1,000 Mile Motor Car Run
1900
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at the dawn of the 20th century motor cars were rare in Britain, these new vehicles being enjoyed by relatively
few, well-off, individuals. A large part of the population were not too
appreciative of these wealthy joyriders speeding around, kicking up great dust
clouds and running down livestock. With the usual means of travel and transport then
being by either horse or railway, those with established interests in bloodstock
or the railways were also concerned that this new form of transport, only
legalised four years earlier in 1896, would pose a threat to their investments.
To
help the fledgling British motor industry publicly demonstrate that motors were
desirable and legitimate vehicles, and not just rich boys' toys, Claude Johnson,
Secretary of the Automobile Club (the forerunner of the RAC), conceived a 1000
mile trial over some of the most demanding roads of England and Scotland, with
exhibitions of the competing vehicles in the major towns and cities visited en
route. Such an event would not only demonstrate the reliability and
performance of the motors, but also allow people, many of whom would not even
have seen a car before, a close-up view of these vehicles. The Trial, from London
to Edinburgh
and back, was scheduled over three weeks from
23rd April to
12th May 1900
.
Mr.
Johnson paid a visit to
Lincoln
on
5th January 1900
, to make arrangements for the tour to visit
Lincoln
on May 11th. It was hoped to
obtain permission for the cars to be parked as they came in at the G.N. Station
Yard. Each car would be numbered and programmes issued describing the tour, and
the Automobile Club. A dinner would be held and some well known gentlemen asked
to speak.
Such
a visit was considered to be beneficial to the motor car movement in
Lincolnshire which was steadily progressing. It was hoped that the tour would remove many mistaken notions
about automobiles, but also highlight the qualities and benefits of the motor
movement. It was hoped that with these one day exhibitions, the general
public would be able to see for themselves how advanced automobiles were.
After
Mr. Johnson’s visit it was decided to form a strong local committee, and every
arrangement would be made for the success of the tour.
The story continues