13 replies to this topic

[f1steveuk]

While digging around regarding the Mistrale Formula Ford, built in Eastbourne, I have found several references to a car, built in Eastbourne, called, "The Eastbourne".

Now I understand it's not a racing car as such, but it is suggested there was an entry for one at Brooklands in 1912.

I'm not at home, and as such have no access to my books etc, and wondered if any TNFers have a picture of an Eastbourne, or can confirm a Brooklands entry?

[Tim Murray]

According to the Georgano encyclopaedia it was made between 1905 and 1906 using a 2-cylinder Aster engine, a 4-speed gearbox and shaft drive. It was priced at £300 for a four-seater tonneau. No mention of any Brooklands appearance in WB's history.

[nicanary]

According to Georgano, it was only produced from 1905-06. A 12hp 2-cylinder Aster engine , 4-speed 'box and shaft drive. With a 4-seater tonneau body it was priced at £300. It dosn't sound too sporting.

[f1steveuk]

According to the Georgano encyclopaedia it was made between 1905 and 1906 using a 2-cylinder Aster engine, a 4-speed gearbox and shaft drive. It was priced at £300 for a four-seater tonneau. No mention of any Brooklands appearance in WB's history.

Thanks Tim, no picture I suppose? I also have it listed as available with a four cylinder A&O 15/16 engine

[Tim Murray]

Not in my edition of the book, Steve. Nicanary obviously has a different edition (as mine doesn't mention the 12 hp bit), so it's not impossible his does.

[Gav Astill]

The Eastbourne Motor Works exhibited their Aster powered car at the 1905 Crystal Palace Motor Show. A preview of the show in The Engineer contained a claim of some form of forced induction, to wit "It also has a carburetter in which the jet and extra air supply are connected, so that as the suction increases with the speed of the engine, a greater quantity of air in proportion to the greater supply of petrol is given."

Edited by Gav Astill, 29 May 2013 - 12:13.

[f1steveuk]

That ties in nicely. The I don't want to give out too much, because I want to see how "correct" some of the info' I have is. But the entry to Brooklands was to prove the forced induction system, created by a well known tuner of the time.

[Tim Murray]

In addition to The Engineer preview mentioned above by Gav, Google also throws up this page from the Commercial Motor for 28th September 1905 which includes the following:

Mr. L. Maxse Pible, of the Eastbourne Motor Works, Beach Road, Eastbourne, has recently supplied a 4-cylinder 16h.p. hotel omnibus to the Chatsworth Hotel in that wellknown watering place. The car is used for station work, meeting about 17 trains daily, and carries eight passengers with luggage.

I was hoping that a name as unusual as 'L. Maxse Pible' might readily show up in other searches, but no luck with Google.

Edited by Tim Murray, 29 May 2013 - 12:53.

[f1steveuk]

It is an unusual name, and it does prove it's the same car, there's a degree of mystery about some of the goings on!!!

[Allan Lupton]

The Eastbourne Motor Works exhibited their Aster powered car at the 1905 Crystal Palace Motor Show. A preview of the show in The Engineer contained a claim of some form of forced induction, to wit "It also has a carburetter in which the jet and extra air supply are connected, so that as the suction increases with the speed of the engine, a greater quantity of air in proportion to the greater supply of petrol is given."

I don't see that has any forced induction implications.
Early carbs were not as well-compensated as later ones and frequently had an "extra air" valve under the control of the driver. Since engines were operated as more or less constant speed devices, it was by fiddling with the extra air control that you got it running best for the speed you used - that and the timing of the ignition which would have been electric by '05.

[f1steveuk]

To add some further information, many years ago I asked for information on Zillwood "Sinbad" Milledge, who once had a house at 31 Western Road, Eastbourne. This address is a short walk from Beach Road Eastbourne where the 'Eastbourne' car was built. Records seem to indicate that all the Eastbourne's ever sold, were twin cylinder cars, but one, four cylinder was built, and this benefited from some tuning adjustments by one Mr Zillwood Milledge. I fail to believe there were two men called Sinbad Millegde, and that if there was, they would both have a direct link to Eastbourne and Brooklands, as it was this unique four cylinder 'Eastbourne', supposedly entered in a race at that very track as a proving exercise.

Currently, all evidence is circumstantial, but men have been hung on less! A picture of one of these cars is now a major target, as is more information!!

[Vitesse2]

I think you may need to get your Milledges in order, Steve!

They hailed from Dorset, although "Sinbad" was born in Yeovil in 1904. His real name was Sidney Zillwood Milledge and the Zillwood element of the name seems to come from his recently-deceased grandfather, Zillwood Milledge, and his uncle, Percy Zillwood Milledge.

In 1911 Percy lived at Hampton Wick - although according to the census he was an insurance clerk. His eldest son was called Calvert Zillwood Milledge, who was about seven years older than Sinbad. However, in later life, Calvert seems to have been in the coal import business. Nevertheless, given the time scale, I would have thought that if there was any truth in a Milledge connection it would more likely be to Percy or - less so - Calvert.

[Tim Murray]

Here's Steve's earlier thread on 'Sinbad':

Zilwood 'Sinbad' Miledge

[f1steveuk]

That's right, confuse me even more!

I got into this in 1980 ish, when I brought 31 Western Road (my first house purchase). Having already been in the Brooklands Society for five odd years, I knew the name Sinbad Milledge, and that was the name that appeared on the mortgage deeds for the period of the houses construction (1904) to 1922. It took a while,but it turned out to be the very same Sinbad Milledge who became known as a top class engineer, working with Percy Bradshaw at Brooklands. Now, just because his name appears on the deeds doesn't mean he lived there, but there is evidence he did stay there from time to time, and the name also appears on paperwork from the Eastbourne Motor Works Ltd.

He may well have just been a regular visitor, and he may have a relative installed in 31 Western Road, who he stayed with, I have no idea, but it's not a common name, and with both the Eastbourne and Brooklands connection the evidence is pretty strong, though not definitive I grant you!!