July 2024

was thinking back to the birth of our Austin Healeys and of course it was 3^rd July 1898 that was DMH's birthday, I wonder what he would have thought of all our Austin Healeys still running around all these years later. The launch of the Healey 100 in 1952 to an excited crowd at the Motor Show that year, so much so that he [DMH] wondered how he would be able to meet all the orders. Fortunately his prayers were answered by that well documented last minute deal with BMC’s Managing Director, Leonard Lord. He always gained great enjoyment in attending the club events in his later years both here and in the States, one trip taking to the
skies in Concorde.

Our trip to Lady McAlpine's estate for the Fawley Hill Steam Festival was held on a lovely sunny day in mid-May. They have the steepest full standard gauge railway with 0-4-0 Sir Vincent and 0-6-0 King George in steam running in the garden with various concrete embellishments taken from London Bridge and other stations which were either closing down or updated in the late sixties. A whole station taken from the West Country performs its original function at the beginning of the line. With office, food outlet and waiting rooms.

The 80^th D-Day Anniversary on 5^th and 6^th June was commemorated with some excellent TV coverage of services both here at Portsmouth and at Arromanches on the Normandy beaches. Some of our members have taken the chance to visit the area at this time so hopefully we will get some pictures in due course.

Robin's FBHVC report carries a number of interesting points. These range from the care that needs to be taken at event premises if we are hiring a large venue; advice on HV's travelling in convoy; and the possible right to lower tax charges for 30-year-old cars. Please note, as I have mentioned before, you must keep the original chassis plate in its original location in the event of a major shunt or after restoration in the area in which the chassis plate is located. The guidance notes V765 for retaining an original registration plate have been altered to read the vehicle must be physically inspected by the appropriate club.

Good weather at the moment invites us out in the Healeys so enjoy!

Keep Overtaking! - -safely.