Lancia Motor Club

I’ve just posted an article from Andrew Cox about his Aprilia. If anyone has the time to read it and knows more of the history of this car he’d greatly appreciate any information.
Noel
http://web.me.com/noelmacwhirter/home/Stainless_Stephen.html

A foot forward and the return is a red letter day in my book also !!

David

Was definitely a red letter day, the engine sounded terrific, and she did move a little. Even better was she didn't demolish the garage, but Andrew's comment about the brakes and steering needing "minor fettling" I think is a fairly large understatementjavascript:void(0);
We will post updates in the future. I would be really great if anyone does have some knowledge about the history of the car and Stainless.
Noel

What a labour of love, let's hope Andrew gets it on the road before too much longer.

Brian
8227 8)

Jack Romano wrote an article about Stainless Stephens' Aprilia in Viva Lancia. I have had a quick look through my old copies but can't find it. Does anyone remember it?

Noel,

I can’t shed much light on Stainless Stephen but there are two names on the V5 document that are familiar.

The registered owner in 1961 was T Breen Ltd of High Road, Whetstone, London N20. This was Terry Breen who was the owner of a most amazing car breakers yard at that address. Terry specialised in, and was an authority on Lambdas and Bentleys – he was a well known source of parts and expertise. I guess the Aprilia was his personal car. The hallowed ground that was once Breen’s yard is now a M&S Supermarket!

A later owner was Cedric Bristow. Cedric is in the 2000 issue of the LMC Register of members with an address in Devon, which I can let you have if you want to follow this up. Cedric’s cars included Aprilia Sedan, ELY 380 and Aprilia Ghia Tourer FNV 19.

I remember Graham Baker from the mid 1960s, when he must have had a different Aprilia to the one you now have. Graham used to be a regular visitor to the monthly gatherings at The Chequers in Hendon, organised by John Maltby.

Sounds like you are doing nice things with nice cars.

Colin

Further to the above post that was sent this morning:

This afternoon I telephoned an old Aprilia colleague (who is non-Forum and non-LMC) to alert him to Noel’s website and the interest in Stainless’s car. I mentioned the name Cedric Bristow and to my delight was told that by chance Cedric had phoned my friend earlier this morning! The phone call was to share the excitement of hearing the sound (over the phone) of Tim Jewell’s Aprilia engine. Apparently Tim had just called by and was keen to show off his car to Cedric. And apparently Cedric still has an Aprilia of his own.

I just happen to think that is a magical association of shared values and enthusiasms that span nearly fifty years.

Colin

Colin,

Thanks for the terrific information, Andrew is on the forum here so he should follow up with you soon. I wonder if we can get some pictures of the car from back then? It does become a bit of a "Who Do You Think You Are" episode, but I love to trace the history and connections with things other than people as well.

By the way I'm still looking for stuff on my Aprilia if anyone knows anything?

Noel

Hi Noel
            I spoke at length to Cedric last night (I am back in the UK) and gave him Andrews contact details. He was delighted to hear news of his old car and has photos etc which I am sure he will want to share with Andrew.
           As Colin has said he now has another Aprilia which in fact was the one who,s engine burble was relayed down the phone line.
           He also has a tale about Stainless Stephen who was featured in a story in the press about the car some years ago and reported as being deceased.Cedric then had a phone call from SS indicating that he was still very much alive!! I guess it is pretty unlikely for that still to be the case however.
                                          Ben Courage

Here are a couple of old Aprilia pics, the first is one of Cedric (quite a few years ago) with an Aprilia (not sure if it was his or not) and another a little off subject but still interesting, of Harry Manning surrounded by Aprilias. Tim Jewell gave me these photos a few years ago.

These photos are from the Aprilia picnic in 2004. One of Ben's Aprilia and another of Cedric with Tim Jewell's Aprilia.
Photos by Tim Jewell.

I think I might have posted this one before, this is en-route to Venice, In the late ninties, of Noel's car when Anthony Dady owned it.

What a small world this is, and what an amazing network of kindred spirits to make all these connections!

The photos are great, particularly the period ones of Cedric and Harry – wonderful.

I talked with Anthony Dady at the Lambda event last weekend (Anthony has a Lambda) and guided him to Noel’s website – he was delighted to hear how well ‘his’ Aprilia is being looked after. But I doubt he will be able to tell anything more about its past than is known already.

Colin

A big thank you to all those who have contributed to this topic. I am obviously very keen to talk to anyone who knows anything of the car's history. Iwill give Ben a call when I return home after this weekend. Noel & I had the pleasure of catching up with Ben while he was in OZ over the past couple of weeks. Noel thinks Ben's grandson Jack has the makings of a Lancisti, Ben might have to make another trip out for a Castlemaine rally and bring Jack with him.  If any Aprilia owners think they might want to come to the next Castlemaine rally in October, please let us know and we will see what we can arrange for you.

Thanks again
Andrew

Great project.  Always nice to hear of another Aprilia brought back to life. How do I contact Grant Cowie for a full flow oil filter kit please?   NS 1692 would just love to have one.
Incidentally (The Asperger's is showing again)  -  "Lancisti" is plural.  The singular is "Lancisto" or Lancista"!
David

Hi David
            The kit is simply an insert to take the place of the original filter, and a double ended nipple which screws into the drain hole below the filter. I will need to have hoses made to suit. The insert and nipple are stamped "in " and "out". With luck there should be a photo attached, if not I will twist Noel's arm to post one. I did toy with the idea of fitting the top of the original filter to the conversion for asthetic reasons, hence this is included in the photo. Grant's Email address is grant@upcreek.com.au .Grant has also made patterns for the 2nd Series water pump housing , and has rebuilt pumps for Joe Wilson and Don Hume. Grant can also supply you with a reproduction rear end assembly for your W.O.Bentley if you require one.

I once sent out invitations to Australian Lancia Register members  to attend our annnual "Vincenzio's Birthday Dinner". I still cringe at the memory. Thanks for the grammatical correction, it might save me some pain in the future.

Cheers
Andrew

Here is the pic of the oil filter kit Andrew was trying to post.
Noel

Stuart can you put these in the Technical section please, otherwise they might get lost and someone looking for the information might not be able to find it, must admit though I do the same ::)

Brian
8227 8)

It seems that Stainless Stephens Aprilia wasn't his only means of transport.
Just came across this snippet of information in the latest issue of our village News :)
Just as well I'd read this thread otherwise the name wouldn't have meant anything to me ;D


Brian
8227 8)

The image of Arthur Clifford Baynes (aka Stainless Stephen) pedalling his tricycle while wearing his bowler hat, stainless steel vest, flashing buttons and revolving bowtie is quite an intriguing one. Cedric Bristow was very helpfull with information about the history of the car. Cedric has a letter and a photo from Arthur which tells much of the early history of SS 4067, and also a number of photos and anecdotes from his period of ownership. With a bit of luck we should be able to update Noel's website with a more complete history of the car very soon. I am heading off to Noel's place early tomorrow morning to spend the weekend fettling the car. I think Noel has posted a short video of my first test drive in the car, it was good fun!.

Cheers
Andrew