33 replies to this topic

[CDCJ]

Hi all,

At last, I found very nice site on web!!
This forum must be "think tank" of the history of motor sports!

I was looking for some information about the Doghouse club and found the information which once talked here as follows,

http://forums.autosp...hlight=doghouse

and Now I'm looking for some information about "International Doghouse Club". I've never found an information about the club.
What's different of The Doghouse owners club(otherwise known as The Women's Motor Racing Associates Club) and "International Doghouse Club"? They had different design's car badge each other at that time.
It's for woman and for man? I guess. If somebody know the club, please tell me.

I also interested in " steering wheel club". Please tell me about the club too.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,
CDCJ

[LOTI]

Hi! me again...
Sorry I have no idea about the international doghouse but the Steering Wheel was a bar and restaurant club just off Curzon Street in London. Shepherd's Market I believe. Run by John and Hazel Morgan and a good place to go to hear some pretty tall tales!
Loti.

The Doghouse does still exist but is no longer formula one connected.Leading light is Shirley Proctor, wife of Peter.
Loti

[sterling49]

I remember from the '60's that Grand Prix drivers wifes or girlfriends were usually members....the one I particularly remember was Graham Hills wife Betty, they had fund raising charity balls, and obviously supported each other in times of bad news, such as the loss of Jim Clark, Mike Spence, Bruce McLaren, Jochen Rindt etc etc. Don't really know much else, but they were very prominent then.

[sterling49]

Quote

Originally posted by LOTI
Hi! me again...


The Doghouse does still exist but is no longer formula one connected.Leading light is Shirley Proctor, wife of Peter.
Loti

Hi Loti, watched Peter race regularly at Brands ......remember the Daily Newspapers reporting his dreadful accident.

There is sooo much knowledge in this forum.....and the very people we all used to go and watch compete......modern technology a wonder for dinosaurs like me!!!!

[Ray Bell]

We had similar clubs spring up here... but in the end the 'Downunder Doghouse Club' wasn't much of a name so even more complex versions were spawned... 'Women's Motor Racing Association' was one, I think...

Today they are simply fire and rescue services, because the funds raised all went into buying safety equipment.

[Sharman]

I don't think it was the Doghouse Club, it was the Doghouse Owners Club

[Frank S]

Quote

Originally posted by Sharman
I don't think it was the Doghouse Club, it was the Doghouse Owners Club

... as borne out in this set of (purloined) photos from an eBay auction last year some time
(or maybe the year before that) :





Someone with a better eye than mine will be able to interpret the signatures; I seem to remember the auction information included a transliteration. I thought I had saved the auction page, but am not finding it yet.

This plate went for a big total, if I remember correctly. My pennies were not pretty enough.

--
Frank S

[Twin Window]

There are some great names on there, but I presume they don't count as *proper* autographs as they will undoubtedly be underneath the glazing.

Anyhow, I can spot on the third pic... Chris Amon, Jo Siffert, Bruce McLaren, Jackie Oliver, Jacky Ickx, Tim Schenken, Peter Gethin, Andrea de Adamich, Jean-Pierre Beltoise, John Miles, Jack Brabham, Mike Hailwood, Pedro Rodriguez, Howden Ganley and Mario Andretti.

And, on the bottom one; [don't recognise], John Surtees, Ronnie Peterson, Emerson Fittipaldi, [don't recognise], Francois Cevert, Henri Pescarolo, Denny Hulme, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, Rolf Stommelen, Clay Regazzoni and Jacky Ickx.

I suspect, therefore, that this is a commemorative plate issued after the 1970 Gritish GP at Brands Hatch.

Very nice!

[Alan Cox]

The plates do turn up from time to time in some of the major automobilia auctions. I saw one for sale at Stoneleigh this year - a nice souvenir to have.

[LOTI]

There is an earlier plate which is much more expensive [if you can find one] it is smaller and rectangular and was sold to fund raise back in the 60s. When the Doghouse started, we had a caravan which some poor soul got talked into taking to Silverstone before we got the use of the old time keeper's place up before the start finish line. Then we had a hospitality unit.... now nothing as far as I know. I am no longer a member but still see some of the old gang... we have lunch several times a year. Once you did the Doghouse cabaret you are marked for life.... there is even a t shirt which states, I survived the Doghouse Pantomime. We did 2, one at the Mermaid theatre and one at the Mayfair. Graham Hill as the genie.... quite scary! I thought we ought to get it all written down but as usual we can't agree on anything!
Happy days this summer when Andy and Mo Rouse lent their lovely garden [and house] so that we could celebrate Sylvia Davis's 80th birthday. Shirley and Peter, Tim Parnell, Steve and Aprille Ouveroff. David and Liz Piper, Don and Simone Grant [children of Gregor and Eba] and on and on. The last cabaret I did was 1997. I wrote, directed and dressed it but since that was what I did in real life that's understandable and actually got a coupe of good moments which I shall never forget.
The Doghouse was a force for good way back when, somewhat irrelevant now I feel but still, people like to get together for a chat at Silverstone and as long as it doesn't pretend to be anything more, that's fine.
Another t shirt of only30 made says If I'm mad enough to do it are you brave enough to watch? which pretty much sums it all up.
There is a famous photograph I think from the Daily Mail of George Harrison [and fans] outside the caravan at Silverstone but I can't post that here, can I?
Loti

[CDCJ]

Hi all,

Thank you for the information.
Especially steering wheel club. I'm very interested in the information. Thanks Loti.
Please find the picture of early Doghouse owners club plate and steering wheel plate which I have.
It's looks same except the club logo! It must be good relation ship each other or same member for the both clubs?

I also put "International Doghouse club and Doghouse owners club car badges.

Have you seen the International Doghouse club logo in race event/ circuit at that time?
I still not reach an information about the club.

Kind regards,
Hiro
F.Y.I I also put a copy of the document of Doghouse owners club. The document came with a plate(later one).

[LOTI]

I've never seen the Steering Wheel plate before or the International Club Badge for that matter but that Doghouse plate is the second one they issued, the first one was a long narrow rectangle and smaller. I think it would have been done in the late 60s. By the looks of it the two plates were done by the same company and at about the same time.
The Steering Wheel Club had a small upstairs room where the Doghouse had their monthly committee meetings [suitably supplied from the bar downstairs] I only committeed for a a short time, my spelling was so bad that Sylvia Davis would correct and return the minutes in red pen before they were put through the dreaded roneo machine. That was when all the wives of F1 drivers were on the committee so it was pretty easy to get things to happen!
The Doghouse ambulance was at Goodwood by all accounts, I hope it was just for show... it must be pushing on 40 years old now!
Loti

[MCS]

These plates look interesting. One of my wife's uncles has a rectangular plate from the mid-sixties, which the likes of Bandini, Brabham, Clark, Hill, McLaren, Rindt, Rodriguez, Siffert, Stewart and co have evidently signed. There was one signature which we couldn't quite make out, but it looked like Baron de Graffenreid to me. Would that make sense?

I can't honestly remember whether it was a Doghouse or Steering Wheel Club plate, but I'm pretty sure it was one or the other. I'll invite him round for lunch and try and find out.

Would anybody know (very roughly, obviously, in the absence of a picture here) how much it's worth? I'm sure he'd be amused if it was worth something - he took great pleasure in showing it to me.

[conjohn]

Quote

Originally posted by Twin Window
And, on the bottom one; [don't recognise], John Surtees, Ronnie Peterson, Emerson Fittipaldi, [don't recognise], Francois Cevert, Henri Pescarolo, Denny Hulme, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, Rolf Stommelen, Clay Regazzoni and Jacky Ickx.

The one to the left of John Surtees looks very much like Reine Wisell.

[MCS]

It is, I'm sure. Looks like the one I have anyway.

[Huw Jadvantich]

Was the Doghouse Logo done by Brockbank? Its got that look about it

[CDCJ]

Thank you for the information.
I thought my plate is first one until now.
I had a long narrow rectangle and smaller one before and find the photo as follows,

Sorry for very small photo. You can see the photo as follows link for sale,
http://www.mclarenmo...shop/index.html

also the steering car badge.

How many member did join each the club?
Which is popular and rare now?
I would like to see the Doghouse ambulance!
Do you have any photo or article on period magazine?
I still looking for any information about International Doghouse club.
Please tell me if somebody know.

Kind regards,
CDCJ

[LOTI]

Yes. that's the first plate.
Yes, as far as I know the little dog was Brockbank but could also have been "after" Brockbank as Eba Grant [hon sec]'s son Don Grant is a very talented artist and he did most of the club's art work.
At the height of it's popularity I believe there were 400 members. I have no idea how many there are now.
At the Doghouse Ball, they started at the River Room at The Savoy Hotel and then grew out of that into the Dorchester and finally into the large ballroom at the Hilton, Park Lane.The last ball I did was 1997 and I believe at the 1999 one they didn't sell all the tickets and then they pulled the plug.
I'm sorry I don't have anything I can put on here for copyright reasons.
Sylvia Davis and I did a book of naughty song lyrics called Doghouse Girls have lots of Balls. a collectors item if ever I saw one and then I did another with Georgie Shaw, Jean Johnson, Ann Kimpton and Cate Russell.[all ex Doghouse] Racey Receipes. in aid of Unicef, which raised £5,000.... not bad for a load of amateurs.
Loti

[BOUZANQUET JF]

Hello Loti

I just bought at last Beaulieu show a Dog House badge and was investigating about more about it!
Thanks to you and forum now I know more !
May be will fix it on my XK 150 during next Tour de France Auto to honour the memory of these devoted peoples! and listen coments about what people know about the WMRAC !

[Lou.Fred]

The International Doghouse Club is alive and well. Meetings of Blue Lamp Kennel no321 are held on the last Wednesday of the month at Staines Rugby Club. The purpose of the club is to have fun with CHARITABLE intensions. Sunshine House School (RNIB) in Northwood may acknowledge the amount of 'BONES' they have received over the last 40+ years.

[CDCJ]

Hi Lou,

Thank you for your message.
It's nice to heard from you the International Doghouse Club is alive and well!
Are you a member of the club?
Please tell me a history of the club. include what's different between the Doghouse owners club(otherwise known as The Women's Motor Racing Associates Club) and the International Doghouse Club.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you again soon.

Best regards,
Hiro :yawn:

[petenmag]

In the early '60s I visited the "Steering Wheel" in Mayfair often with friends. It was run then by a lady named Peggy (last name escapes me). Also travelled to various circuits with "The Doghouse" caravan. What a beast it was to tow!!
I have a(probably) original plate. Not quite round and not quite triangular.
Anyone else have a similar?

Mag1

[LOTI]

The lady's name is Peggy Sandberg, [later Mrs Eric Rowe] She was the hostess at The Steering Wheel. All the inside story and more, including pictures of the famous caravan are in Inside the Doghouse, available for a mere £10 from me. Anyone interested, just send me a private message.
Loti

[ErinKondratieff]

Loti! You did such a great job on this book - it's fabulous!

For all of you interested in more of the history of the Doghouse
Owners' Club and its members, get a copy of the book, Inside
the Doghouse (cover pictured below).

[archigator]

I know the Steering Wheel Club had a triangular shaped plate (about 7-inches across) with the steering wheel logo and driver's signatures as a wall-hung display. They also had a 4-inch round plate with the steering wheel logo only (no fascimile signatures) and a colored band around the rim (I've seen a green-rimmed plate and a cranberry-rimmed plate.) I assume this smaller plate was used as an ashtray.

Does anyone know if these ashtrays came in other colors? Did the Steering Wheel Club have it's own dinner service with the logo on dinner-sized plates?

Thanks,

Gary
Miami, FL. USA

Edited by archigator, 19 September 2010 - 15:38.

[David Birchall]

[quote name='CDCJ' date='Sep 27 2006, 07:46' post='2507757']
Hi all,


I also put "International Doghouse club and Doghouse owners club car badges.


I have a lapel pin of "The International Doghouse Club" that belonged to my father-he got it in the sixties before leaving England in '68.
I rather suspect it may have nothing to do with motoring...

Edited by David Birchall, 19 September 2010 - 00:15.

[archigator]

David, I'm inclined to agree with you about the International Doghouse Club. Although sellers of the International Doghouse Club badges on eBay promote it as having a relation to F1, I have seen no proof. When I visited the museum at Brooklands last year, I saw a display devoted to the WMRAC Doghouse Owners Club and their relation to F1, but no mention whatsoever of the International Doghouse Club.

Gary
Miami, FL USA

Edited by archigator, 19 September 2010 - 13:28.

[Alan Cox]

Press release detailing the WMRAC's 50th anniversary celebration

Quote

15 February 2012
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE, STIRLING REGRETS NOT BEING IN 'THE DOGHOUSE'!

Patron: Ms Jodie Kidd
President: Mrs Shirley Procter
Chairman: Mrs Leonora Hill
Treasurer/Secretary: Mrs Mary Fletcher

Grand Prix royalty from the 50s, 60s and 70s bearing the names of Brooks, Hill, McLaren and Stewart were joined by sixty members and friends of the Women's Motor Racing Associates Club for an exclusive lunch at The Ivy, in the heart of London's West End, to celebrate the WMRAC's 50th Anniversary.

Our most celebrated Grand Prix legend, Sir Stirling Moss admitted: "For the first time in my life, I can sincerely say that I regret not being in 'The Doghouse'! Wishing you all a fabulous time at The Ivy."

This unique club, universally known as 'The Doghouse Owners' Club' was founded on 7 February 1962 by a group of highly influential ladies. Under the chairmanship of Sheila Van Damm, the committee comprised Mrs Colin Chapman, Mrs John Cooper, Mrs Gregor Grant, Mrs Graham Hill and Mrs John Webb; the acting secretary was Miss Peggy Sandberg (Mrs Peggy Rowe). Bette Hill, who was present at the inaugural committee meeting, was clearly delighted with the Club's 50th Anniversary celebrations on Tuesday 7 February 2012 in London.

"It's brilliant! Absolutely marvellous to see so many here today," Bette effused as she greeted members keen to talk to the Club's Founding President and former Doghouse cabaret star.

"We've shared such marvellous times together over the years," Bette recalled as she chatted to Pina Brooks, Patty McLaren-Brickett, Doreen Leston, Helen Stewart, President Shirley Procter, Chairman Leonora Hill and - the only gentleman present - guest speaker, former BRM and Williams Grand Prix driver and BRDC Vice President, Howden Ganley.

Following her welcome speech, Doghouse Chairman, Leonora Hill read out a message from the Club's new Patron, Jodie Kidd: "I am so sorry I couldn't join you for your lunch today. I would have loved to have been there for my first Doghouse event. Sending my best wishes to everyone, I am absolutely thrilled to be joining as the new Patron, especially on the 50th anniversary - what an achievement!"

After a delicious lunch, Howden managed to calm the high-octane atmosphere by captivating everyone's attention with hilarious anecdotes about his intimate knowledge of the Doghouse, thanks to his late wife Judy's love and lifetime commitment to the Club.

"The cabarets were absolute show-stoppers!" Howden enthused.

"They were a great mix of professional dance routines, very funny sketches to very racy numbers with our respectable ladies, scantily clad and singing outrageous things about us drivers, often with news that was news to us!

"I'm sure Eba (Grant) and some of the driver's wives gave Sylvia (Davis) and Loti (Irwin) the tip-off. But we loved those sketches, especially when the odd mishap occurred, which just added to the charm of the show. Without doubt, the Doghouse Balls were 'the' event on the social calendar.

"As the BRDC is the 'Who's Who' of British Motorsport, so the Doghouse Club is the equivalent on the other side of the gender fence, with many famous names still involved and with many of you so well connected within motorsport circles. Of course, the motorsport scene is very different now compared to those early days, when many of the British Grand Prix driver's wives were members. I'm sure you had a lot more fun, but it was also a more dangerous sport and the Doghouse provided a vital role of support and camaraderie for the wives, especially when tragedy struck.

"Fortunately the sport is far safer now and I have to praise the work of Sir Jackie Stewart, who pioneered safety improvements, often with little support from any drivers like myself, but he stoically continued to champion a safety campaign. So we have much to praise him for today."

Howden concluded by toasting the Doghouse Club, "to the next 50 years!" to rapturous applause.

Doghouse President, Shirley Procter thanked Howden for such an enjoyable talk, presented him with an exclusive pair of silver Doghouse Kennel cuff-links and announced that he was now an Honorary Member of The Doghouse Owners' Club, the only man ever to hold that distinction!

Founding Vice-President, Patty McLaren-Brickett said: 'It's been a fantastic turn-out. Absolutely terrific and a great way to celebrate our 50th Anniversary!"

As dusk fell on the capital, the Doghouse ladies reluctantly departed, promising to meet at the Club's next memorable event, the 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner later in the Autumn.

[archigator]

I recently purchased this small Steering Wheel Club plate on eBay and I'm curious about its symbology. It's different than any Steering Wheel Club dish that I've ever seen. All other dishes I've seen have the Steering Wheel logo on them. This one does not, but the reverse confirms that this plate was indeed made for the Steering Wheel Club.

Does anyone know the meaning of this "coat of arms"? Also the signature appears to say "Frank," although I could be wrong. The bartender at the Wheel was named Frank. Could that be his signature?

I'd appreciate any help that anyone could give to shed a little light on this mystery!





Thanks,

Gary
Miami, Florida

[layabout]

archigator, on Sep 19 2010, 06:24, said:

David, I'm inclined to agree with you about the International Doghouse Club. Although sellers of the International Doghouse Club badges on eBay promote it as having a relation to F1, I have seen no proof. When I visited the museum at Brooklands last year, I saw a display devoted to the WMRAC Doghouse Owners Club and their relation to F1, but no mention whatsoever of the International Doghouse Club.

Gary
Miami, FL USA

The International Doghouse Club should not be confused with The Womans' Motor Racing Associates Club-aka the Doghouse Owners Club. The former seems to have no connection with racing (though some sites sell their badges & claim it's connected to F1) while the latter has been intimately connected to F1 since being founded 50 years ago.

As a kid I well remember seeing photos in Road & Track, MotorSport & Autosport of the Doghouse Owners' Club events with the likes of Mmes. Hill, McLaren, Brooks, etc. It looked pretty glamorous & cool to me. If you want more information on it go to: http://www.wmrac.com/

I would add that there is a store on the site where you can purchase mugs, autographed bowls, t-shirts and more, though I understand special items are given to the speakers at their events.

Edited by layabout, 14 August 2012 - 13:57.

[Kiboko]

Loti states above that a copy of 'Inside the Doghouse' can be obtained directly from her, but I've no idea how to contact her. The post is quite old but hopefully maybe, she still uses the site and might see this! 

[Tim Murray]

Very sadly (for us) back in 2010 Loti told us that she wouldn't be visiting these forums anymore, and she hasn't posted since. It might be worth trying a Personal Message to her through the forum, as she should then receive an email advising her that she has a new PM. You'll find a 'Send Me A Message' button in her profile:

http://forums.autosp...ser/14428-loti/

Edited by Tim Murray, 22 December 2014 - 12:29.

[Gary C]

Kiboko, please check your private messages!

[Bunyip]

Its my first time on the forum, I found this thread looking for more info on the plates. I have a DHOC plate from 1992 and the original signatures used to create it. The plate is number 2 in the series and comes with an accompanying Dog House letter. The original signatures were signed by the 26 drivers at the Portuguese Grand Prix in 1992. These were signed on the white side of the event poster by the drivers, Senna, Schumacher, Mansell, De Cesaris, Alboreto, Berger etc. As I said they were used in the creation of the plate. Interestingly Damon Hill's signature was added to the plate to make a 27th signature. Not being at the Grand Prix, i can only presume he was added because his mum Betti was a founder member of the club.