and waves everywhere we go. We attended our first car show too, Hedsor Classic car show in Bourne End. A fantastic day with plenty of cars from all eras and all continents. I was so proud to be able to exhibit. I was really honoured to be able to share the car and talk to fellow enthusiasts. It also gave me a great opportunity to explain the car loan project. I’ve got a few plans for the next few weeks and the pre 1967 parking passes for Goodwood Revival have just arrived and I can’t wait.”
Sara Jane Jordan has the 1929 Ford Model A has a brief report this time. “Still enjoying the car but have broken down the last 2 times I have been out. I was going to Wings and Wheels event at Bidford on a very hot day. The car started to lose power and then cut out. I did really well as managed to stop in a lay by. The guys I was with all helped try to get it started but no luck. Checked the fuel lines plugs and points. We rang the recovery (thanks again to Peter James Insurance cover) and waited in the sunshine. I was so surprised at the number of people who stopped to offer help ….it was great! Over the following weekend we drained the fuel and reset all the points and the car started to run again. I then went to take the car out again on a tea and cake run and again it was a very hot day. After 10 minutes in to the trip we lost power and the engine cut out and would not start. We recovered the car again and I went on to have cake! I have ordered a new coil and condenser which I should be fitting this weekend and then going out for a cake run again on Sunday as a test run. I will update on the fix and get some pictures next time.”
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From Bob Wilkinson: Our new enthusiasts have, unsurprisingly, had good support from fellow enthusiasts and benefit from ongoing insurance sponsorship from Peter James Insurance and Longstone Tyres. This project offers clubs a good opportunity to take positive steps towards encouraging the next generation of enthusiasts. If you want to know more about the Classic Car Loan Project or offer a car for next year please contact Bob Wilkinson [email protected]
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Here’s the official Press Release: Classic Car Loan Project Hand Over Day – April 7th 2018 New Drivers Get Behind The Wheel The British Motor Museum, with its private driving facility, proved an excellent host venue for the much-anticipated Classic Car Loan Project handover event on April 7th. Designed to encourage the next generation of classic car owners into the movement, the project, started by Bob Wilkinson and supported by Peter James Insurance, saw three cars handed over to a trio of enthusiastic younger drivers for the year. The first of this year’s loan cars – a 1929 Ford Model A Phaeton, belongs to long-time enthusiast Peter Garrett, who simply wanted his car, which would otherwise be little-used, to go to a younger enthusiast. The Phaeton was the original star of last year’s popular pilot scheme, which saw it loaned out to Richard Gordon-Colebrooke for 12 months. Andrew Morison was finding his beloved 1934 Morgan Three Wheeler Super Sports car difficult access and use. “I have had such fun over the years and wanted to give others the same opportunity. This project is ideal,” he explained. Finally, the Vauxhall Victor had been bequeathed to the Vauxhall Victor Club by a late member. Club magazine editor, Ian Spruce said, “The committee felt that it would be better used in the hands of a young driver within the loan project.” A low-mileage, 1983 Austin Maestro, belonging to The Maestro and Montego Owners Club chairman, Tanya Field, is still on offer to loan. Sara-Jane Jordan was chosen as the lucky recipient of the Ford Model A. Her application was motivated by having friends in the Wolverhampton area with older classic cars, who will no doubt give her good support through the year. “I have always loved classic vehicles and, in the past have owned a Triumph Spitfire and a VW beetle,” said Sara. “I have recently gained an interest in vintage vehicles through a group of friends and last October attended the VSCC Welsh Scatter Rally and that just made me realise how much I want to own my own vintage vehicle. I am going to love driving this lovely Model A Ford.” Holly Davies, who was handed the keys to the Morgan, was brought up with her dad’s interest in Austin 7s and explained: “I have learned quite a bit from helping dad with the Ulster. I intend to use this as a chance to spend some quality time with Dad and absorb his knowledge as well. I’m also a chartered engineer so like to understand how things work. We should have some fun driving on the Peak District roads.” Motor cycles have been an interest for Tom Pocock, the Vauxhall Victor’s new temporary owner, and he hopes his mechanical aptitude will help in the Victor’s day to day care.” I dream of owning a classic of my own and 1960s cars would be top of the lottery win list. With my partner I attend Goodwood Revival every year as it is the perfect match of our interests. The stylish Victor will go down well at Goodwood.” The handover of each vehicle followed a session of driving on a designated roadway at The British Motor Museum, deemed by Project manager Bob Wilkinson to be “a superbly appropriate facility for getting used to an older car. Thanks go to Tom Caren for making this available.” Each of the new drivers has signed an agreement to use and maintain the vehicle. Project sponsors Peter James Insurance, are providing each ‘borrower’ with £100 of insurance for their loan vehicle as well as insurance advice and support. Car Loan Project Manager Bob Wilkinson said: “Getting the correct insurance cover in place was a major step in planning the project. Peter James is a long time classic enthusiast and has supported our project from the start to help encourage the next generation of classic car owners.” Peter James added: “We believe wholeheartedly in helping to attract and support newcomers to the classic vehicle movement and this project does just that – it is a pleasure to be part of it.” Other sponsors are Longstone Tyres, Duckham’s and The British Motor Museum, with the appropriate owners’ club giving a year’s membership to each of the group. “Following careful planning of the whole project, this has been a very successful day. Each new driver has gone away to enjoy local and national shows and classic summer motoring. Each will be keeping us informed of their experiences and this will make for excellent reading in club and national magazines. This should encourage more owners and clubs to offer cars for next season,” said Bob Wilkinson, wearing a huge smile! If you are interested in finding out more about the project, or are interested in borrowing the Austin Maestro, contact Bob on [email protected] Contact: |
A few notes from Steve Lister: Tom Caren of the British Motor Museum had kindly provided free entry and refreshments for all those involved and a lecture room for greetings and presentations. They were kicked off by Loan Scheme leader Bob Wilkinson explaining the background to the scheme followed by Richard Gordon-Colebrooke who borrowed the Ford Model A last year and the enthusiastic Peter James of the insurance broker of the same name – a key sponsor of the project. After the presentations and photos by the classic car press, Sam Savage took Holly through the subtleties of the hand throttle, double declutching and the original brake set up – hand-brake on the front wheels. All went very well on both the Gaydon driving area and subsequently on the open road. The rain had cleared so we took the opportunity on our way back to Derbyshire to see how things were going at Austin Smith’s Curborough Test Day. It was obvious that everyone had been having a great time. Lots of activity; a good selection of both 5-Speeder and traditional 3-Wheelers; happy smiling faces. Holly took up the offer of a couple of laps of the Curborough track with the highly capable Iain Stewart acting as navigator and coach. Finally, she set off home to Hilton with dad James in the passenger seat for what I understand was a trouble free last leg of a very full and interesting day. Pretty good for the first experience behind the wheel of a Morgan Three-Wheeler. Thanks to everyone for giving the Davies Team, including James’ friend Ian, such a warm welcome and particularly to Andrew for his generosity in lending the Super Sports. |
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