My apologies in advance for posting a non-MG picture but I wondered in the spirit of supporting research in general whether anyone with access to Cowbourne might be able to help me in identifying this picture..
Well I do have all the Cowbournes but I don't think that will help. The competition number is a rather unusual heavy font which probably rules out the main MCC events. The only mainstream event to use a similar font was the Brighton-Beer but even that doesn't seem quite right. I suspect this is from a smaller club event instead.
Thanks Kevin. Not having ever seen a copy of Cowbourne, I don't know what information they hold. I had been lead to understand that one could cross reference vehicle registration numbers. That seems perhaps not to be the case...
Having recently bought two volume of the three volume set of British Trial Drivers by Donald Cowbourne. Number three is in the post.
I offer the following thoughts. A three volume set all around the 600 page mark . So 1800 pages all in. Lots of information and photos. Great period atmosphere. Big crowds in the middle of no where. Lots of mud. Hats and trench coats.
Unless the car has a history or important owner/ driver. The only way is to wade through all three volumes. All pre-databases. So little cross referencing. Great source but long term research tool. All the best.
UW XXXX was only issued in London from (I believe) August 1929 until December 1929. UW 3922 (an MG M) was registered in October, so we may be looking at an August or September London car.
I'm afraid I still think that it was just a small club event and not one in Donald's books.
The font, the low number (motorbikes went first in the main events) and even the style of the picture. It might prove virtually impossible to track down unless you fall very lucky
From Cowbourne:- It would not be an MCC , Exeter, Lands End or Edinburgh because all early numbers are motor bikes. MCC Sporting trial 1931 no. 37 P.A.Taneborne 1932 no. 37 H.C.Hobson MCC July Trial no number 37 North West London M.C. Gloucester Trial 1931 J.C.C.Bond Bronze medal Brighton Beer Trial no numbers recorded for 1929,1930,1932 or 1934 However, A.E.Marsh was entered in 1929 and he was well known and may have had a picture taken. (He went on to later do the 100 ascents of Beggars Roost in an M type and was the Father of Jem Marsh of Marcos cars.) Colmore Trial - no number 37s
Donald Cowbourne's life-work is certainly a remarkable research tool, but the books only cover the major trials including the three big MCC events, the Lands End, Exeter and Edinburgh Trials, plus the MCC Sporting Trials and Rallies, the Brighton to Beer, the London to Gloucester and the Colmore Trials plus a number of Scottish events. During the 1928 to 1939 period there were dozens and dozens of smaller trials, many of them one day or half day events, and reports and programmes for these are difficult to find. If UW 2033 is the same car as is shown climbing Beggars Roost in the 1930 Lands End, as shown in the Austin Harris images, the Entrant Mr Fisher had graduated to a Fraser Nash by 1931.
I am with Kevin on this. The mystery event is almost certainly a small club trial and is likely to be very difficult if not impossible to investigate more fully.
Thank you all for your comments. I had a feeling it would be a long shot but you never know. A little background might just provide further explanation. The photo (we think of a cutting from a magazine or newspaper) is one of a set of photos loaned to the Austin 7 Archive from the family archives of the Boyd-Carpenter family. Boyd-Carpenter was a privateer and car builder of Austin 7 based racing and road going cars of the late 20s who had some geuine success. Most of the other photos in the collection we have been able to identify, but this has remained a complete mystery. Clearly the family had collected it and one assumes it is a Boyd Carpenter car, but after that...
I had hoped that Cowbourne may have shed some light, but clearly I didn't know what information the books held and in what form. Thanks to those who took the time to look...
Sorry to be a dog with a bone. I Googled( as you do) Boyd-Carpenter race cars . Photos of various Austins and registrations at Brooklands and trials. All Austins and about the correct date. The man had a career interest in cars and racing in various forms. The basic material appears to be available what is missing is the background information. All the best.
This is a Boyd carpenter in the 1930 inter varsity trial. The unusual font can clearly be seen on the number 7. The card is larger on yours though so maybe the same event, different year
Now look at the same club's speed trial in 1931
This time both the font and the card size look like a good match, even if not absolutely 100%. I suspect therefore we are pretty close and I'd be putting my efforts in around these events if I were you
I think that this would clarify that it is the same car as posted by Hugh. Notice the mascot tied and hanging from the radiator cap.
Brian.
Furthermore;
As seen on the comments of the LAT photo.
"168 was T S Fisher, seen here on Beggar's" Roost"
Cowbourne does list him as an entrant in the Lands End Trial 1930 event. Page 43. Nothing more to add except there must be about 20 entrants with Morris in the trial.
I think that this would clarify that it is the same car as posted by Hugh. Notice the mascot tied and hanging from the radiator cap.
Brian.
Furthermore;
As seen on the comments of the LAT photo.
"168 was T S Fisher, seen here on Beggar's" Roost"
Cowbourne does list him as an entrant in the Lands End Trial 1930 event. Page 43. Nothing more to add except there must be about 20 entrants with Morris in the trial.
Brian.
Edit;
Page 135, Cowbourne.
1930 Lands End trial. No. 168. T. S. Fisher. Won a Silver Award. Model of car "BC". 747 cc
Thanks Brian and Kevin for further input. I am following up on the possibility of an InterVarsity connection. Through a rather tenuous connection, I think I may be able to gain access to some relevant records, though I may not get a speedy reply. We shall see.
I know it's an almost impossible question to answer but do we think the driver in 'my' photo is the same one as in the 'Austin Harris' photo? I don't think there is any doubt over the car - as well as the chain and mascot there are some very obvious spot lights mounted either side of the screen which appear identical.
I spent an hour or so trawling through the Brunell photos at Allamy.com last night in the vain hope of spotting something, but nothing - apart from a number 37 car in the InterVarsity Novemeber 1931 Trial which eliminated that event as a possibilty. I was quite disappointed!
Any clues in Cowbourne?
Forum Locked
Posted - 09/04/2018 : 09:17:44
