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The Blog
9 March 2019
The journey: ‘Practical Classics’ Classic Car and Restoration Show 2019
I’m super excited to announce this…
Bess will be on display at the 2019 ‘Practical Classics’ Car and Restoration show at the NEC, Birmingham from the 22nd to the 24th March.
This will be the very first public outing of Bess since I acquired her. It will also be the proper launch for this blog, and the start of the very long journey to get her back on the road.
Being a total novice, I’m hoping to share the story of the car, whilst researching and seeking out some people and businesses that can help me with the restoration effort. I’m also hoping that some members of the family will be able to join me at various points over the weekend too.
If you’d like to come and have a closer look at Black Bess, get and advanced preview of the extensive timeline on events that have led up to this point or simply just say hello, I’ll be with some lovely friends on the
Gay Classic Car Group in
hall 5
on
stand 380.
Also at the show this year will be my very good friend James Davis with his absolutely beautiful MGA twin cam roadster. Much like Bessy, the MG has an exceptional story to tell. Not only this, but James is using the story to raise awareness for the Alzheimer’s Society.
You’ll find the “MGAlzheimers” (and a very proud James) on the Association of Heritage Engineers, also in hall 5. It’s well worth a read of James’ page too: mgalzheimers.co.uk
Come and say hello. We'd love to see you. I've even included a picture of the two of us so you know who you're looking for.
Links:
Tickets to the show are available here: necrestorationshow.com
To find out more about the Gay Classic Car Group, please visit the club site here: gccg.org.uk
The Association of Heritage Engineers, their website is here: associationofheritageengineers.co.uk
James (left) and Elliot (right) enjoying
a day out in the MGA Twincam
8 March 2019
A look back: What’s in a name?
Some of you may be wondering where the name came from. I mean, at first glance and with a society that is much more aware of inclusion and diversity, it could be all too easy view it as something quite offensive. However, it couldn’t be further from it.
For her day, Bessy was a very big car. At over 4.3 meters long, 1.6 meters wide and 1.6 meters high, she’s the same length and height as a 2019 Volkswagen Golf (if not a little slimmer around the hips…) Check out the image of an early E series parked next to a 2002 Vauxhall Vectra, taken at the Vauxhall heritage center in Luton.
By comparison, a typical family car in the 50’s such as a Morris Minor, was half a meter shorter, and almost 10 cm narrower and lower. Add to this, the robust and bulging bodywork, heavy doors and lashings of chrome, it’s not hard to see why she was referred to as a ‘bit of a tank.’
This was the inspiration for her name. An infamous British ‘Female’ Mark IV tank used in World War 1 at the Battle of Cambrai in France. Slow, imposing and quite unstoppable, tanks like Black Bess left onlookers in awe.
After being lost in November 1917 during the same battle, Black Bess became somewhat of a legend. And while and her fate remains a mystery to this day, it turned out that she was the perfect namesake for our equally lumbering, imposing and awe-inspiring old lady.
4 March 2019
The journey: Hello – I’m Elliot.
I guess first things first, I should really introduce myself properly. I’m Elliot. Thirty-something. Long time car enthusiast. Potty mouth. And now the custodian of Black Bess.
For those of you that have never seen a car like this before, Bessy is 1956 Vauxhall Wyvern. More specifically, she is an E-series Wyvern. These were built in Luton, England from 1952 – 1957 alongside the more lavishly specified Velox and Cresta models. These E-series cars were one of the first examples of the transatlantic styling that we saw in Britain. This American influence went on to define a generation of music, fashion and pop culture well into the 60's.
I acquired the car in the summer of 2018 but my relationship with this car goes back to the very start of my life. I wish I could say that I enjoy driving her on a regular basis however sadly, her condition is a little less than ideal these day. It’s not so much TLC that’s needed but some serious surgery. We’ll go into why exactly such a well-loved and prized family car is in such a poor state in future updates.
In the meantime, the plan with this page is to simultaneously share some of the amazing, and quite exceptional history of Bess alongside her journey back onto the tarmac and beyond. Look out for updates titled ‘A look back’ where I’ll be bringing this history to life. I’ll also be sharing my recent and future efforts, titled ‘The journey.’
For now, she’s resting safely in the garage under the same roof as us. Here are a few pictures of Bessy's current state (and one of my grandad and I too…)
