GP100
comprised
the initials of Gerald Palmer, the designer of the
Magnette and other British cars and 100 was to mark the centenary of his birth
in 1911. It was also
hoped to get 100 Palmer designed cars to the event, and that is what we actually
achieved! Other
single-marque clubs representing his major creations were invited, as well as
Palmer’s daughter, Celia, his biographer Christopher Balfour and a number of his
former colleagues. This was to be a very special celebration indeed.
The
first Magnetteers assembled on Friday afternoon at “event HQ”, Wroxall Abbey, in
Warwickshire, where, thanks to Director and Magnetteer Grant Howlett, we had
been given almost exclusive use of Wroxall Court, which was probably the stable
block in years past. This estate has a history dating back to the 12th century
and provided a lovely background for the Magnettes as you can see in the
pictures. We all enjoyed being immersed in English history, at the former
country seat of Sir Christopher Wren, complete with its abbey ruins, Wren Church
and Victorian Gothic mansion.
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| Assembling on friday arrival at Wroxall Court | |||
The programme was chosen to please everybody. After Friday
arrivals with warm greetings, friends reunited and much clinking of glasses
round the courtyard barbecue, everyone retired in anticipation of the Saturday,
which was the main day of the weekend with reserved display parking at the BMIHT
motor museum at Gaydon and a programme of special celebratory events.
The organisers arranged a unique display of Palmer-designed cars ranging from
the Scammel lorry through Y-type, Jowett Javelin, Wolseley 4/44, ZA Magnette,
Wolseley 15/50, Riley Pathfinder, Wolseley 6/60 and MGA Twin-Cam. The Jowett
contingent was on hand because the facilities at Gaydon were also being used by
the Jowett Car Club for their main annual event and the Register had liaised
with them from the outset to ensure maximum synergy. With reasonable confidence,
we can claim that Palmer’s memory was honoured by the attendance of 100 of his
creations. As a focused display drawn from a slice of British motoring history,
it was probably unique and its like may not be seen again.
About 50 Magnettes turned up and it would have been more
if the sun had come out earlier! In the morning, a cold wind blew across the
site, taking any loose papers and regalia with it. It was a familiar feeling for
anyone who has been to Silverstone. But later in the afternoon, the wind died
down and the sun came out, albeit too late.
Fortunately, a warm refuge was available in the museum’s
conference centre, where a series of talks and seminars had been arranged for
the afternoon. First up was Christopher Balfour, who co-wrote “Auto-Architect”,
Palmer’s autobiography. He commented on aspects of the automotive industry,
Palmer’s career within it and his treatment at BMC, introducing some
controversial opinions about the rift with Leonard Lord. Then came a fascinating
panel session entitled “Working With Palmer” with John Payne (engineer), Phil
Green (ex Jowett, Vauxhall & Volvo), Alan Webb (ex Cowley drawing office) and
Peter Tothill (ex-BMC experimental dept.), all former colleagues of Palmer.
Payne, in particular, had created The Oxford Hoist, and Palmer contributed to
the design of this successful product, still widely used to move invalids in
hospitals world-wide.
Celia Palmer, Geralds daughter, kindly agreed to present the prizes and, indeed,
appeared to be thoroughly enjoying the event dedicated to her father’s memory.
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| Palmer designed cars in line | too many Magnette to get on one picture | ||
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| grilles | bumpers | on the right the Jowetts | |
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| grilles & bumpers | |||
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| John Beesley's car nearly finished... | |||
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| An old rally car | Varitones | ||
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| Danish car with nice flaps | Single coloured Varitone | ||
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| The NTG winner | |||
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| Trade stands | Register welcome and parts stall | ||
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| Gerald Palmer's daughter Celia cutting the birthday cake | Special Award: Andrew deBernes with his red V8 | Best Palmer Car of the Day: Grant Howlett with his one-family owned ZA |
The Nuffield Trophy – Concours d’Elegance: Peter Cadman |
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| Chairman Paul Batho with the birthday cake | on the way to Wroxall | ||
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| Dinner | The MG bar | night night... | |
It was also great to see Ian Metcalf's dragster out for the first time. Not ready, but it was the first outing for the car. This two door saloon will be used for dragster racing, but is street legal! I'm really looking forward to see this car in action. But this car is absolut nothing for purists and I heard people saying it's not a Magnette. In my view it is and it's a nice contrast to original grey Z's:
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The Enigma racing team. They already have fun with a unfinished car.... | ||
After the Gaydon gathering finished, the celebrations
continued back at Wroxall Abbey with a centenary dinner. Paul Batho, Register
Chairman, proposed a toast to the guests and John Day, Chairman of the MG Car
Club (and former Magnette owner!) responded with a toast to Palmer’s genius.
Thanks to the kind donation of one of the last available new copies of
”Auto-Architect” by Christopher Balfour and of two subscriptions to Classic &
Sportscar by the Editor, we were able to hold an auction that raised £170. Half
of these proceeds will be given to the Macmillan Nurses charity, nominated by
Celia Palmer. To finish the evening we had the choice of a conventional
night-cap or, for the true connoisseur, fabulous “Old Speckled Hen” from the
tap.
Nevertheless, most revellers got up early enough on Sunday to go for the scenic
run organised by John and Cynthia Harris along small country roads between
Wroxall and Upton House, a fine National Trust property near Edge Hill. It was
formerly owned Walter Samuel, 2nd Viscount Bearsted, who owed his fortune to the
fact that his father Marcus Samuel was the founder of the oil company Shell
Transport & Trading.
We were pleased to see Christopher and Ann Balfour took
part in their Bristol and Celia Palmer was chauffeured for the trip by Andy and
Jo Brock in his very original ZA, the “pur sang” of the marque. The well chosen
rural route passed through some superb English villages and was populated with
more horses and sheep than other traffic. Our safe arrival was rewarded by the
opportunity to park our cars in front of the house and on the impressive drive.
After plenty of time to see the superb picture collection, the Shell poster
display and the magnificent gardens as well as to enjoy lunch in the café, the
event ended with final farewells at about 3.00pm to allow those with longer
journeys to arrive home at a reasonable hour.
It is some time since the Magnette Register has organised
a weekend event on this scale and it is to be hoped that the turn-out achieved
and the positive feedback received will encourage them to do more. For this one,
the Register and its organising committee deserve our thanks and praise. An
important anniversary did not pass uncelebrated; indeed, it was celebrated in
fitting style.
Some more pictures are on www.GP100.org
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| Grant Howlett's concours winner | Wroxall Mansion | The park | |
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| on the scenic rum | |||
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| Upton House & gardens | |||
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| Mr. Christopher Balfour, who wrote the biographie of Palmer |
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