PLACES TO GO
Unique cars, a homage to Donald Campbell – and a karting track, too
Cars (and boats) at Filching Manor
what could be more British than a car museum based at a traditional old manor house, with rare and even unique cars in outbuildings and chicken sheds?
The first introduction to Filching Manor is a gravel car park fronting a 15th Century manor house. Paul Foulkes-Halbard, the previous owner, used to claim that the front door was the UK’s oldest domestic door in continuous use and it leads to a simple interior, packed with books and automobilia.
Outside is an old farm building, called The Campbell Hall, housing a jaw-dropping collection, mainly celebrating Sir Malcolm, Donald Campbell and his long-serving mechanic Leo Villa, a personal friend of Paul Foulkes-Halbard. There are sets of overalls, trophies, paintings and all manner of artefacts. Cars, too. A red 1935 Ford singleseater in the centre of the hall was given by Henry Ford to Sir Malcolm, who passed it
Clockwise from top left Medieval Filching Manor dates from 1450; Bugattis are a favoured marque of the Foulkes-Halbard family; they press this 1904 Mercedes into regular use; Gina Campbell’s speed record boat; one ’33 Vale Special of two – DKW Streamline bike fairing in background. on to Leo Villa. Next to it is a 1926 Amilcar, one of the Brooklands team cars. At the other end, by an interesting collection of motorcycles, is a four-seater 1933 Vale Special, said to be one of only two built.
Easy to overlook is what is claimed to be the world’s first rotary engine, produced in 1895. Further up the hill are the old chicken sheds. Parked in the doorway of one is the 1904 Mercedes that Paul and now Karl, his son, drive around like an everyday family car, to the delight of the locals. Behind it is an 1898 Bergmann Orient Express Type Six, a regular entrant on the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, alongside a couple of Bugattis, a favoured marque of the family.
Next is something that cannot be seen anywhere else: the unique Alesso. This oneoff Argentinian Formula Libre monoposto was designed by Don Juan Ovidio Alesso in the 1940s, hoping that drivers such as Fangio and González would drive it. The engine is interesting, being a flat-12 of some 7054cc, fitted with twin overhead camshafts, dual ignition, dry-sump lubrication and six carburettors. Alas, the great hopes did not materialise.
The Alesso was brought to England by Paul Foulkes-Halbard, who’d wanted to get it running before his untimely death in 2003. His son, Karl, is now custodian of these things, though his real love is Bluebird K3. Karl has restored it to the point where he has piloted it on a Kent reservoir, with a view to returning to Lake Maggiore in the future.
Nearby is Gina Campbell’s Women’s Water Speed Record boat (pictured below), along with an intriguing 1930 Peugeot 201X/ Bugatti Type 48, a joint project of which this is thought to be the only survivor, a 1907 Corbin 40hp racer, a 1916 Marmon (again, said to be the oldest survivor), and plenty of other cars and mechanical pieces, including a 1932 Rolls-Royce R-type racing aviation engine in working order. Brilliant!
Filching Manor is a great place for a motor club visit (minimum of six) – especially as there is a very good karting track available.
Filching Manor Motor Museum is at Wannock, East Sussex BN26 5QA; visits by appointment only. Admission: £7.50. Email foulkeshalbard@aol.com, tel: +44 (0)1323 487124, www.campbellcircuit.co.uk.