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Back – The Williams of Norwood It seems that many knew that the vast Gobron Brillie owned by Cud Freeman was found at Sydenham Road Norwood.
We also knew that Member Peter Mussared bought a veteran Talbot from Williams at Norwood, which he chose as he could not afford a Vauxhall that was there also. In fact the body on the Talbot came from the Vauxhall, which was also without a radiator and had a sheared oil pump drive (that fiendish bilge pump that passed for an oil supply in Vauxhall to the 1920’s). It was said to be a Prince Henry, but with no radiator who could tell? The body, most unlike a Prince Henry, was later returned to the Vauxhall following the demise of the Talbot, and is shown below. Peter drove the 1909 Talbot 4DB in the 1949 event.
Perusing early rally programmes from George Brooks, it became clear that Williams were responsible for even more.
For instance, in the 1940 event R.F. Williams entered and drove the 3 cylinder Panhard, and also entered the twin cylinder Speedwell driven by A.R. Williams. The Speedwell ran in the 1934 rally, and the Panhard in that of 27 March 1936.
The 1935 event was held on 30 March, and the Hotchkiss described elsewhere was entered by Don Stuart. R.F.W. also entered a 1912 De Dion Bouton V8. Incidentally, Arthur Mullins, who was at our inaugural meeting on 30 June 2006, drove his Model T Ford in the 1940 event, and the 1906 Rover now owned by Member David Radloff was owned and entered by A.Brown, the scrap metal dealer. That was the last ‘pre war’ event, the next being held in 1947. By then, Jim Freeman owned the Panhard, which was driven by Tom Atkinson, Des Carter owned the Speedwell, and the V8 De Dion disappeared to Queensland. Who were the Williams? Peter Mussared just last year was on the case. He spoke to Brenda, A.R. (Art) Williams’ sister, who now lives in Sydney. Her Father, Reg. Williams ran a garage in Sydenham Road Norwood, and lived in Sydenham Villa, 110 Sydenham Road. His Brother Norm and wife Nell lived around the corner in Rosemount Street. Peter Mussared's Talbot came from Norm, who also had a 35 h.p.’T’ head Talbot, bought in about 1955 by Laurie Vinall, then passed on to Ian Birrell, and the Vauxhall, which went to Maurice Read of Bute (who also owned the A type Vauxhall later bought by Eric Rainsford) then Max Wurst. Max and his brother also had the remains of their grandfather’s Prince Henry, and it is unclear just what bits were from which car. The Vauxhall was just recently sold to Victoria following Max’s demise.
The 35 horse Talbot was without its body, which Ian later recovered near Sedan. The chassis was rebuilt and the car finally sold to Ballarat. Art. Williams continued to run the Norwood Motor Works for some years, and Member David Bishop, while working with H.C.Sleigh, called on him to as a customer. Some may remember the two Golden Fleece pumps on the footpath in Sydenham Road.
How did all of those cars come to be with the Williams? There is a suggestion that some came from Terry’s Driving School (refer Brooks' Books), some may have been trade-ins, and some may have been collected because of the Williams’ interest in motor vehicles. Member Bob and Marion Eglinton knew Art, and his wife Olga. Their understanding is that R.W. serviced many of these cars during their working life, and when outdated, was able to buy them. Bob remembers the remains a Star also lurking there. However they came together, we are glad they did. Thank you, Messes Williams. And there are none left – we have looked! Terry Parker |
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