The Amilcar driven by S.G Hyslop accompanied by S.O Chapman on its way to a Melbourne-Sydney light car record of 14 hours 52 minutes on the ‘Hume Highway’, 13 February 1924…
Amilcar enthusiast Andrew Whittington posted this hitherto unseen photograph on social media proving yet again the power of the medium to share very interesting information of historic significance.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported the trip on 14 February 1924.
‘Yesterday…an Amilcar of only six horsepower, driven by Mr SG Hyslop, accompanied by Mr SO Chapman, achieved the remarkable feat of travelling from Melbourne to Sydney, nominally 565 1/2 miles, in 14 hours 52 minutes, thereby reducing the light car record between the capitals by 28 minutes.’
‘Even this remarkable time would have been still further materially reduced but for two involuntary stoppages through water getting into the magneto at Paddy’s River and the creek at the foot of Razorback Mountain near Picton.’
‘The tiny car left Melbourne at 4.20 am yesterday and was making good time on a dark morning, when, near Campbellfield, it ran into a dense fog, which lasted for many miles until near the top of Pretty Sally Hill. Between Albury and Holbrook there is a stretch of road usually regarded as among the fastest on the whole course, but on this occasion long stretches of it were found to be under repair, and the speed average was effected.’
‘Sydney GPO was reached at 7.12pm, the actual time being 14 hours 52 minutes. The time of departure was certified by Mr HW Harrison, representing the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, and that at the finish by Mr L Stuart, of the Royal Automobile Club of Australia.’
‘The car itself is an absolutely standard 6 hp Amilcar chassis, with special body and a strengthened stay for the radiator.’
The photograph above is as Andrew Whittington posted it on Facebook, whereas the opening shot used is after pushing a couple of magic ChatGPT buttons; take your pick as to preference.
Andrew records the cars four cylinder capacity of 1004cc and that it ‘was bulldozed into a hole with a lot of other cars after the war’. Very sadly!
Transcontinental record breaking was a big part of ‘motorsport’ in Australia in the early days of motoring, click here for an article about it; https://primotipo.com/2018/12/21/city-to-city-record-breaking-and-car-trials/
Credits…
Andrew Whittington Collection, ChatGPT, The Sydney Morning Herald 14 February 1924
Finito…
primotipo... 