The 289 Register News No 37 Autumn 2010 | Page 6

Origins of The 289 Register. By Frank Allen I ordered my Hawk 289 kit from Gerry in December, 1994 – Chassis No. 41 – and collected the body, chassis and hard top in January, 1995. I was off... I was on my way... to auto jumbles, scrap yards, car shows in various locations and of all shapes and sizes, and the small ads in all manner of car magazines. I made steady but slow progress with a few expensive mistakes. You might say “why not get it all from Gerry?” who undoubtedly has much wisdom to impart as well as a bin full of all the relevant bits and pieces but no, I wanted to do it the ‘hard’ way i.e. do the research and source the bits myself. It came to me that others may want to do it ‘my way’ and would happily discuss their experiences. The only problem was that I did not know where they were as no comprehensive list of owners was available. Having owned a Daimler SP250 for many years I was a member of the Daimler and Lanchester Owners’ Club, within which was the SP250 Register. I thought that the Cobra Replica Club might like to do something similar, or at least give over a page in “Snake Torque” to a 289 Register, so I wrote to the CRC requesting such. A frosty response was received with the suggestion that I might like to join the CRC - I thanked them for their reply. Undaunted, I asked Gerry for a list of all those who had purchased a 289 from him with a similar request being made of BRA. I also obtained a list of members from the CRC which identified 289 owners and sent out a questionnaire to all. I received a very encouraging response which confirmed my view that there were many others out there with similar views to mine. So good was the 6 THE 289 REGISTER response that due to pressure of work I considered I was unlikely to be able to give this project my full commitment. A Secretary was required and John Davies stood into the breach for two years with David Pilbeam taking over thereafter. I still have a copy of the responses received to my initial letter which from time to time make interesting reading. I suppose you could say that the 289 Register started “proper” when we held our first meeting in April, 1997 which was arranged by John and held at Kidlington Airfield in Oxfordshire. Minutes of our first AGM held at the time were taken and should be around somewhere. I think six 289’s attended although I arrived that day in my Citroen Zantia, my 289 yet to be tested and taxed. A good time was had by all with everybody expressing a desire for more. In October the same year, a fantastic turn out of sixteen cars enjoyed the second meeting of the 289 Register, again arranged by John, but this time at Old Warden in Cambridgeshire. Again another flying venue and well worth a visit. This time I was in my 289 – we were well on our way! To me a Register of members is a valuable asset to anyone building his own 289. The ‘jollies’ are a bit of a bonus too and the effort put in by all committee members should not be under-estimated and without whom there would be no 289 Register. My thanks to their continued dedication. Frank Allen