Registrar's Reports
This New page is designed to give Peerless and Warwick Owners who are not TR Register members the chance to read the latest reports published in the TRaction Magazine.
TR Register report 216 January 2007
Peerless beats Ferrari's to the finish line
Now there's a head line you never thought you'd see!
Yes Gary Stretton finished 15th out of 28 cars in the Hackett Beaujolais Run 2006. Quite how he managed this dressed as Austin "Polyester" Powers with all the camera equipment pressed up against the windows, Spiderman wedged in the passengers seat, a boot full of wine (personnel consumption only…yea right have you seen how much this person can consume) and a phrase book published by the National Farmers Union it's a wonder he got back alive!
I went down to see them off from Goodwood circuit on the 14th November leaving home at 5.15am the roads where quiet and I made good time. On arriving in the paddock just before 7.30am I found Frank, Gary and his photographer Matt fettling the car ready for the parade lap. After the drivers briefing and short speech by Damon Hill it was off onto the track. One wet lap later and they where heading for
The Eurotunnel. I'll let Gary take over from here.
Arrived at the Euro tunnel at 11.30am
Calais to Reims and Verve Clicquot, champagne tasting before retiring to our hotel. Lots of hotel bar banter etc
Wednesday 15th
Reims to Macon via six checkpoints, deciphering clues along the way to find where the checkpoints were, in fancy dress. Me as Austin polyester Powers and Matt as Spiderman.
We left at 9.am in the morning and rolled up in Macon at 7.30, having found all the checkpoints.
Memorable quotes:
"just love your (Aston, AC, Bristol etc)."
"It's not a (etc); it's a Peerless"
"A what"
Five minute conversations usually followed.
"What the bloody hell is THAT. I love it!" quote from
Winning driver of the Lotus Esprit S3 after we met at Checkpoint 2 - They couldn't shake us off en route
Euro tunnel asked me not to start the engine until all the doors on the train were open as the Peerless exhaust was tripping their fire protection system.
Car was totally reliable, covering 1500 miles in 36 hours.
I told Gary these cars were hot stuff.
The charity auction raised over £20,000 on the first night and to date the total stands at £75,000.
Gary would like to thank all the members who have donated to the charity web site www.justgiving.com/classicsmonthly this, by the way is still running if you haven't already done so check it out. So far The Classics Monthly Peerless team has raised £3000.
Cars
Paul Confavreux has been in touch to say he has started the engine in his rolling chassis after 30 years and thanks to Bill Piggott in helping him to obtain the original registration again. Well they hadn't got a leg to stand on really as he is the only registered owner for the last 42 years!
Dennis Marcus has sent me some pictures of 700BKA that I mentioned in the last report. He says that the chassis and body are in such good condition that he's not going to separate them. Being a Phase one car I don't blame him as it is a lot of work. It sounds like a family affair as his brother is being dragged in to do the wiring; I wonder what Dylan his 3 year old son is going to help do.
The Blue Warwick JSL 406 has been sold for an undisclosed sum, the new owner Jim Prentice has said he wants to convert it to a V8 for racing. He already competes in an ex- Alan Mann Mustang in the top hat series.
Mike Rutherford has been in touch and is looking for another Peerless, after selling his car to Celia and Ian he has improved his garage and is missing the oily patch on the floor. Can anyone help?
Bob Wadman e mailed from the States to say he has bought the yellow "modified" car that was advertised on the web site. He owned a Peerless in 64 and regretted selling it, looking at the pictures of his new purchase he might regret it again!
Events.
This year will be the starting point of our 50th anniversary. It was in the spring of 1957 when the first prototype was registered and we mustn't let this slip by unnoticed! So what are we going to do? Hopefully some of us will have chewed this over at the New Year Bash but I would like to hear your ideas and what you want to do. I'm not looking for extra work you understand and would be looking for members to take on certain areas like historical articles; trips to places connected to the cars etc.…there only so many plates I can keep spinning on my own!
Paul Confavreux has mentioned that he is in contact with the Slough Museum and is looking into the old site and information on that period and Celia has kindly volunteered to talk to the ACO at Le Mans to see if we can get a display area for 2008. So what can you do?
We have been invited to Prescott on the 12th and 13th of May 2007. Diane and I went last year with the Cotswold Vale TR group and had a lovely day. Timed runs go on all day of which you can take part in if you've prebooked/paid. Jake and I went up in the lunch time parade lap, like his granddad he was waffling on about something or other until we hit the first hairpin wear upon I just got a "whooo" from somewhere down the front passengers foot well and then it was just that sweet, torquey sound of the four pot all the way to the finish line!
And the last item…2006, how was it for you? For us as a club it was I think you will agree a good year. Celia and Ian racing at Le Mans, a fine turn out at the International with members travelling from abroad, well received display at Bromley, cars displayed at the NEC and Burford, Cars bought and sold, Gary's entry in the Beaujolais Run, new body shells in production, full colour articles in prominent motoring magazines, new chassis's for sale and even key fobs in stock!
Well that's it again folks, keep warm and happy.
TR Register report 215 December 2006
Beaujolais or Bust, More expeditions for the P&W fraternity
As this goes to press the Beaujolais Run sponsored by Hackett's has been and gone, why does that interest us I hear you say, well for those of you who are surfers of the net already know, Gary Stretton has borrowed Frank Wrights car and hopefully completed the run in record time!
This all started in mid September when Gary posted an S.O.S. on the P&W Forum asking if anyone was daft enough to lend him a Peerless or Warwick so he could compete in the Beaujolais Run. This is no mean feat (a bit like Celia's dancing boots) to let your pride and joy loose without you on board. Frank kindly agreed and we three met up at the Saxon Mill in Warwick…yes birthplace of the first Warwick prototypes, and had a little thrash around. Gary seemed to enjoy himself following me around the countryside with Frank's white knuckles holding the dashboard!
The entry fee is £500 and you have to raise £2000 for the chosen charities, Great Ormond Street Children's Charity and the Down's Syndrome Association. Gone are the days of you trudging round all your nearest and dearest asking on bended knee for a small donation, nowadays you just "click" onto a web site and choose your amount and pay by Credit card. By the way collections are still going on and Classics Monthly will match the final amount so if you want to donate to a good course then go to:
www.justgiving.com/classicsmonthly
I wrote a quick note to Jon & Gwen and put it in a bottle, threw it in the cut, and waited for a reply. They whistled back from the engine room to say they are both well and have made it along the Bristol Channel and "up tu north". They are now working their way to the Foulridge tunnel before it closes for the winter. I wish I had a camera to take a picture of Jon's little legs "walkin the tunnel wall" but I bet he wimps out and uses that new fangled diesel engine.
Talking of where registrars have been, I went on a trip with my mate Richard (yea the one with the funny walk after Malvern) the other weekend. London to Brighton in a Land Rover. With the windscreen folded down, no roof, wearing a bowler hat, vicar's dog collar, Dick Emery false teeth in the rain. It was a great trip and yes there are photo's some of which the register could not print.
Racing news
Will these pair ever stop, here's the latest from Celia & Ian racing at Spa and Snetterton.
Spa was a 61 minute optional 2 driver race run by Top Hat, and
called the Top Hat Enduro, open to all cars that were eligible for all the
Top Hat series. There were 86 cars entered! Ian and I both drove the
Peerless, and I went out first in Qualifying. This proved to be a bit of a
nightmare, as we were in the bottom of the power range, along with cars like
an A40, A35s, Sunbeam Rapier; the top of the power range being a Lola, some
Chevrons, Mustangs and the like ! As some of the faster car drivers were not
aware of the differential between us, and some, not all, I hasten to add
were rather "over-horsed " with their metal steeds and spent rather a lot
of time picking bits of metal and themselves off various bits of the track!!
This resulted in many stops and yellow flags, so in the end I had a little
under two flying laps, and Ian had one. Not very satisfactory. Ian
discovered that the 550 tyres we were running on the rear wheels ( oversize
for Le Mans ) were rubbing on the spring hangers, and as we only had one
rather worn 500 with us ( couldn't afford any more!) I set off to try to
find some more 500s or we wouldn't be racing. An Alfa driver sold us one,
bless him, but that was it, the worn one would have to go on the inside
Ian spent most of the day trying to sort out a Vauxhall Firenzas' clutch so they could race (7 hours but he sorted it!)
I must just mention the Squirrel racing team (TR3A)
were going to let us swap tyres with them if it meant we could get out, what
stars, the real spirit of motor racing!
Racing next day, we hadn't qualified too well, but I took the first
stint, which was a rolling start, and away we went. Yellow flags almost
immediately as someone went off at the end of the straight after Eau Rouge,
off we went again, and I managed to overtake a couple including the Sunbeam,
only to spin 360 on a left hander when the dodgy tyre just couldn't take my
enthusiasm ! Galling to see the two cars I'd overtaken go past, but I
managed to get the Sunbeam again, more yellow flags before La source
hairpin, and there down the pit straight was our friend in a Moggy shunted
into the wall by a Chevron. Still on yellows I missed my "IN" board as I
was watching out for the crashed cars next time round, only to have the
safety car come out: so I took the opportunity to pit so Ian could take
over. Excellent change-over, but poor Ian was held in the pit lane along
with 4 other cars for 10 minutes, frustrating or what. Out they went, he
got one racing lap and the race was stopped prematurely as a Mustang had
gone off and the Clerk of the Course decided enough was enough. So poor Ian
had no race at all, and indeed to add insult to injury, he was overtaken on
a red flag by a driver who wasn't even pulled up for it!!
We finished 71 of 86, but that really didn't reflect a true result due
to the circumstances. Never mind we all survived to try again!
We were racing at Snetterton with the Classis Sports Car Club, in a 40
minute race for one or two drivers. Qualifying went fairly well, Ian taking
first stint, as I was determined for him to have some decent time on track
after the disappointing Spa. He went a lot faster than me as usual!! (I am
getting there slowly though!) He was extremely consistent, only varying by
around one second each lap. I went afterwards, and enjoyed belting around
Snett in glorious weather. There were 17 starters in our race, a V8 Morgan,
2 x E Type Jags a Mustang two Spitfires a Herald, and a TR6, amongst others.
Irene and David Tydeman, and Peter and Maureen Hudspith came from our local
TR group to support us, took lots of photos and took their place on the pit
wall!! It was good to see them there.
Ian got a good start took about 4 or 5 cars , then the Lotus 7 spun right
in front of him so he had to take avoiding action to stop becoming embroiled
and promptly lost those places ! Once again he was very consistent, and
brought the Peerless in after around 25 mins for me to take over. I had a
super race, managing at long last to "drift" the car round the bend at the
end of the pit straight. Fantastic feeling, and so satisfying. Then poor
Chris Blewett lost a wheel complete with half shaft at the bomb hole, and I
came round the bend to see it lying in the middle of the road in front of me
!! Missed it though. Chequered flag came out far too early I thought, but
actually right on time, and we finished 10th, the only Triumph engined car
to actually complete the race !! Great day and the little car went
beautifully !
Well that's the ups and downs of racing.
P&W New Year bash.
Saturday 13th January 2007
I have had a look around and have found a venue for our proposed bash.
A Rural hotel near Stourbridge/Kidderminster that can offer a three course menu for £16 per head and a double room with breakfast for £90 based on two sharing a room. I put the two sharing idea to the present Mrs Cluley and at first she was reluctant but then after ironing my pink fur peek-a-boo boxer shorts thought she may see the funny side.
This Hotel allows us to stay in one place for the entire evening with no taxi/coach problems. The Car park is quiet, but would expect most members will come in the euro box anyway.
Please give me a call or e mail and I will give you more details on how to book. I already have 6 down to go but we must get this sorted before the middle of December.
Cars.
I was contacted by Dennis Marcus from Co Claire, Ireland the other day saying he has just bought 700 BKA GT2/00076. It's reported to be sound and he intends to restore it himself, hopefully he will send me some pictures and info.
I have spoken to Iain Sinclair whose car was for sale last month, no takers yet but he was going to put it on eBay and see how it goes.
Jonathan sent me some pictures from a guy in the states who has found two cars. The story goes that a piece of land was being cleared for building and these two forlorn vehicles were dragged from the undergrowth. They are supposedly complete but may need a little TLC?
That's all for this one, see you sometime.
Peerless and Warwick report 214 November 2006
We've got better coverage than a gallon of Dulux!
Have you seen and read all the press interest in our mark this month. Firstly thanks to Gary Stretton for his superb 8 page Le Mans Classic article in Classic's Monthly Magazine, haven't got one yet, well call the back issues hot line 0870 837 4773 and ask for issue number 116….which is spooky as that's my chassis number. It's a very informative look at the hole weekend, showing you how to get there what to see and do and of course some very good pictures of the peerless and some very worrying shots of Alec Pringle.
Also in this copy we have Gary's "Driver Diaries" which shows the cars in Houx camping area at Le Mans and a ten car line up at the international.
We now move on to another "Glossy mag" the October issue Of Classic and Sports Car (back issue no 08456 777 800) a full two page article on the TR International with lots of pictures from the show ground. We get a mention as having "a strong Peerless & Warwick turn out"
and a piece on Celia, Ian and their car. I have to quote Celia's comment that "peerless people are the friendliest, maddest people in the world" where did she get that idea from?
Moving on, Frank's, Wright and Jones flew the flag at the Specials day at Burford, a great day out from all reports with good weather.
Jonathan Hill sent me some very flattering pictures of goodwood where he met up with Don Ensley from the USA. Don is restoring a GT 350 with some very interesting modifications; I will be chasing Don up to see if he will tell all in a later addition.
Also seen at Goodwood was the blue Warwick JSL 406, this car was advertised at £9,950 by Hepworth International. They sold it in August to Julius Thurgood of Top Hat Racing. Mr Thurgood now has it for sale at..….£18,950.
I have info on another car for sale, a phase one registration no 89 CUP owned for the last 40 years by Ian Sinclair. The car is dry stored and solid. There is however a lot to do to a car that was last taxed in 1991. Interior is in good order, engine turns by hand, overdrive is not working. It's on TR6 wheels and painted metallic gold. The picture here shows it after restoration some time ago, more pictures are on the web site and Ian's number is 01223 893390.
More spooky stuff.
Whilst at A VSSC meeting I was approached by Rolland Weeks who said he had owned a peerless in the early seventies, I asked if he could remember the registration, he thought for a while and said "626 I think" I replied "TTP 626" he was impressed at my detailed knollage of the car, I told him that whilst in his ownership he had met another member in Barry south Wales called Graham Sutton, he was stunned and said "yes that's right, amazing" I described some of the modifications to the car, again he was shocked and complemented me on my research…I then "let it out the bag" that I had owned the car in the mid eighties!
I went as all good register members should do, to my local group meeting where I was presented with an M.O.T. certificate for a phase 2 639 MTW. Brian had said to me years ago that his neighbour had owned a Peerless and would nag him for a photo. Unfortunately the chap couldn't find any but came across this bit of paper work and sent it to me. I have no record for this car at all, but when I was 14 a friend of mine Andy also owned a Peerless in the same area, that friend now lives across the road from me so I went over and showed him. He sold the car complete in primer to a gentleman in Malvern. I notice on the certificate the recorded mileage was 12,632. Either it had "gone round" once or had had a sheltered life. Where are you now 639 MTW ?
And finally the end of year bash. In the 11 days from you reading the last report to me writing this one I have had one phone call, and that was to discuss three different topics, this one being the last! So I will blindly carry on and find an overnight venue somewhere in the midlands area so it would be central to all. It will be a Saturday night in January. Unless I hear otherwise. I will endeavour to keep the cost realistic.
That's all for this one, see you sometime.
TR Register Report 213 September 2006
What a few months we've had, a great result at the Le Mans Classic by Celia and Ian and then a great turn out at Malvern.
Well for those of you who attended the Peerless & Warwick Register International at Malvern you may have seen a few TR's about, don't know what they were doing but I hope you made them welcome.
The show started on the Wednesday before for Richard and myself, loading vans and setting up, finishing on Monday night back at Didcot. Thanks to Adam and Jake, Frank and Jon for all their hard work.
And you just thought it was the fairies that did it, well the way Richard was walking on Sunday night I think I agree with you!
How about Wolfgang and Dagmar in their Peerless coming all the way from Cologne, Germany with their daughter Celine.
Wolfgang said he was leaving Malvern on Monday to meet a previous owner of his car so hopefully we can do a story in the winter about that.
Erik came from Holland via Franks via The Saxon Mill, another story there as well. He promised to bring his car next year; we will hold you to that Erik.
Duncan and Joe both managed to get their Warwick's to the show.
Monty the dog can be the new compact mascot and he won a rosette……second shortest tail.
And of course all the usual suspects.
And what can I say about the BBQ!
Denise and Frank Wright with help from Dave and Lou did a fantastic BBQ in the middle of a field with a lot of wobberly gazebo's in the rain with a lot of wobberly members (one for Uncle Frank there!) chatting away in the background. From all who were there thank you for a fantastic meal.
Le Mans cars in the ring, two out of the four were Peerlesses, how about that!
Thanks must also go to Ken and Christine as due to Ken's work commitments they couldn't get to us till 10.00pm Saturday night and I know the work that has gone into getting the car back on the road.
I hope everyone had a god time and if you feel left out well that's because you didn't come to Malvern and join in the fun.
I must admit we didn't get to see the Friday night band Fairplay but they sounded good from our camp, and you know as a family the Cluley's are bias about Soul Trader on the Saturday night, brilliant. I have spoken to the Band this week and they really enjoyed the gig and have recorded it, I will see what it's like.
Thanks to all who signed Jon Nolan's gift, only a small appreciation of all the work he's put in SO FAR, he will get the other half when he comes back to do the other half!
Eleven cars this year and lots more members turning up, the biggest P&W camp I have ever seen. I will look for a new Gazebo for next year as I think we will need two stories and a balcony if this attendance keeps up!
So what next? What about an autumn meeting with cars or a one night Christmas bash in a hotel? I know you've just tried ringing with ideas and it's engaged, but keep trying as your call is important to us. The Christmas idea would be easier to arrange. We could move it to January if everyone's booked up in December.
TR Action Number 212 july 2006
Well I didn't think I'd last this long, although I haven't looked at the letters page in this edition yet!
Hopefully you will get to read this just before you come and swell the numbers at the TR Register International at Malvern this weekend…yes THIS weekend. Forget cutting the lawn, or going shopping for those new mauve flares, satin gold waistcoat and paisley cravat. Pack your beer tokens and tent and get down there. We have Soul Trader on Saturday night this time so bring your dancing pants at least.
Also by the time you read this we should have displayed at The Bromley Pageant as mentioned in the last report. I hope I got there, oh yes I've taken it to bits again just as the sun has come out. Will "tell all" in the winter months when I'm scratching around for bits to fill this space. Come to think of it, is this the Nolan curse as soon as you become registrar you become Peerlessless?
Racing.
Celia and Ian raced at brands Hatch in May and have sent me this report:
"Had a goodish race in the rain (again) at Brands on Sat. Don't like the track and it didn't really suit the Peerless, but I got another super start taking two on the grid. Managed to keep them behind me for half the race but they got me in the end. The Peerless was sliding all over the place in the conditions and I spent quite a lot of time with no traction at all!!
Really would like to go faster but don't think I could've then, Ian probably could, but he treats the Peerless more like a racing car whereas I treat him like an old friend and probably don't take so many risks . However our race was the only one which wasn't red flagged for cars going off the track in the bad conditions, we only had one non-finisher, not bad really for a bunch of mad people racing old cars, (which the Peerless is one of the oldest!)
So there we have it, Celia is only willing to take risks with her old male friends, I think we will have to take cover at the International.
I organise an informal meeting at Curborough Sprint Track once a year usually in early June.
The weather was with us again this year and we all had some fun. Jade brought his modified V8 Peerless along and like all good workmen blamed his tools saying he had no brakes....I ask you, next it will be lack of ground clearance, heavy steering or to cold in the cockpit. Not having a Peerless for this outing I was kindly offered a share in my neighbour's car for the afternoon. Very enjoyable indeed as Steve has worked all winter to improve the car and it certainly went well, in fact I hope I didn't upset him as I put some quicker times in than he did. Still he had the last laugh as he has pictures of me driving it…...and it is an MG. what's that someone at the door, oh it's Chris Cunnington, hello Chris and a couple of heavies....no no you cant have my membership card and this registrar's badge has only just been tattoo on!
I have already had one enquiry for a new body shell. Mike Ramsey Frasier maybe looking at replacing the heavily damaged car he has been restoring for several years in between other projects.
Also by the time we are all enjoying the good weather at Malvern our web site will have clocked up over 50,000 hits. To those who have not seen it yet for all sorts of reasons find someone who can show you, a neighbour, friend, work colleague or anyone under 12! It really is great to see the information shared on the site; I only wished I'd had all this info when I was restoring BP.What am I saying I'm still restoring BP!
One more snippet of info. I contacted a supplier yesterday for a price on rear brake shoes…ouch. Don't throw your old brake shoes away as they are working on an exchange basis from now on. At the prices I've been quoted I'll get my local lorry workshop to re-line the old ones. I will let you know the final cost.
Last good meeting of the year for P&W owners is the Specials day at Burford on Sunday 6th August. This is a really nice relaxing day. Set in the grounds of the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens with a small gauge railway and Café there's something to see for all the family. We are invited once again by the Fairthorpe Owners Club.
I myself will not be able to attend this year as I am on holiday in deepest Cornwall, although one year whilst on holiday I did drive up from Weymouth to Bromsgrove, cut the lawns (brownie points gained) swapped cars, drove down to Burford for the day, drove back to Bromsgrove, swapped cars and drove back down to Weymouth getting back to the caravan at 11.30 pm (and lost all the brownie points gained!) That's all for this one, see you sometime.
TR Action Number 211 April 2006
You know when you've had a few drinks and you wake up the next day, go for a shower and while your having a shave you're looking in the mirror and you start to remember what you said the night before. Well I don't remember saying
"Tonight Mathew I'm going to be Peerless & Warwick Registrar!"
He's a cunning fellow that Jon Nolan, or should I say Captain Pug Wash.
Now about Jon, may I say that Jon has only done half of the expected term of office for a P&W Registrar (10 years is the historical norm!) but I think you'd agree that his commitment to the building of our award winning website and I would add at his own personnel expense has done more for the promotion of our cars than could be expected from one person. On behalf of our members and the TR Register Thank You Jon and I know you will be back, well I hope so it's your round matey!
Introduction
So here goes the first of many I hope.
My name is Nigel Cluley and I've been a member of the TR Register for 20 years, and have fiddled with old cars for longer, ooh if you only new my upbringing! Most people who are reading this already know me (and have moved onto reading the parts for sale) as I've been quite active over the years. I am part of the working party at the TR International, and organise a track day once a year at Curborough.
I finally got my Phase one on the road in 1999 and have been up and down and sometimes out of the country since then.
We've been on the Lakes tours, Mallory track days, Le Mans trips, awarded trophies and have exhibited the car on the TR Register stand at the NEC.
P&W news.
Stop the press…..New body shells for sale!
As you may remember Celia and Ian have taken moulds of a Phase one, well Jon and I have seen the first complete body shell, and what a sight. Cost is estimated at £1500 which when you look at some of the restoration projects about makes good sense. I understand there maybe those that think to re-body a car is not original but I for one would rather see another car on the road instead of a wreck awaiting major TLC. Give me a Beer…...sorry call if you wish to know more.
On the 17th April my pit crew and I went to see The Big Green Racing Machine at Castle Combe. A bit cold and windy but a great day's racing. Celia & Ian were competing in the "Oldies but Goldie's" and came 23rd out of a field of 42 and 4th in their class, well done, oh and I won't mention Celia trimming the grass at Quarry Corner!
If anyone can go and support these guys they will make you most welcome and will no doubt share their Champagne buffet followed by strawberries and ice cream.
That's all from the Celia and Ian Appreciation Society!
919 UXO/ GT2 /00314 has been sold on eBay and I believe it went for just over £5000. This car was featured in the George Best film although was then re-sprayed red. It did attend the International 05.I have e mailed the seller and asked if they would forward my details. Hope the new owners get in touch!
Another new member who's got in touch and I have subsequently met at the triumph Spares day is Duncan Trigg. Duncan has purchased Graham Heather's Warwick SCS 879 chassis no W/GT 0026. This some of you may have seen at the Specials Day at Burford and in fact on our very own "Cars for sale" page on the infamous web site.
Our regular and first "pitch" of the year is Classic Monthly's Bromley Pageant on Sunday 25th June. Always a hot day with plenty to see, get in touch if you want to come.