period photo

[richard]

actually 4/10 see me young  thomas.
 no engines are the same ! petite used a 348cc ? industrial Villiers engine , Bond by now the 197cc 12v siba dynastart Villiers , Isetta the BMW , Gordon the older 6v 197cc single and the JARC - was it the 328cc excelsior ? agreed two were similar but not the same  TUT TUT     

[Big Al]

The article says; "The example used was privately owned and had covered a considerable mileage before the tests", so perhaps it was not present for the photo shoot, as the others are probably new. It also states " Stiff suspension results in a rough ride on any but the smoothest surface..."

Another photo shows the 5 cars but no KR in a casual group outside the pub, and is captioned DAWN PATROL - After a week's commuting the miniature cars assemble at the Red Lions, Bledlow (Bucks?) for detail tests around a country circuit and over a level measured distance. The trees are mostly leafless, perhaps buds and small leaves but definition not great. the book's index states: Motor, April 11th 1956, but completely fails to mention clothing, footwear or other matters which are of amusement to us but not strictly pertinent to a serious article!

Ah, the wonderful Bledlow Ridge. Just down the road from Lewknor. The course would thus probably be at the foot of the Chilterns out towards Thame.

The KR 175 is not in the picture as having blown the competition out of the water it is off down the garage getting petrol for the British gas guzzlers.

[marcus]

Yup, I used to stay there with my Godmother and her family.

[Garybond]

Perhaps they were ashamed of it and hid it after all you could park it round the back of the others and you would not see it

[Big Al]

Then again it could have left early 'to get through traffic jams in Newbury'. Old history but the perennial excuse for southern Schmitters to leave events early back a'longa.

[marcus]

I reckon the photographer would have been booked for perhaps 1 or 2 hours for the dawn shots then the "on-the-road" shots. The other cars were still owned by factories/agents, the KR was privately owned. The Trade would have been VERY keen to get the publicity and ensured they were there on time, the privateer(s) in the KR perhaps not so bothered, and perhaps overslept, were delayed or took a scenic route, missing the dawn arrival and line-up shots, but arriving in time for the action ones.

[Barry]

The KR probably broke down!

[marcus]

LD, copies on their way to you!

[richard]

ta