8 replies to this topic

[BANZAI]

Hi

Trying identify a couple of photos I picked up at an Autojumble recently, both pictures show the same car I think and are pre war ?

Any clues would be a great help , thanks in anticipation

Rob



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[Ted Walker]

Its the Vauxhall Villiers.

[Vitesse2]

Beat me to it, Ted! But in later guise as the Villiers Supercharge. In the yard at Eastgate House, Bourne.

There's a picture in Mays' "Split Seconds" which shows the car in the same spot, but slightly more complete than the first one. Probably taken the same day, as that's Peter Berthon in the plus fours and check shirt - he's wearing the same outfit in the one in the book! The mechanic in overalls isn't named in Mays' caption though.

The book's picture caption says "memories of 1929", but it must actually be late June or early July 1930.

The booklet "Raymond Mays of Bourne" includes another picture of the car in the same position as BANZAI's second photo, but with Ray himself in the driving seat.

There's a good chance that these pictures came from Mays' personal collection!

[BANZAI]

Many thanks to Ted and Vitesse2 for your help with the photos

The reply from Vitesse2 could not have been more informative and precise, just to add the photos have the stamp of photographer W.J Brunell of London to the rear.

Great job , thanks again

Rob

Edited by BANZAI, 23 May 2011 - 17:05.

[Alan Cox]

just to add the photos have the stamp of photographer W.J Brunell of London to the rear.

As you may know, W J (Bill) Brunell was a very well-known photographer of the first half of the twentieth century, specialising in motor sporting events, as well as architectural work. He also won the 1926 Monte Carlo Rally with Victor Bruce. A Google search will turn up a number of references. A nice find.

[BANZAI]

Thanks for that Alan , I hadn't been aware of the name until now

[Vitesse2]

Many thanks to Ted and Vitesse2 for you help with the photos

The reply from Vitesse2 could not have been more informative and precise, just to add the photos have the stamp of photographer W.J Brunell of London to the rear.

Great job , thanks again

Rob

Aha! WJ Brunell - father of racer/rallyist/triallist Kitty and well-known motoring photographer of the time. The picture in "Split Seconds" also shows Kitty sitting on the rear wheel of the car, while Amherst Villiers leans on the bonnet. So presumably a set commissioned by Ray for publicity purposes - it may be that some of these appeared in the press around that time.

Ray's pictures - found in a suitcase after his death - are now at Baldock's Mill Heritage Centre in Bourne:

http://homepages.whi...aldocksmill.htm

Edited by Vitesse2, 23 May 2011 - 17:11.

[Stephen W]

Vauxhall Villers at Shelsley

Follow the link to see a picture of the Vauxhall Villiers being driven up Shelsley by Julian Ghosh in 1986.

Edited by Stephen W, 24 May 2011 - 09:42.

[David McKinney]

...or a descendant of the Vauxhall-Villiers ;)