With less than 15 minutes of usable footage; this was never destined to be the definitive video of the 1958 Royal Scottish Automobile Club Rally. An event which itself lasted 5 days. To compound this, it shows a disproportionate number of Berkeleys taking part compared to the actual output of production from the Biggleswade factory.
The reason being that the cine-camera was owned by Bert Westwood, one of the works drivers. This was still the era when an amateur driver could take part in a top national or international event. Meant in the nicest possible way, everything about this attempt has a slight amateurish feel about it, including my own input. Having said that, it is probably all the more enjoyable for it!
Three Eastern Counties Motor Club members are shown. One being Bert himself. The second is Ted Cleghorn in the red car and lastly Iris Westwood is shown on the train bringing them home.
As an aside. At one point another competitor, a lady in a TR2 or 3 (VSM 34) is seen filming the Berkeley. Would anyone know who she is? And intriguingly, has the footage survived??
More footage of the train journey can be seen on:
• View from a steam trai...
27 июн 2024
