Edinburgh to London by lawnmower!

[trigger]

I thought a few of you might find this interesting, on Sunday i was past by this mower whilst at Felixstowe.

 

1959 Ransomes Matador 24" Mower Edinburgh To London by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

1959 Ransomes Matador 24" Mower Edinburgh To London by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

We had a bit of a laugh about it but I've just been doing some googling into it and found it to be quite an interesting story.

 

Back in 1959 5 students from Hatfield Technical College and apprentices from De Haviland Aircraft Co approached Ransomes lawnmowers here in Ipswich to see if they would help them to supply and modify an lawnmower capable of travelling the 400 miles from Edinburgh to London non-stop, Ransomes agreed and helped build this mower seen above.

 

It took 4 1/2 days to travel the 400 miles doing driving stints of 2 hours each travelling at 4mph all with out stopping.

 

There is more about it in this link http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/suffolk/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8259000/8259841.stm as well as a video on the story which i recommend watch, if only for the old cars in it!

[scooters]

GR9 4 DRIFTIN O)N LORNZ

 

 

we should send them honourary membership!

[nigel bickle]

Scooter- maybe they can give you a Ttow back (private joke -till he chooses to divulge his latest madness)

[autofive]

strange story - I like the 1959 film clips, loads of shitters on the roads