I believe the Alpine was originally launched on the 2nd of July in Cannes, Does anybody feel that a trip down to the South of France to commemorate this ( in addition to the 2009 National ) would be a good idea ? Perhaps this could be brought up for discussion at this years AGM .

What a great idea! I took my Alpine to LeMans this year and driving in France is a joy - empty roads, great scenery, and high octane unleaded at a reasonable price.

Glad you like the idea Matt. I've forwarded a letter to Mowf regarding this for publication in August's Horn to see what sort of response there is from the membership who are not on line.

Great idea Steve. Lynda and i are both up for the trip

Great idea - have just been down - its a great trip - but avoid July/August September is great.

Glad to know you think it's a good idea Roger \/ . Did you make your recent trip in an Alpine?

Could you give me some idea of the route you took, stop overs and traveling time etc.

Sounds like a great way for a 50th cellebration I would be interested in the trip very much. Hopefully the car can behave itself and make the trip

Phil

Steve did you get my email ok?

Roger 8-[

Hi Roger,

yes I got your email message, sorry I've been a bit busy of late and have had no time to reply. The route doesn't look too bad, would you be interested in helping to organise a run if we get enough people interested?

Thanks - didn't want to nag but was worried as first one came back!

Sure I could do something if enough were interested - possibly may be able to arrange a venue in the Croisette (sea front) if my son is still there!

Some random thoughts & ideas.......


Consider communicating with Kenneth Howes ( I trust he is still with us ) & any surving members of the original design and road test team.

It would have been good to seek Raymond Baxters involvement although as you all know his Rootes connection was more to do with Sunbeam Talbot Alpine is no longer with us. Sadly too late.

Maybe start the drive to Cannes from Coventry.
Via Bournemouth ( Hartwells dealer and tuning dept. ) - Hove ( home of Harringtons ) Any other relevant locations en-Roote in UK and abroad.
Alpine roads in Switzerland/Italy?

Possible to hairpin and other sections as featured in launch film.

Show launch and other Rootes archive films as part of social evenings.

Harrington family.

Usual media support radio/TV/Mags.

Sponsorship from the many suppliers who have supported Alpine owners over the years One for about 4O+ years I reckon.

En-route breakdown assistance by the many garages specialising in Alpines.

Obvious this one - link up with European Alpinists & their sponsors.

Link celebration to a charity - thus creating an outward looking feel-good factor to attract interest and respect from a wider audience not just car enthusiasts. Motor industry charity? Charity linked to road accidents?

Commemorative regalia - sponsored.

Start run from 2009 National venue.


Hope the above contributes to the melting pot of ideas.

Put my name down for the Cannes trip with Barbara of course.
Like the idea of publicity, maybe start the run at your nearest ex-Rootes
Dealer.

Barry A

ALPINE ROOTES
ALPINES FIND THEIR ROOTES

Having read the latest Horn with it's mention of this event I continue to ponder...

1. I'm sure the last time I drove past Hartwells in Bournemouth the original showroom had been demolished.
Ray Payne the tuning whizzo who ran Hartwell Tuning & also worked for Tommy Sopwith, is unlikley to be still with us.


2. At the penultimate Goodwood Revival Meeting he attended, I did a radio interview with Raymond Baxter, reviewing his varied life both in the air, behind the wheel and in the TV studio. You can be sure the Rootes connection was covered. I have the interview on CD which might make interesting listening at this event or the 2008 National.

3. Do we have a 'French Connection' in Cannes to establish if the original Rootes dealership showroom still exists? In June 1959, whilst my father was having an exhaust fitted to his Minx, there was a Series 1 Moonstone with hardtop sitting in a backstreet workshop. I assumed the showroom was nearby.

4. Bearing in mind the modest number of members the UK club has to be realistic regarding the number willing and able to attend. Mileage, reliability & costs the obvious factors. Thus one is reliant on the level of enthusiastic European support, such as witnessed at the Nationals.

Phew the response to this subject is overwhelming. Hundreds of replies, postings and ideas, it really IS going to be a fabulous event - er not.

Maybe there is much planning going on behind the scenes and Alpinists are not so into club websites to discuss such matters.

Please prove me wrong & that my assumptions are misplaced.

Hi Bill

I agree that the response on the forum has been disappointing. However we have been discussing how we should achieve our aim of a gathering in Cannes & it has been suggested that different people may like to journey down in different ways maybe travelling quickly over just a few days or on in a more relaxed manor over a week or so in a group which may appeal to those not so familiar with driving their Alpine on the continent.

What has been drawn to our attention is that it is not so much how we get there but what we do when we arrive in Cannes. To these ends we are planning to put together an organising sub committee for this event to help come up with some good ideas and organise the event in Cannes.

We already have a couple of volunteers for this, would you like to offer your services too? if so let me know as we are trying to set up a meeting in February.

Steve