40 veteran cars at the local

[killer]

This morning 40 veteran cars arrived (under their own power) at my local pub's car park. The oldest appeared to be an 1899 Renault. There were several other Renaults, quite a lot of De Dion Bouton models, a Singer, a Humber, a few Rovers, and an Oldsmobile. It is quite a sight!

[RealBlackStuff]

Considering the way your beautiful village looks (Googled it), it's not surprising those car-owners look for a background matching the 'age' of their cars.
Way back when in 1964 I visited Beaulieu, which even then already held a fantastic collection.
If you ever pop over to France, go to Mulhouse in the Alsace, and visit the Schlumpf museum.
http://www.collection-schlumpf.com/en/schlumpf/
They house the largest collection of Bugattis in the world!

[killer]

Thank you, RBS, it is a lovely place to live. Only 60 miles from London but now protected by the newly created South Downs National Park.

I took my young nephew to Beaulieu last year and he thought it was amazing. His favourite exhibit was the Mini that was used in the 1960s to advertise Outspan oranges. Click here for a picture: http://www.stfocus.net/photography/d/32 ... Orange.JPG

I look forward to seeing the Schlumpf museum.

[dsvochak]

@killer: I imagine your nephew would like this one too:
http://www.reedberry.com/wienermobile.html
(Finally had time to look for the link)

[killer]

That's priceless, I'll pass the link on to him. Hopefully he'll love it ... but he is very nearly 15 now so don't be surprised if he just goes, "Yeah, so what."

[killer]

Considering the way your beautiful village looks (Googled it), it's not surprising those car-owners look for a background matching the 'age' of their cars.
Way back when in 1964 I visited Beaulieu, which even then already held a fantastic collection.
If you ever pop over to France, go to Mulhouse in the Alsace, and visit the Schlumpf museum.
http://www.collection-schlumpf.com/en/schlumpf/
They house the largest collection of Bugattis in the world!

We were in Alsace about 10 days ago and we went to the Schlumpf museum for a morning. What an amazing collection! I was made to appear very thick as I had told the wife that Bugatti was an Italian manufacturer.

Did you notice how many cars in the museum were right-hand drive? We were amazed that until about 1933 every car had the steering wheel on the right. Mercedes seemed to be the first to change. Bugattis had right-hand drive until their latest car. This seems very odd for continental Europe, but not for Ireland or the UK.

Quite a puzzle!

[RealBlackStuff]

I'm sure you enjoyed your stay in the Alsace and beyond. Lucky you!
Ettore Bugatti WAS Italian, but lived and built cars in Molsheim/Alsace for many years. He died in Paris.
I am not aware of him becoming a French citizen, but I'm sure the French would want you to believe that.
See also http://www.bugatti.com/en/tradition/his ... gatti.html

As to driving on the left/right side of the road: see this http://www.i18nguy.com/driver-side.html

[killer]

That was a fascinating article on the side of the road on which to drive. What a wonderful piece of deduction to work out that ancient Romans drove on the left.

It does seem to make sense for a sports car to have the driver's seat on the right because most racing circuits in Europe are clockwise. Also torque from the engine is offset by the weight on the right side. I never thought of that.

I get on a bicycle or motorbike from the left because that is the kerbside here. Then I watch people in France mounting from the left while standing in the road.

From which side of the bicycle do other people mount?

[RealBlackStuff]

I also lived in the Netherlands for many years, and people there mount their bicycles mostly from the left.
Last time I had a bike (many, MANY moons ago), I also got on from the left.
One of the reasons is probably that the stand for parking your bike is also on the left of the frame.
See e.g. here: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7FU4bBtjoU4/S ... G_0348.JPG

[j-dawg]

I get on a bicycle or motorbike from the left because that is the kerbside here. Then I watch people in France mounting from the left while standing in the road.

From which side of the bicycle do other people mount?

I am right-handed. I mount bicycles, scooters, skateboard, etc. from the left because my right leg does the balance work, which requires some pretty precise muscle movement. When I ride a kick scooter or a skateboard, I keep my right leg on the board because I get better balance.

[killer]

j-dawg,

I am amazed that you right leg does the balance work. I think my balance is sorted out in my head ... something to do with the inner ears.

Anyway thank you for contributing your thoughts on mounting a bike.

[LegendaryKA8]

Very interesting... I love scoping out classic cars.

That said, if any of you are in the Denver, CO area between May and September, Clive Cussler(author of the Dirk Pitt novels if any of you are familiar) opens his private collection to the public. The hours are rather short, but he has very many interesting vehicles. My personal favorite was the '39 Pierce Arrow V12 Berline with matching travel trailer, but his entire collection is rather interesting. There are cars there I never thought I would have been able to see in person.

[killer]

That looks a fascinating collection. For other people browsing this topic, here's a link to the Cussler Museum website: http://www.cusslermen.com/CusslerMuseum.htm