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1917 Dodge Hornsted Special.


R.White

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http://www.gavinmcguire.co.uk/car-sales-details/Veteran-and-Edwardian-Cars/Dodge/Hornsted-Special/10349.htm

I thought you guys might be interested in this replica racer. It seems (to me) like a more rational modification than others I have seen. Like the Dodge LSR cars, it serves a purpose in the spirit of historic motor racing, if not, as in their case, in it's development. The original version of this early special would have torn around Brooklands at 75 mph. I wonder what this one will do?

I have always been interested in Brooklands. There is a strong tradition over here for creating "Brooklands" replicas which range from vintage Bentleys to Austin Sevens but my favourite is the MG M Type midget.

In 1939 WW2 brought racing at the Weybridge track permanently to an end but what remains still lives on thanks to enthusiasts.

Ray.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/classiccars/9966673/Driving-a-Blitzen-Benz.html

This is what LG Hornsted drove at Brooklands and held the first two way LSR. Barney Oldfield went fastest timed one way at Daytona Beach. From 1911 Bob Burman held the record for 8 years at 141 mph.

Edited by R.White (see edit history)
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Yes Mike, it is. Hornsted must have decided the DB would do well at Brooklands. That's significant and the success he had with the lightened and tuned up car would not have escaped the PR guys back in Detroit. I bet there is a reference to it in the advertising literature somewhere.

For me, the fate of the Brooklands circuit is a National disgrace. After the WW2, Despite valiant efforts by historical societies, what amounts to one of the most short sighted decisions ever, this incredible banked structure with it's unique motor racing and aviation history was given over to redevelopment. Can you imagine the Indy track being trashed??

If, by some miracle, the circuit could be restored, it would be a big money spinner judging by the popularity of the Goodwood Revival and Festival of Speed events but it won't happen now. Mercedes Benz have made a significant investment with a lavish museum near the club house. Ironic, really, considering the Germans bombed the hell out of the track in the War!

So much still remains it can be clearly seen from the air. I urge everyone to Google Earth Brooklands and try not to shed a tear. These days, many car clubs meet there and you can relive the past by driving on one of the surviving banked sections. If interested, read up about what is happening these days thanks to the 'Brooklands Trust' and imagine what it must have been like when thousands flocked to see motor racing before 1939. http://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/index.php?/history

Ray.

Edited by R.White (see edit history)
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Interesting stuff Ray. Considering that it closed in 1939, I'm surprised how much of the layout is still recognizable. Those banked turns must have really been something when it opened in 1907. I also didn't realize it became a hub of areoplane and aerospace activity.

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Hi Mike. Hope you are keeping warm - we have heard about the snow!

For me, Brooklands is a sad tale of what might have been. I grew up near there and as a kid used to ride my bike around some of the surviving sections which 50 years ago were much longer and in better condition than now. In those days I used to imagine that the growing interest in our motor racing heritage - also cycle racing- would bring about a National Center for the sport but it turned out to be a pipe dream. I learned never to underestimate the power of short term profit at the expense of long term benefits.

Before the War, my Dad used to watch the racing with his mates and remembered seeing cars go "over the top". Actually,even in his day, car racing was still the preserve of the rich so he was more interested in motorcycle racing. He had a racing Norton 500 and described the track as "pretty rough". I don't think he was very competitive but he did get to know some of the big names. I was apparently named after Raymond Mays but I think the old fella 'gilded the lily' with his memories sometimes. He was however based there with the air training corps during the conflict. They used to learn to fly on bi planes before jumping into spitfires!

How on earth the Government after the War couldn't see that Brooklands would have a future, I don't know but perhaps there were unseen vested interests at work. Remember, that there had always been opposition to motor racing in what had become a built up area. This was why the 24 hours race had to be split into what became known as the "double twelve". Not that far from the track is the exclusive St Georges Hill private estate; home to some of the most powerful and wealthy people in the country who could have had considerable influence to ensure a quiet life!

Ray.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Station_(1910%E2%80%931963)#mediaviewer/File:Penn_Station3.jpg

Demolition of this masterpiece was a national disgrace!!

Our railways have also suffered from such short sighted thinking. Derby station springs to mind.

In England the loss of many grand country houses is only matched in it's damage to our heritage by the sweeping away of many Tudor cottages for road widening etc., Thankfully, these days all the very old buildings are protected.

Ray.

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That is remarkable Ray. It looks like it has been going on regularly for the last 100 years and more... In more recent years has there not been more effort to re-purpose some of these historic buildings? Some of the more architecturally interesting buildings would make for charming hotels, etc. I realize it likely costs more to refurbish, add utilities, etc. compared to new construction but one would think the history of these places would have some value as tourist attractions and the like.

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I appreciate you showing an interest, Mike. I have a particular interest because I used to work for a company which specialised in rescuing big old country houses by sensitively dividing them into very exclusive houses and apartments within their original Parkland settings. It was a dream job for 20 years and we saved some fine properties. The trick is to get planning consent for some new high end development within the grounds. With most historic mansions being "listed" meaning they have legal protection these days, large redundant buildings have limited appeal on the open market so finding a new use without some sort of development is difficult.

Like you say hotel use is an option with various health/spa/golfing facilities etc. and you can rest assured a good many country houses are today well maintained and employing large numbers of people in the tourist and leisure industries. A change in the law has allowed many country houses to get into weddings and of course they also make good conference venues. Some places have adapted their grounds for classic car and historic motor racing events while others hold outdoor concerts. Many country houses have been used as schools, others as Company head quarters.

There are, of course, old, landed families still in their original ancestral homes but not in the numbers there used to be. Larger estates still keep going with shooting, fishing and farming incomes. There is also a strong equestrian element. If the house is of sufficient historic interest - a Stately home for example - it can be opened to the public and if gardens are your thing then you are spoilt for choice.

Last port in a storm for a 'National Treasure' under threat, is the National Trust, which will take on an historic property as long as it is accompanied by an endowment (must be financially self supporting). The NT is one of Britain's greatest non Governmental conservation bodies and looks after hundreds of historic houses and gardens as well as protecting castles, Mills, coastline, forests, farmland, moorland, wetlands, Islands, nature reserves, entire villages including pubs!

Better get back to Dodge Brothers subject before I get in trouble again!

Ray.

Edited by R.White (see edit history)
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It does sound like a dream job Ray. When were these homes at their peak numbers? Was it the industrial revolution and growth of middle class/demand for middle class homes that precipitated their decline? I suppose at the root of it the landed families either run out of funds to keep up the places and/or heirs are not interested in doing so. On the subject of old cars, were there ever any interesting old 'carriage house' finds when you were doing this work?

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I remember a time warp coach house in Windlesham , Surrey, (just a mile from where I used to live) where a magnificent Edwardian (brass) Lorraine de Dietrich touring car had lain undisturbed for many years. The 19th century mansion was auctioned (you can't win 'em all!) but the car attracted more interest than the house!!

For hundreds of years the country house was a centre of power. The First World War brought about an end to the power of the class system as democracy was extended to everyone. Britain's public finances were in a terrible state and the Government decided to tap the vast wealth of the 'ruling' class families. At the same time, working class people decided that they were no longer going to be deferential servants for the rich and many left to work in the cities. The writing was on the wall. WW2 completely broke Britain and again the Government taxed the rich heavily.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destruction_of_country_houses_in_20th-century_Britain

The upper classes have survived, however, and the Country house has adapted to the modern world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_country_houses_in_the_United_Kingdom

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