Last updated 14:08, Monday, 05 May 2008

I WRITE regarding your article of Cumberland motoring history regarding the 1902 Peugeot numbered AO 1 (News & Star, April 4).

Classic: Mr Gowan Coulthard’s veteran Century car from 1904 with its AO registration plate

I also owned a veteran car – a 1904 Darracq numbered AO 69 which I acquired from Cumberland motoring pioneer Edwin Quirk of Keswick 40 years ago.

I was fortunate then to obtain a second veteran car and the Darracq passed to my good friend Ola J Borge in Norway. Regulations decreed that the number would have been lost with its move overseas, so I transferred it to my second car where it remains today on my 1904 veteran Century.

Being a Cumbrian I was anxious that the number remained here in the county and fortunately still able to participate on veteran car events including, for many years, the famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

R GOWAN COULTHARD
Past chairman, north west section Veteran Car Club
The Ghyll
Maryport