The sight, sound and scent of Edwardian motor cars can be enjoyed this month as the Vintage Speed Trials returns to Grimsthorpe Castle…
“If you can start it, you can have it,” says Roger Twelvetrees. For a brief second I thought I might be driving home in his 1911 Wolseley, until it became apparent that coaxing the old girl into life necessitated more than the modern practice of carrying a key fob and pressing the start button, as in most modern vehicles.
We’re on an arable farm deep in the countryside, on a day with gorgeous blue skies and bright yellow fields of oilseed rape, the perfect ‘classic car day.’ But we’re not just here to see the usual Minis or E-Types or Morris Minors.
July 1st will see over 100 old cars and motorcycles gather at Bourne’s Grimsthorpe Castle to compete in the Vintage Speed Trials. The event is strictly for pre-war examples, built prior to 1939.
So as you can appreciate the vehicles are a much rarer sight than you’ll see at most classic car displays. However, they also require a little more expertise, a quality that I was lacking but one which electrical engineer Roger has in abundance.
Born in Nottingham, and after attending The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), Roger pursued a career initially working with thermionic valves and later transistors in the emerging world of industrial automation and digital motor technology.
He eventually found himself in working with the Navy to develop and maintain systems on board their vessels, and in 1967 he found himself enjoying the freedom afforded to him with the purchase of his first ‘proper’ car, a 1934 Riley Standard Vangard, yours for the princely sum of £4. Roger describes the sight of its shiny radiator grill as inducing love at first sight.
A few years later he’d purchase a 1934 Riley 9 Special and then another to use for the purposes of participating in vintage motorsport events. Next came a 1916 Buick with which Roger and his son William competed in the Measham Rally – a 200-mile endurance event described as ‘the ultimate pre-war motoring challenge.’
“About the time that people were sticking wartime aircraft engines into classic cars I went to collect a Hall-Scott engine from a friend in the vintage motoring world,” says Roger. “And there it was, in the corner of his workshop, a collection of parts for a Wolseley. This was my chance to create my own Brooklands-era sports car.”
Retiring in 2006, the reconstruction of the Wolseley 16/20 would take a few years and the assistance of William. Together, the two repaired the chassis, created technical drawings and fabricated new pistons and other components to an accuracy of about a tenth of a millimetre.
Today the car is stored amongst a few Rileys in Roger’s workshop, an oily paradise with bits of machinery and the delicious smell of fuel and oil in the air. With a bit of priming of the Wolseley’s air pump and a few kind words – or perhaps threats, we couldn’t quite hear – whispered into the engine, Roger leaned over the front bonnet and gave a couple of turns of the front crank.
Hey presto! She’s alive! With a couple of pops and coughs, she’s soon running beautifully and Roger reverses her out. Gosh, she’s long! Almost like a Range Rover in terms of length but perhaps a little narrower. 32” wheels and a very respectable amount of ground clearance… not bad for our potholed local roads actually!
The car is now one of less than a dozen examples in the world today, and completing its restoration in 2016 Roger and William have been able to take it to Syston Park for their Speed Trials in 2016 and 2017 before the event moved to Grimsthorpe in 2018.
The event was conceived by Richard Powell who sadly died in late 2022. Co-founder Mel Hart is now running the event and will uphold Richard’s legacy of creating a wonderful day for spectators, of which there were over 1,000 last year, all very keen to see the cars stretch their legs.
Initially the Grimsthorpe event was more akin to a hill-climbing trial, but a passing remark from the team that it would be great to use the avenue which stretches towards the Castle, but for the speedbumps, prompted the Castle’s custodians to get in touch a few months later with the news that they’d been removed.
Now the event takes place on the majestic avenue leading up to the Grade I listed building’s Baroque-style façade created by Vanbrugh in the 18th century.
“It’s not a race,” says Flip Redman who curates the event’s PR and marketing activities, but rather a chance to show off the magnificent vehicles. “Timings for each vehicle are recorded, but really just for authenticity and comparison.”
“What’s much more important to us,” she says, “Is the creation of an event that people can really enjoy. Compared to events like Beaulieu or Goodwood or Brooklands it’s a really friendly, small and intimate event where the public can get close enough to smell the fuel and oil, hear the engines and really engage with some rare examples of motoring heritage.”
“On the packed schedule is an array of spectacular vehicles including Bugattis, MGs, ERAs, Maserati and a number of Edwardian cars. Not only can you see these cars in action, with all the excitement, the sounds and the smells, you can also get up close to the vehicles and talk to owners and drivers in the paddock.”
“Adding to the charm is a static display of classic vehicles, artfully parked to encourage the visitor to meander amongst them, whilst daydreaming of the halcyon pre-war days. It’s a vision of world that disappeared with the arrival of World War Two.”
“Dressing up isn’t just for children, so visitors and participants are encouraged to wear 1930s dress to add to the atmosphere. We also invite people to bring a picnic and feast amongst the ancient trees or take advantage of a variety of local food and drink stalls.”
“The friendly feel of the event is something that we’re really keen to maintain, especially in Richard’s memory. We enjoy fantastic support from Grimsthorpe Castle, for which we’re really grateful, and the event is only possible because of our sponsors, Brewin Dolphin and H&H Auctions, who are absolutely wonderful.”
“I think everyone is acutely aware that this year we really need to make it the best Vintage Speed Trials ever, celebrating Richard’s legacy and hosting an event of which he’d be really proud!”
The Wolseley 16/20: Roger Twelvetree’s car…
Hmm. Roger’s Wolseley 16/20 makes my car look pretty dull! It’s about as long as a Range Rover, perhaps not as wide, and has enormous wheels, about 30” we reckon. The car’s engine, rebuilt by hand by Roger and son William is a four-cylinder unit of about 3.1 litres. That’s quite large but considering the car weighs just 750kg and isn’t bogged down by driver aids its power to weight ratio gives it a top speed of over 80mph. There’s a four speed gearbox with H-style shift pattern, and a clutch, but no synchromesh. Roger uses the handbrake to slow down, but only the rear wheels have drum brakes. The Wolseley is started with a crank handle and when it’s running, the thing sounds absolutely amazing!
Cars & Motorcycles: Ten to See at Grimsthorpe…
1911 Wolseley: This Edwardian vehicle was built as an attempt to be the first car to do 100 miles per hour at Brooklands. Unfortunately, they were pipped to the post by Talbot in 1912.
1922 GN: A rather romantic story, this car was re-built by Nigel Arnold Foster who found the ex-Fraser Nash body leaning against a tree.
1925 Bugatti Type 35: The Bugatti Type 35 is an iconic race car design produced by Bugatti at their Molsheim premises between 1924 and 1930. An extremely successful racing car.
1927 Amilcar: This car raced at Brooklands in the 1920s and 30s.
1935 ERA Type B, RJB1: From right here in Lincolnshire, in Bourne, close to Grimsthorpe. It has a top speed of 145mph, and 240Bhp. This car has been built as a toolroom copy using mostly original parts, and it made its debut at Grimsthorpe Speed Trials in 2021.
1920 Ford Frontenal: From across ‘The Pond’ this car originally raced in the USA in the 1920s. Holds speed record on Ord Speedway of 82mph. It is completely original and last raced in 1947.
1909 Lincoln Elk: James Kirby made Lincoln Elk Bicycles and from 1902 had started putting small engines on them. The Elk had a top speed of 40mph, and the basic version cost £19 10s.
1928 Scott Flying Squirrel: Twin-cylinder, two-stroke, water cooled Scott. Famous for their smoothness, speed and excellent steering.
1927 Velocette KSS: This bike has its original 3-speed close ratio, hand gear change, which predates Velocette’s foot change mechanism.
1936 Royal Enfield: This bike has been seen at all of the Vintage Speed Trials events. It was originally raced by Pete Tomes who won VMCC 250 Championships.
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Richard Powell: Mel Hart was a long time friend of Richard and is the natural successor to continue his vision. She feels that Richard’s passion for pre-war cars was undoubtedly one of his most favourite pastimes. His enthusiasm was contagious and his knowledge superior. Attention to the detail of the 1930s was so important to him. The whole point of resurrecting the Speed Trials in 2018 was to make the public feel that they had stepped back into the 1930s for the day. “Richard and I were planning the next event, when he sadly became very ill. This year Grimsthorpe Speed Trials is in memory of Richard, and we will be presenting a cup for the most authentic participant in honour of him.”
Find Out More: The Vintage Speed Trials takes place on Saturday 1st July at Grimsthorpe Castle, Bourne gates from 8am, track opens 10am. £25/gate, £20adv, see www.speedtrials.co.uk. See www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bethandhelenaswimthechannel to support Beth and Helena.
