Pendine Sands Hot Rod Beach Time Trials 2015

I Many of you know me as the Cafe Racer guy, but- I am also a crazy Hot Rodder and have owned a 31 5 window A Bone, I had a 1932 3 Window Coupe and when I moved here to the States in 2000 I built a 1929 Model A on B rails.

 

But fast Forward to 2015 and they have the Time trials at Pendine Sands in Wales and boy what a turn out, over 100 Hot Rods and such warmth and Camaraderie, it will be hard to beat that anywhere around the globe, so below is just a sample of what went on via peoples photos.

 

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I love the Traditional old style Hot Rod and hope to have another again soon.

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But, Pendine sands back in the UK is a great piece of historical History that not many people know about.

 

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So Below is a bunch of photos from people that made the 2015 Pendine Sands meet and boy are there some corkers there, you can feel the friendly atmosphere and sure wished I could of attended.

 

 

 

All shot on Canon 6D bodies and wide open Sigma 24mm and 50mm F1.4 Art Series and Canon 135mm F2 L lenses.

Post processing in Lightroom with VCSO filters.

— with Shaun Veness.

 

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I cannot tell you how cool this is to see, I am 5000 miles away and this is such a great sight to set my mince pies on, look at all them cool rides.

 

 

 

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Check out Harley Peters and his 4 Banger Roadster, built from scratch in 18 months and driven all the way there and back for the first time.

 

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Just look at the great shots here, you cannot put a Date here as it is so Nostalgic, I love these photos as it really captures the era and the fun.

 

 

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Just look at the beach dead flat and the view of all them Hot Rods is breath taking, someday I shall get home again to see this for myself.

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Cruising along and listening to the V8’s, Flatties and 4 bangers must of been something to behold this weekend as you look through your Hallock windshield.

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Be it a Convertible, A Speedster, a Roadster pick up or a 5 window Coupe, everyone was enjoying this great occasion.

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How about this shot, A pick up, Tudor, 5 window coupe and Roadster, all henry’s finest on the sands.

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Hot rods as far as the eye can see as they Blap along the Sands in formation, what a sight and what a sound I bet?

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From Jalopy’s to Cal Customs, these machines were all enjoying their little bit of freedom together in one place.

 

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Great Cloud formations shows it must of got a little windy at times and maybe some H2O but who would care as this was Hot Rod heaven.

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below, this photo could of been taken right out of Hot Rod magazine back in the day, a Brilliant shot that’s for certain.

 

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So many great rides and people here in Wales for this meet and boy were there some superb examples of the Hobby I still have such a passion for.

 

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How cool is this shot Below, Looks Like a McCullough Blower set up with that awesome intake poking out of the Hoot, pure Hot Rodding.

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Turtle Deck T Roadster sits on the beach I wonder what ed Iskendarian would think if he saw these photos, I will hopefully show these to him.

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Gow Job- this is the old style that you never get to see very often and love the whole concept of this Roadster, Love the Hood sides.

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I love this Right Hand drive Brit Roadster and the commercial lights, real Hot Rodding at its best, super job matey!

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Cabriolet Looked wicked with old continental kit for front fenders, an old Hot Rod trick back in the day and Lakester style Headers too!

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Dick Mann would be proud of this machine, altered gow job in all its glory.

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I love seeing Girls in Hot Rods and this is a great shot, angled windshield as this Small Block gets it down the beach in no time.

I love the Wish bones and the Exhaust existing through the 32 rails.

 

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Having owned a belly Tank this was such a cool sight to see and where many drop tanks ended up after the war.

 

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Flag start- just how it used to be, nice shot here.

 

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Really great old style photo with this geezer in all the cool Nostalgic gear, a really cool shot this.

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BRAAAAAAPPP!!!  I love this Three Window shot.

 

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With hardly any vision in this chopped and channeled 5 Window this is how many Hot Rodders did it in the day.

 

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Another Classic photo that could be in Hop Up or Hot Rod magazine, just a timeless shot.

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Two of my mates below, 61 is Tim Sparks and behind is 74 Harley peters, they must of had a ball driving all the way here and back home too.

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Going full tilt with no cops chasing you.

 

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Love this 5 Window High Boy, doing what they did back in the day and, loving it I bet!

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Talk about getting right into it, such a great photo of this fella giving it the beans as he leans into the Roadster.

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This should be titled “The element of Speed”

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So nice to see a few steel Pick ups out there too, something for everyone, but- I love them all.

 

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Look at this 5 window, what a great stance, sheer determination as he changed gear mid track.

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Just so many good rides out here and enjoyment for anyone that was lucky enough to witness this Classic Occasion in Wales.

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I am sure everybody who drove on the beach will never forget this day as I don’t think I will looking at these great photos.

Below my mate Martin gives his A-Bone a good ringing out, he has owned this car for many years and love seeing this photo.

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Roadster Pick up looks great as it Bimbles down the Beach in search of a fast time.

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Super shot of the Closed cab and flatty powered, stepping on the loud pedal.

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My Buddy Tin Sparks in his Navy Blue Roadster giving it a bit of welly down the straight away. Ive known him 3 decades.

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1930 A Bone 5 window looks cool on the power.

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This looks fast even standing still, so many cool machines here.

 

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I call this the Buckland Special, they turn out awesome machines if you ever need one to be built.

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Lovely unchopped Three Window Blapping along, love the Louvres.

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I have spent a lot of time looking at these photos and love everything about it, what a great turn out too.

 

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Ballsy move to take this Wickedly chopped 5 Window  Custom out for a blap along the sand!

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Hot Rodding at its very roots is right here in the shot, such a Nostalgic Photo and stoked he got the picture, I really dig this.

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Love the A-Bone, giving it hell and just like they did over on the dry lakes at El Mirage back in the day!  Brilliant A-V8 Roadster.

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Just Spoilt for choice on all these shots, so glad he could capture the moment for those who couldn’t make the trip to Wales.

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You have to love it all here at Pendine, and I know this event is only going to get bigger.

 

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Super cool 5 Window A Bone on deuce Rails and nicely put together as well, the Rods all look really well built and I take my hat off to you all!

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California Plated A-Bone looked great on the beach.

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Gripping the Banjo Wheel as they get ready to flag start the time trial, and sure looks like fun to me.

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This photo is right out of 1948 and could be at El Mirage or Harper’s dry lake, what a fantastic photograph!

 

 

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The tirtle deck T reminds of my mate “Sinus” from the Shifters and another awesome shot.

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One of the Sidewinders club members looking happy as he sits on the infamous Time trials beach at Pendine Sands.

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Feels like I am reading early Hot Rod magazine with these shots and hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

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On the Pedal hard as the A-Bone goes for his Goal on the flats of Pendine beach!

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Well how about this Roadster? Fully fendered and gunning for a good time!

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Sitting low to be more stream lined and a Classic photo here.

 

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So cool to have a flag girl and we shall do it here at El Mirage one of these days as i hope to build another roadster.

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OK- Enough of me Blubbering on, just scroll down to see some super cool Photos and video’s, great event and hope to get there one day.

 

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Below: Harley Peters in his 4 Banger that he built himself testament to the younger lot who are into the Lifestyle, great job Harley.

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The images are so Nostalgic and even though i was not there, it sure felt like i was, I am attaching all sorts of photos from other people that were there, that way you get to see everything about this Classic Event that one day i hope to visit and take to the beach and listen to the Flatheads roar!

 

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Below – Harley Peters started his build 18 months ago with a Chassis and now is driving all over the place and made his maiden Voyage to Pendine.

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here is Harley at Buckland where all the cool rides are now created back home in the UK.

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Harley Peters and his hand built 4 Banger Roadster is really an superb Effort and ran like a top.

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Big Matt Bolt sits in his machine and enjoys the fruits of his labor at this great beach meet at Pendine Sands.

 

 

 

Johnny Best and Tim Sparks Chew the fat.

 

 

 

 

 

FINALLY- A great shot of my mate Harley Peters, he built this A- Bone 4 Banger himself in Eighteen months and this was its maiden Voyage.

And it ran like a proverbial Top- Great Job mate.

 

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Here is a bit I borrowed from the VHRA   http://www.vhra.co.uk/VHRA/News/Entries/2015/7/7_Pendine_Speeds_2015.html

 

 

 

Here we have a Few Videos.

Below is some History and information you may like to know.

 

In the early 1900s the sands were used as a venue for car and motor cycle races. From 1922 the annual Welsh TT motor cycle event was held at Pendine Sands. The firm flat surface of the beach created a race track that was straighter and smoother than many major roads of the time. Motor Cycle magazine described the sands as “The finest natural speedway imaginable”.

In the 1920s it became clear that roads and race tracks were no longer adequate venues for attempts on the world land speed record. As record breaking speeds approached 150 mph (240 km/h), the requirements for acceleration to top speed before the measured mile and safe braking distance afterwards meant that a smooth, flat, straight surface of at least 5 miles (8.0 km) in length was needed. The first person to use Pendine Sands for a world land speed record attempt was Malcolm Campbell. On September 25, 1924 he set a world land speed record of 146.16 mph (235.22 km/h) on Pendine Sands in his Sunbeam 350HP car Blue Bird.

Four other record breaking runs were made on Pendine Sands between 1924 and 1927; two more by Campbell, and two by Welshman J. G. Parry-Thomas in his car Babs. The 150 mph (240 km/h) barrier was decisively broken, and Campbell raised the record to 174.22 mph (280.38 km/h) in February 1927 with his second Blue Bird.

On March 3, 1927 Parry-Thomas attempted to beat Campbell’s record. On his final run while travelling at about 170 mph (270 km/h) the exposed drive chain broke and partially decapitated him; Babs went out of control and rolled over. Parry-Thomas was the first driver to be killed during a world land speed record attempt. This was the final world land speed record attempt made at Pendine Sands.

Parry-Thomas’ car Babs was buried in the sand dunes near the village of Pendine. In 1969 Owen Wyn Owen, an engineering lecturer from Bangor Technical College, sought and received permission to excavate Babs. Over the next 15 years he restored the car, which is now housed in the Museum of Speed in Pendine village.

In 1933 Amy Johnson and her husband, Jim Mollison, took off from Pendine Sands in De Havilland DH.84 Dragon G-ACCV ‘Seafarer’ to fly non-stop to New York. Blown off course, they landed down-wind in the dark at Bridgeport, Connecticut after flying for 39 hours over a distance of 3,300 miles at an average speed of 85 mph, overshot, and were both seriously injured in the crash.

During the Second World War the Ministry of Defence acquired Pendine Sands and used it as a firing range. The beach is still owned by the Ministry of Defence; prominent signs warn of the dangers of unexploded munitions and public access is restricted. Monday to Friday part of the beach is closed off because of MOD operations.

In June 2000 Don Wales, grandson of Malcolm Campbell and nephew of Donald Campbell, set the United Kingdom electric land speed record at Pendine Sands in Bluebird Electric 2, achieving a speed of 137 mph (220 km/h).

Top Gear filmed a review as part of the fifth episode of their fourth season, and returned to film a second review for the first episode of the fifth season. Scrapheap Challenge used the beach as the venue for the challenge in Season 10, Episode 1, aired in 2008.

Today Pendine Sands is sometimes used as a stage in rally car events, although spectator access is limited for safety reasons. It is also a popular venue for kite buggying and homebuilt hovercraft.

Between 9 July 2004 and May 2010 all vehicles were banned from using Pendine due to safety concerns, however since May 2010 cars have again been allowed access.

Records Set at Pendine Sands

Date Location Driver Driver Country Vehicle Power Speed over
1 Km
Speed over
1 Mile
Comments
September 25, 1924 Pendine Sands, Wales Sir Malcolm Campbell Great Britain 350hp Sunbeam Blue Bird
V-12
IC 146.15 mph (235.21 km/h) 146.16 mph (235.22 km/h)
July 21, 1925 Pendine Sands, Wales Sir Malcolm Campbell Great Britain 350hp Sunbeam Blue Bird
V-12
IC 150.86 mph (242.79 km/h) 150.76 mph (242.62 km/h) First person ever officially to go over, and set record in excess of 150 mph
April 27, 1926 Pendine Sands, Wales J. G. Parry-Thomas Great Britain Higham-Thomas Special Babs
45 degree V-12
IC 169.29 mph (272.45 km/h) 168.07 mph (270.48 km/h)
April 28, 1926 Pendine Sands, Wales J. G. Parry-Thomas Great Britain Higham-Thomas Special Babs
45 degree V-12
IC 171.01 mph (273.60 km/h) 170.62 mph (274.59 km/h)
February 4, 1927 Pendine Sands, Wales Sir Malcolm Campbell Great Britain Campbell Napier Blue Bird
Napier W-12 Cylinder
IC 174.88 mph (281.44 km/h) 174.22 mph (280.38 km/h) Last record set in Europe

Roadster up on the Auction Blocks.

 

 

Now, this is a Cool Piece of Little Nostalgia that i would love to own, but its all available to the public if you make a bid on the Auction that is coming up, The Rodders Journal did a write up on this cool Flathead powerd Roadster and I wanted to share it with you lot.

 



The Unknown Roadster Auction

It’s a rare opportunity to own a bona fide hot rod survivor. But that’s just what Auctions America is offering when the flathead-powered Model A Ford “Unknown Roadster” (TRJ #61) crosses the block at their upcoming California auction. It’s one of several historic rods and customs (some of which have also graced our pages) consigned for the event. If you have the opportunity to be there July 31st through August 2nd at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel, it’s one you won’t want to miss.

 

The Unknown Roadster earned its moniker because despite its early- to mid-’50s design and construction, no one has uncovered any history prior to 1962. Styling cues like the deeply channeled body and cycle fenders lend an East Coast flavor, while other details like the ’40 Ford dash, roll pans, louvers, and nerf bars hint at a West Coast ’50s show rod past. To add to the mystery, a 1955-issue dime is affixed to the center of the steering wheel, possibly marking the date of the little roadster’s completion.

 

 

Bob Conner originally discovered it in a lean-to in Colorado around 1970. It took nearly 20 years for him to purchase the old Ford, and shortly thereafter Colorado hot rodder Gary Vahling took ownership. Gary was able to piece together a little bit of history, including the possible identity of a previous owner, a man named Bob Flager, and a 1962 photograph taken by Fort Collins hot rodder Ed Koski. Before long Gary’s brother Frank bought the car and installed a fresh flathead before selling it to Greg Hopkins of Dothan, Alabama.

 

 

 

Our feature in TRJ #61 chronicled Greg’s journey driving the roadster on its solo maiden voyage from Colorado to Alabama. He snapped dozens of artful photographs as he traversed the states on the back roads and “blue highways.” We had the opportunity to see the Unknown Roadster in action when Greg brought it to Baltimore for our TRJ Revival last year. He drove it to every rod run, cruise, and party we hosted–and the crowds gathered everywhere he went. More recently he installed a Vern Tardel-built 286-inch flathead with a Cyclone 3×2 intake and heads, a four-inch Merc crank, and an Isky full-race cam–all hooked to a venerable 3-speed toploader.

In addition to our story in TRJ, the roadster was featured in Pat Ganahl’s Lost Hot Rods II and Volume 10 of Mark Morton’s Hop Up annual. But the next chapter will be written in just a few weeks when it crosses the auction block in Southern California. We’re excited to see where it ends up, and hope to see it out on the road again in the near future. And in this day and age, we don’t doubt more of its history will come to light as time goes on.

 

The Auctions America California sale is quickly earning a reputation for featuring hot rods and customs fitting of its Southern California location. In addition to the Unknown Roadster, Gene Winfield’s custom ’35 Ford shop truck is being offered following its well-documented resurrection by Texas’ Hatfield Restorations. And there are a number of other former TRJ feature cars crossing the block as well, including Bill Layman’s Ronnie Dragoo-style chopped, Cad-powered ’54 Merc and the Jackman Brothers’ famous Deuce sport coupe clone, built by Harry and Tom Jackman.

Over 400 cars will cross the block at Auctions America’s California sale, and you can click here to see a complete list and photos of them. There are offerings representing a broad range of eras and styles–and fitting a broad range of budgets to match. We hope to see you in Burbank later this month, and if you won’t be there to see the excitement firsthand, you can catch the highlights by tuning in to NBC Sports Network August 1st and 2nd.

 

 

Cheers!
Your Friends at The Rodder’s Journal