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- Created on Sunday, 29 May 2011 18:04
GP100 comprised the initials of Gerald Palmer, the designer of the Magnette and other British cars and 100 was to mark the centenary of his birth in 1911. It was also hoped to get 100 Palmer designed cars to the event, and that is what we actually achieved! Other single-marque clubs representing his major creations were invited, as well as Palmer’s daughter, Celia, his biographer Christopher Balfour and a number of his former colleagues. This was to be a very special celebration indeed.
The first Magnetteers assembled on Friday afternoon at “event HQ”, Wroxall Abbey, in Warwickshire, where, thanks to Director and Magnetteer Grant Howlett, we had been given almost exclusive use of Wroxall Court, which was probably the stable block in years past. This estate has a history dating back to the 12th century and provided a lovely background for the Magnettes as you can see in the pictures. We all enjoyed being immersed in English history, at the former country seat of Sir Christopher Wren, complete with its abbey ruins, Wren Church and Victorian Gothic mansion.
The programme was chosen to please everybody. After Friday arrivals with warm greetings, friends reunited and much clinking of glasses round the courtyard barbecue, everyone retired in anticipation of the Saturday, which was the main day of the weekend with reserved display parking at the BMIHT motor museum at Gaydon and a programme of special celebratory events.
The organisers arranged a unique display of Palmer-designed cars ranging from the Scammel lorry through Y-type, Jowett Javelin, Wolseley 4/44, ZA Magnette, Wolseley 15/50, Riley Pathfinder, Wolseley 6/60 and MGA Twin-Cam. The Jowett contingent was on hand because the facilities at Gaydon were also being used by the Jowett Car Club for their main annual event and the Register had liaised with them from the outset to ensure maximum synergy. With reasonable confidence, we can claim that Palmer’s memory was honoured by the attendance of 100 of his creations. As a focused display drawn from a slice of British motoring history, it was probably unique and its like may not be seen again.
About 50 Magnettes turned up and it would have been more if the sun had come out earlier! In the morning, a cold wind blew across the site, taking any loose papers and regalia with it. It was a familiar feeling for anyone who has been to Silverstone. But later in the afternoon, the wind died down and the sun came out, albeit too late.
Fortunately, a warm refuge was available in the museum’s conference centre, where a series of talks and seminars had been arranged for the afternoon. First up was Christopher Balfour, who co-wrote “Auto-Architect”, Palmer’s autobiography. He commented on aspects of the automotive industry, Palmer’s career within it and his treatment at BMC, introducing some controversial opinions about the rift with Leonard Lord. Then came a fascinating panel session entitled “Working With Palmer” with John Payne (engineer), Phil Green (ex Jowett, Vauxhall & Volvo), Alan Webb (ex Cowley drawing office) and Peter Tothill (ex-BMC experimental dept.), all former colleagues of Palmer. Payne, in particular, had created The Oxford Hoist, and Palmer contributed to the design of this successful product, still widely used to move invalids in hospitals world-wide.
Celia Palmer, Geralds daughter, kindly agreed to present the prizes and, indeed, appeared to be thoroughly enjoying the event dedicated to her father’s memory.
It was also great to see Ian Metcalf's dragster out for the first time. Not ready, but it was the first outing for the car. This two door saloon will be used for dragster racing, but is street legal! I'm really looking forward to see this car in action. But this car is absolut nothing for purists and I heard people saying it's not a Magnette. In my view it is and it's a nice contrast to original grey Z's:
After the Gaydon gathering finished, the celebrations continued back at Wroxall Abbey with a centenary dinner. Paul Batho, Register Chairman, proposed a toast to the guests and John Day, Chairman of the MG Car Club (and former Magnette owner!) responded with a toast to Palmer’s genius. Thanks to the kind donation of one of the last available new copies of ”Auto-Architect” by Christopher Balfour and of two subscriptions to Classic & Sportscar by the Editor, we were able to hold an auction that raised £170. Half of these proceeds will be given to the Macmillan Nurses charity, nominated by Celia Palmer. To finish the evening we had the choice of a conventional night-cap or, for the true connoisseur, fabulous “Old Speckled Hen” from the tap.
Nevertheless, most revellers got up early enough on Sunday to go for the scenic run organised by John and Cynthia Harris along small country roads between Wroxall and Upton House, a fine National Trust property near Edge Hill. It was formerly owned Walter Samuel, 2nd Viscount Bearsted, who owed his fortune to the fact that his father Marcus Samuel was the founder of the oil company Shell Transport & Trading.
We were pleased to see Christopher and Ann Balfour took part in their Bristol and Celia Palmer was chauffeured for the trip by Andy and Jo Brock in his very original ZA, the “pur sang” of the marque. The well chosen rural route passed through some superb English villages and was populated with more horses and sheep than other traffic. Our safe arrival was rewarded by the opportunity to park our cars in front of the house and on the impressive drive. After plenty of time to see the superb picture collection, the Shell poster display and the magnificent gardens as well as to enjoy lunch in the café, the event ended with final farewells at about 3.00pm to allow those with longer journeys to arrive home at a reasonable hour.
It is some time since the Magnette Register has organised a weekend event on this scale and it is to be hoped that the turn-out achieved and the positive feedback received will encourage them to do more. For this one, the Register and its organising committee deserve our thanks and praise. An important anniversary did not pass uncelebrated; indeed, it was celebrated in fitting style.
