My next project? 1921 Packard Coupe

5 minute(s) of a 548 minute read

Hi Mal

Technically you are right but when I joined the club in 1962 it was the VSCC of A (Vic Div)

The car radiator badge that I bought at the time of joining and that has been on what ever (proper) car I have owned from time to time clearly says Vintage Sports Car Club of Australia. The other badge on the car simply says Vintage Sports Car Club. With that club I have been a member since 1979. My Honorary Life Member lapel badge says Vintage Sports Car Club of Australia. In my opinion the change of the Clubs title was simply to meet the requirements of some small minded government bureaucrat.

About 60% of the dozens of trophies that adorn the shelves in my den all refer to competition successes within Vintage Sports Car Club of Australia events. I keep the Trophies from OVERSEAS Events, mainly for competition in the UK and France, in another room. I am afraid that old saying about teaching old dogs new tricks is in my case 100% accurate.

Bernie J

Past President and Honorary Life Member VSCC of A (Victoria)

Australian Secretary and Honorary Life Member The Rapier Register (UK) Joined in 1960s.

25+ year member VSCC (UK)

20+ year member Vintage Drivers Club (Australia)

Member AACA

50+ year member Royal Automobile Club (Victoria) 

Member Packard Owners Club of Australia.

11-2-2010

To digress for a moment the concept of the Alpine trial is probably quite strange to many people who are following my thread. The VSCC here in Victoria, Australia is all about driving your "proper" car. Last weekend a long weekend linked to the famous Melbourne Cup (a horse race) we (my wife Helen & I) were competing in the Alpine Trial in our 1934 Lagonda Rapier (see above)

The route took us (three days) over some extraordinary roads, many gravel high into the Victorian Alps. This major event is run Bi-annually and on this occasion we covered over 800 miles, door to door. Spring in Victoria, Australia is known for extremely variable weather and this weekend was a classic example, with over four inches of rain falling during the three days! Yet apart from one day, Sunday, we motored with the top down. Even then for much of the day we were driving in bright sunshine, alternated by fog, driving rain and howling gales, with the temperature down into single figures (centigrade). Set average speed to be maintained throughout the trial was 40 mph (miles per hour) meaning that to compensate for getting down to 20 mph or less on some of the really steep and often gravel sections that speeds up to 70 mph were called for where possible to maintain the required average. This years Alpine Trial had over 50 entries with the most popular marque among the actual starters was Bentley (14) followed by Vauxhall 30/98 (5) Lagonda (3 Rapiers & 1 Rapide) Delage (4) Alvis (3) and one each Alfa Romeo, MG, Oakland, Chrysler, Frazer Nash, Lancia Lambda, Talbot, OM, Minerva, Rolls Royce, Bugatti, & Hispano Suiza. A veritable who's who of pre WW2 motor cars. The oldest the 1920 Talbot and the newest a 1937 Alvis Speed 25, this last mentioned the only lady driver.

And more.... I forgot to mention some of the roads travelled are closed (impassable) for four or five months each year.

N.B. Not a trailer in sight (or even present) every car was driven to the start, at Benalla about 120 miles form Melbourne and home from the finish at Milawa about 150 miles. The final day started at 9.00 am and we eventually arrived home at 7.30 pm.

The Bentley Drivers Club had incorporated the Alpine Trial into their National Rally with several cars coming from interstate, some coming from as far away as Queensland.