London Brighton run today

[marcus]

Look out for an 1899 de Dion Bouton (number 34). Yesterday afternoon its contracting band brake broke, and it ended up marooned in Southwark with most garages now closed for the week end.
Luckily it was just beside one of South Bermondsey's biggest and best drum factories   where myself and my neighbour helped the owner to weld, drill and lathe up a new shackle for it.

And yes, seeing as it is about the same size as my Trojan I reckon it does qualify as an honorary micro car!

[Bob Purton]

Any photo's?

[marcus]

Will try to load them later. It was in a trailer behind their support vehicle, but the owner let me get some pics.

[marcus]

Computers and digital cameras and Photobucket are all supposed to work with each other, but they can be SO slow, cussid and awkward!

View from back/driver's  seat, showing gear change wheel

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/Captain_Bubble/SDC12903.jpg

Engine bay under rear seat:

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/Captain_Bubble/SDC12902.jpg

The back/driver's end:

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/Captain_Bubble/SDC12901.jpg

The front end, with rear facing front passenger seat:

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/Captain_Bubble/SDC12899.jpg

[Bob Purton]

Lovely Captain. You and the drum workshop were clearly the heros of the day. I hope its not one of those thats had the wheelbase shortened and passed off as an early one to hop behind the date line. They must be very hard to drive with all those belts and clutches!

[Chris Thomas]

Dear Bob

Went along to the London to Brighton and saw 4 Scmitts and a few vey old three wheelers in very good working order. As ever a very good free event

Chris Thomas

[Bob Purton]

Hi Chris. I forgot all about it this year, if you go next year remind me and I'll join you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Chris Thomas]

Dear Bob

Providing I am breathing I intend to go next year. Put it in your diary. The first Sunday of November You need to get in place early as they set off at about 7.00 from Hyde Park. I always go to Redhill at about 8.30 to watch them struggle up the hill out of the town where the good ones romp along and the weak ones struggle. Malcolm Thomas always has a group of Schmitts and Bonds collected at the bottom of the hill which add to the interest, along with people on Penny farthings who cycle down, a range classic cars that just cruise. This Year the Alvis Owners club were taking the same route, so all good fun. It was all over bar the shouting at 12.00

Chris Thomas