Martin Squires Automotive Illustration: VMCC 65th Banbury Run 2013

Well it soon comes around again, the VMCC Banbury Run, my favourite event of the year to attend and sketch. There is so many inspiring machines in fact way too many to take in in one day. As I was leaving I was still seeing machines that I hadn't seen already. The run is the largest gathering of it's kind in the world, as 600 pre 1930 bikes and their riders gather to participate in this infamous event.

For more information on the event please visit the website:

www.banbury-run.co.uk

1930 Scott Flying Squirrel 600cc

(Watercolour and Ink)

I've been meaning to sketch a Scott for a while and when I saw this Flying Squirrel I had to take the opportunity. Scott Motorcycles were the brainchild of Alfred Scott who pioneered the development of the two stroke engine and mounted one of these engines onto a Premier bicycle. Scott then went on to develop his own motor bicycle with a 450cc two stroke mounted in a triangulated frame. Scott motorcycles were often quicker that the more common four stroke machines of the time. When they entered the TT not only did the scott become the first two stoke to complete the course under race conditions, in 1911 Frank Philip took the lap record with a continuous average speed of 50.11mph on a scott. Scott then dominated the TT winning the event in 1912 and 1913.

1902 Quadrant Autocylette

(Ink)

I made sure I caught at least one very early machine before they headed off at 10am. This 1902 Quadrant is simplicity itself, pretty much a pushbike with a bolted on engine. Actually that down plays these bikes a lot as the frame was purpose built to hold the clip on Minerva engine which was a very popular engine at the time. Quadrant were based in Birmingham (UK) and were one of the earliest developers of motor bicycles starting in 1901. They pioneered suction inlet valves, hand oil pumps and direct drive, as well as a spray carburettor in 1904 and magneto ignition in 1907.

1924 Motobecane MB1

(ink)

Bought to the event on the back of a Model T pickup this bike then proceeded to loose the cover for the timing chain on the journey round the course, hence the sporty look of the exposed chain on the side.

1923 Excelsior Junior 150cc

(ink)

This is a very rare machine by the fact that it has stayed in the same family all of it's life. It has been passed down through the Standfield family from generation to generation. Raymond the current owner's grandfather passed it on to Raymond's Uncle who restored the machine.

Here's just a small selection of the huge amount of machines in attendance:

1913 Veloce

Well I met his bike but unfortunately I didn't meet the owner Pete Young who hails from San Francisco and writes the fantastic Occhio Lungo blog which reflects his interest in early machinery.