1908 Vulcan Roi des Belges Tourer

A magnificent. large and imposing Edwardian. standing 7' tall with the roof up. but when the hood is lowered. the top half of the windscreen folds. giving the car a totally different. much lower. less formal appearance. The four cylinder engine is apparently just under 4 litres in capacity. although there is some suggestion that it may be the larger 'racing' version of 4680cc. The car was originally delivered to Australia in 1908. the first owner apparently keeping it for at least ten years. probably more. The car remained in Australia until 1989. returning to the UK in that year. In lovely condition throughout. re-sprayed. re-upholstered and fitted with a new hood a few years ago. has participated in several VCC events in recent times. obviously loved and cared-for. running well. and complete with VCC dating certificate. as well as various other papers. etc. confirming the car's identity.

Chassis No. 526 Reg. No. SV 4343 £75. 00.

Snippets:
The first owner was Frederick Dodds a wholesale butcher of Mayfield. a suburb of Newcastle. NSW. In 1947 The Vulcan took part in the 150th celebration of the discovery of coal in the vicinity of Newcastle which led to its settlement. The coal was discovered by a small party of survivors of the “Sydney Cove” which had gone aground in February 1797. the crew of 17 landed on Preservation Island and set out in their small craft when it was driven ashore on the Victoria Coast & they set out on foot to Port Jackson. Enroute 14 perished & the surviving 3 were rescued by fisherman near Wattamolla. one of the survivors W. Clarke told Governor Hunter that the day prior to their rescue he had found coal on the coast which was later investigated by Surgeon George Bass of the Reliance who confirmed the report. During the late 1940s / mid 1960s the car was with John McLean of Sydney - John was an enthusiast who in April 1954 alongside 14 other veteran cars (including 1901 Oldsmobile. 1908 Le Zebre. 1908 Hupmobile. 1912 Detroit Electric & a 1914 Hurnberette) this was the founding event for what is now called the Veteran Car Club of Australia. By the mid 1960s the Vulcan had been purchased by George Gilltrap for display in his auto-museum and to be driven by his daughter Robyn Gilltrap on rallies including the 1970 International Veteran & Vintage Car Rally which had over 400 entrants! The Vulcan remained in the Gilltrap Museum until the entire collection was auctioned in 1989 when it was purchased by a British buyer.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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