Pictures from the Heritage Archives

It seems incredible that ‘The Autocar’ magazine was first published in 1885 -   some one hundred and thirty years ago, and at a time when many of us would be forgiven for thinking there can’t have been that much to write about! In fact that is not far off the mark, as there were only six or seven cars on the UK roads. However, this far sighted decision was taken in the interests of ‘the mechanically propelled road carriage’

John Siddeley, the owner of a 6hp. Daimler Parisian became a founder member of the Automobile Club of Great Britain and set out to publicise the reliability and quality of the Clipper tyre, which he manufactured, in motoring events that were proving to be of much interest to the public.

In 1900 ‘The Autocar’ announced that the ACGB had organised a 1000 miles road tour of Great Britain. This would be a circular route leaving London, on the 23^rd of April, following the west coast through major towns to Carlisle and thence to Edinburgh.  Returning  south in similar fashion following the east coast route, meeting up at St Albans some three weeks later, on 12^th May, when a procession would be formed heading into London. The average course speed was set at 12mph.

By mid-April some 83 cars had been entered.

At the start on 23rd April, cars started arriving from 6am in Grosvenor Place London. At nine minutes past seven, 65 cars set off heading west to Hounslow where they were logged and set off at half-minute intervals.

John, accompanied by Mr W. Exe the ACGB secretary in the Daimler Parisian and four other cars were fitted with Clipper tyres. This run was the first public demonstration in the UK of the potential of motor cars as a practical means of long distance travel. Little surprise, therefore, that all along the route people lined the streets to witness the spectacle. Police and public encouraged the drivers to push on so that they might enjoy witnessing speeds as high as 30mph achieved by the more powerful cars.

John Siddeley easily managed to better the course average despite having an incident with a horse by the side if Thirlmere in the Lake District where his front springs were broken and the axle bent. The car was repaired but sadly the horse was not.  51 of the cars reached Edinburgh and on the 12^th of May only 35 had made the journey back to London. All the cars fitted with Clipper tyres completed the tour apparently with only one puncture. If true, bearing in mind the condition of the roads, with many sharp flints, and the nails from horses hooves as their shoes wore down, this was quite an achievement.

These pictures shows the medal which was presented to John Siddeley. It is now in the safe keeping of the ASHT and will be amongst the many smaller items displayed at Pentre in the fullness of time.

The 1900, the ACGB 1000 miles Trial, was the most important event in the dawn of British motoring. It concluded with an exhibition of the finishers at the Crystal Palace on Saturday May 19th, further exciting public interest.