1904 Rambler Fiasco.
After leaving the Park Lane Hotel in a light drizzle we meandered
through some side streets passing onlookers preparing to watch the
spectacle unfold. The car was running beautifully -a good
sign. The Rambler is powerful, sits high and has stopping power
attributes that make this vehicle attractive. Hyde Park was nearby
only several minutes away. The police and control personnel were
omnipresent and despite the massive congestion and light "stop and go"
lineup the car performed well. I suspect the cold and rain helped
keep the motor cool at idle. We arrived at the appointed staging area
and were relieved- we made it to the first check point. Our position
was well in the back of the grid and therefore had to wait about 1 and
1/2 hours prior to release. It was time well spent. I looked over
the car as best I could. Lubricants, water and fuel were nominal. The
chain was tight. Transmission bands and brakes were tight. This car
was ready to run. In fact we were convinced that not only could we
get to Brighton but return to London and do it twice that same day!
We met friends while waiting for the start. Mr. Charles Gee, a
Triumph Spitfire vintage racer from Southern California managed
to combine his wife's London business trip with this event. Mr.
Jason Len was also a casual passerby. He races a Jaguar in Vintage
with the Vintage Auto Racing Association.
The whistle blew and told us to load and start parading to the
starting line. As the we idled to the front the crowd grew larger and
deeper. It seemed that there were so many people here. The parade of
cars to the front was spectacular. We passed a dozen or so cars
already plagued with mechanical failure(s). The road in front of us
was laden with drips and puddles of oil and water. We were so excited
it was difficult study the spectacle. Everyone stops at the starting
line. The announcer then reads the pedigree of the car and comments
as to the uniqueness of the vehicle. He then gives the starter the
nod and the car is released to run.
The start was flawless and the ride past the throngs of people was
a real honor. We were beaming with joy. The road took as past
Buckingham palace and onto London Bridge past Big Ben. This was
absolutely fabulous.
It all stopped just past the bridge. Traffic was horrific. Stop and
stop some more. This car couldn't idle very well. It had an original
(read: well worn) carburator. The throttle was either open or closed.
Meanwhile the rain had stopped and the ambient temperature improved a
bit as the faint glimmer of sun poked through. The radiator started
to steam and our cheerful faces drooped. Despite all our efforts the
traffic took its toll. This proud and noble vehicle broke a rod and
pieces of 1904 cast iron was spread on the road. Our group was a sad
site. We were all dressed up with nowhere to go. We only made it
eight miles past Hyde Park.
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