Canterbury car trials go back 79 years

Press, 20 February 1986, Page 21

Canterbury car trials go back 79 years

The first car trial in Canterbury was held on May 9, 1907. Conducted by the Canterbury Automobile Association, it comprised a run from Christchurch to Duvauchelles Bay and return, the route being via Halswell, Tai Tapu, Motukarara, Kaituna, Little River and Hill-Top.

Mr W. E. Mills, who drove a 12-16 h.p., fourcylinder chainless Talbot, was accompanied by three passengers, one of whom was an Automobile Association observer, Dr Shone.

Mr Mills scored 100 points — the maximum — and made a non-stop run. Two other 12-16 Talbots were the only other cars in the large car class that made non-stop runs.

Manufactured by the Earl of Shrewsbury and M. A. Clement in Britain, the 12-16 Talbot was hailed by “The Weekly Press” as "certainly the highest grade car imported into New Zealand.”

In those days, the car retailed for £7OO and, as supplied, was a five-seater tourer with paraffin side lamps, tail lamp, jack and tools.

The similarly equipped

10-12 two-cylinder Talbot was also imported in

those days and sold for £525.

Commenting on the Christchurch — Duvauchelles reliability trial and its outcome, Mr R. M. Macdonald, the president

This 12-16 h.p. chainless Talbot, driven by Mr W. E. Mills, won the large car class in the first car trial conducted in Canterbury, in May, 1907. The trial was from Christchurch to Duvauchelle and return. Mr Mills accomplished the run non-stop to score maximum points in the . event,

of the Automobile Association, said that the course had been particularly well chosen, being about the hardest in Canterbury for the purpose, and probably as difficult as could be wished anywhere.

Referring to the cars, Mr Macdonald said that many more mechanical troubles had been expected and the result showed that the later build of cars were infinitely more reliable than their predecessors.