Welcome to the stately setting of Madresfield Court in the shadow of the majestic Malvern Hills. VSCC members have been competing in Driving Tests here for over 60 years, and long may it continue...

This may not be the VSCC’s largest Driving Tests event of the year, but it’s unquestionably one of the most enjoyable, at a most spectacular venue, and this year was blessed with warm Indian summer weather and a stunning array of rare and interestingly vintage cars. Welcome to the stately setting of Madresfield Court in the shadow of the majestic Malvern Hills. VSCC members have been competing in Driving Tests here for over 60 years, and long may it continue.

The five tests take place on the Court’s driveway, and all represent a discipline of skill and agility, without necessarily huge speed, that is apart from Test 5 that does incorporate accelerating from a standing start to a Flying Finish followed by a complete stop. Some of the oldest cars entered for the competition included Adam Duffin’s 1912 Morgan Runabout Deluxe, the oldest roadworthy example of the marque, Neil Murray’s 1904 De Dion Bouton, Mark Longmore’s 1914 Crescent Cyclecar, and Roy Adnams’ 1914 Humber Humberette.

Rare and interesting cars included  Susan Hill’s unique 1929 Crouch Helix, similarly unique  was John Sawyer’s 1928 Yorkshire built Bond Sports (ordered new by Sir Malcolm Campbell)  and Richard Bradshaw’s 1922 Belsize Bradshaw, designed by his great uncle Granville Bradshaw. If there had been award for the most endearing and prettiest car, then a very strong contender would have been David and June Boyd’s 1925 Citroen 5CB Cloverleaf and appropriately called “Miss Buttercup” resplendent in yellow and black! David has restored the car over the last year to perfection. It was rescued from a barn in Hertfordshire where it had sat for 46 years! The original owner was Major Stevenson, whose uncle was Robert Louis Stevenson of Treasure Island fame. The Citroen has  covered a mere 13,000 miles from new!

Around 60 cars had entered the Driving Tests that covered classes: Standard Sports Cars, Standard Touring, Saloon & Light Cars, Modified & Special Cars and Veteran & Edwardian Cars. Tony Wood’s 1935 MG PA Special, powered by a 1496cc Riley engine and supercharger has been nine years in its build and this year is its first time out and is still being shaken down. Following hillclimbs at Prescott, Wiscombe Park and Shelsley Walsh, the Driving Tests were by far the most undemanding for the MG so far this year!