So there I was, working the CM stand all weekend at Beaulieu Autojumble, whilst in the back of my mind I was dreaming of finding a Peerless Phase 1 'P' grille, bonnet and boot badges. Perhaps even a brochure or unseen photograph. Alas no, for the Peerless faithful had no doubt been there before me. Erik came over to our stand and he too went home without Peerless bounty. Is that still true Erik? I hope you found something.
It's quite incredible to me that PW can be totally absent from an event such as Beaulieu. I asked many traders. Most shrugged shoulders, others said they knew the cars but had never seen or sold anything relevant to them.
As if we didn't know already, we're custodians of one of the most elusive (and enigmatic) British sports cars of the last 50 years. Puts a warm glow inside you doesn't it. Makes you really want to get your car ready for Le Mans 2008 doesn't it? It does me
The number of things that you can't get for a Peerless (or a Warwick for that matter) can be numbered pretty much on the fingers of one hand. er.... Grille, rear window, window winders, Steering Wheel, door handles, and badges. None of these will stop you getting a car on the road, or going to the 2008 bash. And if you had a badge on it some low-life would nick it!
The things that you CAN get for a Peerless is a pretty impressive list for a 50 year old limited production car. Like chassis, body, windscreen, and ALL the electrics including the loom. You can rob a rusty TR for most everything else, there's no shortage of donors. The interior is not complicated to do, Woolies stock the materials including all the rubber sections. To be honest, even the bits that are a touch specialised, like handbrake cables, there are specialists around if you are not up to a bit of fabrication, or have a surplus of drinking vouchers.
I'm a bit amused that the Peerless only makes 2 stars in the "spares availability" section of the magazine, it's streets ahead of most classics, and a good few moderns as well.
If there's anything you do need, one of us will know, these web pages are a good place to start.
So when are we going to see some pictures of yours?
Don't worry Frank, this Peerless fan's not giving up. I've waited too long to own one to desert the cause.
It was more an observation about awareness amongst a wider public. At Beaulieu you can buy1966 Le Mans exhaust fumes in a bottle but no eau de P/W. It's not to be sniffed at you know.
P/Ws need positive PR and I see myself as being in a position to do that. And boy will I. The P word already induces rolling eyes towards the ceiling in the office. They're just jealous.
I agree with your spares availability comment and will revise the listing in the light of the chassis and body panel availability. Many thanks for pointing out that which is sat under my nose. All the people who have allowed the spares that are available to exist have my unreserved support and admiration. I hope to give them all equal billing in future issues of CM, starting with the feature in next month's issue.
My own car is as I collected it months ago, but the phoenix will rise. I've quite happily stuck my editorial neck out with it and will continue to do so. I hope to get photos posted up soon.
It's words of encouragement such as yours that will help get as many of our cars possible to Le Mans 2008. I'm making enquiries about the currently non-available items and hope I can pull some strings in that department.
Well done you two, not so much for telling the tale about the spares ,which is admirable ( especially as we do the bodies !!? ) But also for mentioning getting to Le Mans 2008. How many Peerlesses to either event ? Would it be posible to have a Peerless/Warwick collection at the Classic that we could possibly persuade the powers that be to position up the top near the plateaus ? It's only a thought and I know its' a long way off but we ought to be thinking/organising something as time will fly. Thing on't !
