What a wonderful weekend - The Dunsfold Collection stars at the Goodwood Revival
Saturday 19th September 2015
Phew! What a tremendous weekend! Our frantic efforts in the workshop over the past few weeks more than paid off as eleven vehicles from the Dunsfold Collection took centre stage in a parade of over 50 pre-1966 Series Land Rovers at the Goodwood Revival.
It could never have happened without the tremendous efforts of Philip, Darryl and Josh in the workshop and the volunteers from among the Friends of the Collection and our community of enthusiastic supporters who gave up their weekend to drive one of our vehicles around the circuit on each of the three days. Richard Beddall put a huge amount of work into planning the event and ensuring all our volunteer drivers were looked after, as well as providing an informative and entertaining commentary as the vehicles drove the hallowed circuit.
The eleven Collection vehicles chosen for the event were the 1947 Centre Steer replica, the 1949 Series 1 81” Rolls-engined vehicle, the 1950 Series 1 Bertram Mills Circus Elephant Car, the 1958 Series 11 88” hardtop chassis number two, the 1958 Series 11 109” Moy Elevator, the 1963 35cwt Turbo Diesel Truck prototype, the 1964 Series 11a Forest Rover, the 1965 Shorland Armoured Car prototype, the 1965 OTAL One Ton Amphibious Land Rover, the 1966 Series 11b 110” Forward Control prototype, and the 1966 Series 11a Half Ton ‘Lightweight’ prototype.
JLR brought Series 1 engineer Arthur Goddard over from Australia specially for the event and it was wonderful to see Arthur sitting next to Roger Crathorne in HUE 166 at the head of the convoy. HUE was one of no less than eleven pre-production Series 1s in the parade, believed to be the largest moving group of pre-pros ever assembled, although the honour for the largest-ever gathering of pre-pros goes to the Dunsfold Collection – we brought together thirteen for display at our Open Weekend in June this year.
It was also great see Nick Rogers, JLR's Director Group Engineering, enthusiastically driving his Series 1 and we were delighted to see JLR CEO Dr Ralf Speth earnestly inspecting the Collection vehicles and empathising with Philip's task when he was shown the driving position in the Bertram Mills Circus Elephant Car! JLR's hospitality facility outside the circuit was also well attended and it was a nice touch to be able to park your pre-72 Land Rover in a reserved car park a stone’s throw from a complimentary coffee and bacon buttie!
As Philip said as he sank a well-earned post-parade pint, ‘What a weekend! I have to say how much I enjoyed being part of this unique event. Driving the Elephant Car around the Goodwood circuit was an amazing experience. To see eleven of our unique vehicles on the track, along with the other selected vehicles, gave me one hell of an emotional moment. Thank you to all who volunteered and helped with the preparations and to Richard for taking on the task of bringing it all together. JLR made us very welcome and supported the collection in a fantastic way. This event will be remembered for a long time’.
And here’s what some of our volunteer drivers had to say about their experiences at the Revival…
‘One of the most memorable Land Rover experiences of my life. To be in a convoy with Arthur Goddard will never happen again’. Patrick Cruywagen, Deputy Editor, Land Rover Monthly and driver of the 1966 Series 11b 110” Forward Control prototype.
‘It was a perfect combination: the Goodwood Revival, Battle of Britain Spitfires and the JLR-sponsored celebration of the Land Rover Series/Defender. Wonderful – I want to do it again!’ Nigel Barnes.
‘I had the most amazing time. What a privilege to be part of such an important display of Land Rovers. And what a great showcase for The Dunsfold Collection’. Jan Richardson, driver of the 1958 Series 11 88” hardtop.
‘An incredible experience, what an awesome atmosphere! A credit to all involved’. Suzanne Stringer, driver of the 1966 Series 11a Half Ton ‘Lightweight’.
'What a privilege to be part of such a unique Land Rover event at the Goodwood Revival.' Charles Whitaker, driver of the 1958 Series 11 109” Moy Elevator.
Our sincere thanks to Goodwood marshal Phil Goodge who kindly sent us the wonderful photograph of the 1963 Turbo diesel truck and the 1964 Series 11a Forest Rover competing to set a new record for the Goodwood circuit - for the slowest lap!
We are pleased to share a selection of Phil's photographs in our gallery, as well as some taken by John Lakey - our thanks to both John and Phil for kindly allowing us to post their images. And before anyone asks, no, the Dunsfold Collection has not acquired a Spitfire!
Goodwood Revival 2015
