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JURASSIC CLASSIC
The 1997 Jurassic Classic Run Report.
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on the small pictures to view full size
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 Held on 29th June 1997, the first Marlin Cars Jurassic Classic
Car Run was formally flagged off by Marlin Cars' director Ms Terry Matthews at around 10.30 from Teignmouth sea front in brilliant sunshine.
Teignmouth - before the "off"
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25 cars - including four Marlin Hunters - made the run from Teignmouth through to Weymouth. The 1997 Marlin Cars Jurassic Classic Car Run was organised with assistance from Micheal Dalby of the Crash Box and Classic Car Club of
Devon.
Marlin Cars Ltd. also wish to thank Teignbridge District Council, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, and the police forces of Devon and Dorset for their assistance and cooperation. Thanks also to the Teignmouth News, Exeter Express & Echo, Western Daily Press and the Evening Echo for providing coverage of the event.
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A Marlin Hunter
leaving Teignmouth
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The field then spread out as navigators looked to their route cars, piloting their vehicles on out through Dawlish, Starcross through the pretty village of Cockwood with its stone walled harbour, and on to Powderham.
After passing Powderham Castle, the route took the cars round the outskirts of Exeter, before striking out towards Budleigh. Past Bicton Gardens - laid out in 1735 by Versailles' Andre de Notre - the cars made their way on through Otterton nearer to Sidmouth, decending the infamous Peak Hill before entering the town.
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This featured on the M.C.C.C. 1920 and 1930 "Exeter Trials", and still demands respect from drivers of HGVs today. After having negotiated Sidmouth's sea front, some confusion was experienced in that part of the route appeared blocked off by roadworks- in the event overyone managed to follow the alternative directions, though one intrepid participant did manage to use the road in question, and thus probably qualifies as the only participant to go through the ford marked on the route card!
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Once out of Sidmouth, the Jurassic Classic ground its way up Salcombe Hill Road, another M.C.C.C. "Trials" hill - remember, those intrepid inter-war pioneers had to ascend this at times 1 in 10 incline without the benefit of tarmacadam. Onwards to Seaton then, and a stop for lunch, before the field reformed - more or less - to tackle the second leg of the run over Raymonds Hill, bypassing Charmouth and Bridport, before returning to the coastline once more between Burton Bradstock and Abbotsbury. At Portesham, the route struck inland to detour around Hardy's Monument - of "Kiss me, Hardy" rather than Tess of the D'Urbervilles fame - for breathtaking views of Lyme bay from its elevated vantage point.
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Coming in to Weymouth via Upwey, the cars then made their way along the seafront towards the Pavilion Theatre and a welcome "cuppa and a bun". Most cars had covered the 85-odd miles including stops for lunch in under 5 hours, reaching the seaside resort at 3.15 pm or thereabouts. Whilst the drivers and passengers were inside, the general public had a chance to examine the assorted machinery on display in the roped-off car park.
Even the mayor and mayoress of Weymouth and Portland paid a visit, the mayoress being treated to a demonstration of the Hunter sports-tourer, with the mayor following close behind in a classic MGA. Everyone seemed to have had a good time - even the short spells of drizzle which punctuated the middle part of the day could not dampen the ardour of some of the occupants of the open cars - so we hope to see many of you again next year!
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Journey's end - Weymouth quayside
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CAR MAKE & MODEL
| Owner: |
From: |
| Triumph Herald, 1970 | Peter Hobson | Cullumpton |
| MGB Roadster, 1971 | Philip Hutchens | Crediton |
| Marlin Hunter, 1997 | Marlin Cars Ltd. | Crediton |
| Aston Martin AMV8, 1977 | Murray Hutchens | Bodmin |
| MGB GT, 1975 | Claire Lancaster | Exeter |
| MG Roadster, 1971 | Owen Jacobs | Exeter |
| Sunbeam Imp Sport, 1968 | Sheila Ellis | Burnham-on-Sea |
| Marlin Hunter, 1995 | Andy Gent | Plymouth |
Austin Seven
Box saloon, 1932 | Roger Greenwood | Sampford Peverell |
| VW Beetle, 1972 | Christine Hawkins | Cheriton Bishop |
Austin Healey
Sebring Sprite | Colin Lennox-Jones | Plympton |
| Vauxhall FB Victor Super, 1964 | G.R. Hawkins | Cheriton Bishop |
| Porsche 924 Lux, 1978 | Nigel Jarrett | Teignmouth |
| Triumph Spitfire Mk IV, 1974 | Richard Nunn | Crediton |
Sunbeam Alpine
Series 5, 1967 | Ann & Gordon Porter | Newton Abbot |
| Marlin Hunter, 1996 | Bob Simms | Sunbury-on-Thames |
| Marlin Hunter, 1996 | Iona Taylor | Fleet |
| Triumph TR4A, 1965 | David Warren | Bridgewater |
| Lotus Elan Sprint, 1972 | Adrian White | Newton Abbot |
| Vauxhall Carlton GSi3000, 1989 | Francis Samish | West Bexington |
| MGA, | Michael Dalby | Tiverton |
| Porsche Spyder RSK, | Brian Withers | Bridgewater |
| Triumph TR4A, 1965 | Brian Rockett | Datchet |
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