RUMCAR NEWS No.118

[Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)]

Still working my way through yet another fantastic issue - I don't remember what they used to say it about, but "There's so much in it!" comes to mind. Stuart's recounting of the tales of Rob Dobie makes me long for those far-off days when you could flick through Exchange & Mart looking for obscure treasure and it's nice to see a few of the obscure treasures that have changed hands recently added to the register.  To everyone who's contributed, especially Chris who must have been wiritn non-stop since the last issue many, many thanks for a great read.

[richard]

funny you remind me that as a 20 year old and living with my parents I too used to look in my dads Exchange & Mart every week . he may indeed have bought  his , much later, concourse winning 1931 Lagonda , and almost certainly the 1937 Fiat Topolino . i later bought my 1961 Matchless 350 from the same source . we were by then in the late 70's and classics seemed then far and between . Specialist magazines became the norm and Exchange & Mart was no longer the source it had been . i just googled and found it only ceased in paper form in 2009 ! online only now

[Chris Thomas]

Dear Malcolm

Thank you for the comments. I do seem to spend a lot of time researching and writing my bits of the magazine, and I am sure the other contributers do the same. I have already set the template for issue 119 and  started writing some parts of the magazine, like Mystery Car solved, and laying out part 3 of the Rob Dobie story, and inserting the next Poll Position cartoon. There is less than 8 weeks to the next editorial deadline and 10 weeks to my printing deadline, In the two weeks between the two deadlines I have to insert the final contributions from Jean and Alastair, John, Mike, Alan, Keith and now Richard. Fill the pages that are not filled with something interesting, and send it all off for proof checking, and then do the corrections, before sending to the printer. 10 weeks sounds like a long time, but I can assure you it flies by.

As always all contributions are very welcome. Do not be afraid if you have never done it before. I am getting better at tidying up other peoples articles.

Chris Thomas
Rumcar News

[Peelpower]

No. 118 nice issue.Unfortunately it was sad to read Andy C. is not doing the Peel register any more. When i started the register in 1988, only 10 cars were on the list. Then Steve Hurn continued my work before it was handed over to Andy. Since then Andy kept the register up to date for so many years., and he made it fantastic.

Regards
Ferdi and the Peels from Germany

[Jean]

Don't worry Ferdi,  The Peel Register is not lost. All the time there has been someone overseeing the Peel section of the register like yourself, Steve Hurn and then Andy the data has been kept up to dated on the main data base of the Register of Unusual  Microcars maintained first by myself and now by Alastair Lauchland.  Nothing has changed the same applies to the Nobels, AC  Petites and Goggomobils. 

In all these years there have never been separate Registers only different people being the contacts for various sections of the Register.  The only independent Registers are those of the Scootacars and the Friskys which were set up before the Register of Unusual Microcars came into being in 1980.

 I have realised for some time now that it  does not seem to be clearly understood that there is only one Register and the various sections mentioned above have been lucky enough to have one person willing and knowledgeable enough to answer questions, source materials and most importantly write about their particular interest in RUMCAR NEWS.  Until  we can find a new person to take over this role for the Peel section Alastair is diligently recording any changes and additions that may occur but you,the members  with Peels, must notify him as you always should have done in the past.

If your vehicle, no matter what make, has not been issued with a unique Rum number either by me or by Alastair then sadly that car is not on the Register no matter who else may have been told bout it. So Please make sure your car is on the Register of Unusual Microcars and not in limbo.   Jean

[Trident]

Gordon Fitzgerald had a Peel Register in 1974

[richard]

you know i do find it frustrating to not know contributors real names or background . i have no idea if Trident is an upstart flyby night spiv or a dyed in the wool long time enthusiast - and therefore have no idea whether his comments are of worth . i am sure the latter but do you get my point - i've just looked up your profile and your i.d. is a secret 

[Rob Dobie]

Must be a Peel nut. 

[Jean]

In response to Trident, I agree that Gordon Fitzgerald had a list of Peels and their owners at that time as did several other enthusiasts who were interested in Peels and the original company on the Isle of Man.  It was with their help that I was able to get many of the original Peels on an official Register which is still being kept updated today by Alastair.  In the early days most people were proud of the cars that they owned, not secretive.  I feel it is even more important with the replicas and look alikes that are being produced, not only of Peels but other makes as well, that these early records are continually updated so that in years to come the genuine original Peels produced on the Isle of Man in the 1960's can be distinguished from their more modern counterparts.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against replicas at all just so long as they are acknowledged to be just that and one way to be able to do that is by being able to trace the history of the originals via well kept, up to date records.

I am eternally grateful to all those enthusiasts, who have helped me to compile the records of the cars that we have today.  I am particularly grateful to those people , past and present, who undertook the task of overseeing particular groups of cars and encouraging their owners to add their comprehensive details to our Register.  This has enabled us to help many new owners to piece together the history of their cars and I hope that this can continue to be a service that  Rum Cars will be able to offer without breaking any confidences. Added which of course there is a reservoir of technical information that can be tapped when needed.   Jean

[Bob Purton]

you know i do find it frustrating to not know contributors real names or background . i have no idea if Trident is an upstart flyby night spiv or a dyed in the wool long time enthusiast - and therefore have no idea whether his comments are of worth . i am sure the latter but do you get my point - i've just looked up your profile and your i.d. is a secret 

I agree Richard. Why should we take seriously the posts of anyone who is afraid to say who they are.

[richard]

Well I don't mean to be so hard - but a comment from unknown source is just like the guy that used to own a heinkel and he knows mines modified as the wheel is not on a link to the door. The man who swears all Bonds were kickstarted etc. Etc. Provenance is all eh Bob 

[Bob Purton]

Well I don't mean to be hard either and I would reverse my last comment but as we all know Isetta drivers don't have reverse gear! 

[Garybond]

Back to my hidden I.D.s thread