factory, after his grandfather Edgar’s demise. These
being the infamous Spag-duction system (made
from modified personal electric fans produced by
the factory) to compete with the Kompressor BMW,
Spag-draulic suspension which incorporated
methane filled condoms and recycled fish and chip
oil, and the little-known Spag-bag-warmer which
circulated engine oil through the right leather
saddle bag which incorporated a special pouch
which kept a flask of tea hot for those long
journeys. The original version also had a pie
warming section but was discontinued after testing,
due to the pies acquiring a strange “Corse 50”
flavour. Castrol even produced a special oil for
Spagforth which would allow the saddle bag to be
fitted with a chip basket allowing deep frying of fish
and chips. This version was also flagged when the
test bike was dropped and the rider suffered third
degree burns to his scrotum.Franc Trost
Laidley, Qld.I am afraid Mr Jessop-Laywell has been misled by
his family, as Edgar Jessop is far from ‘demised”.
At last account, he was living in New York and
has recently announced his intention to contest
the 2020 US Presidential election as the nominee
for the Repulsive Party. - EdPat’s Venom
Seeing the pictureof the late and great Pat
Wise (OBA 71, Norton 88) brought back happy
memories. In the late ‘fifties I bought a Velocette
Venom Clubman from Geoff Monty & Dudley Ward,
famous racers and tuners, and was told that it was
raced by Pat Wise who was well known for her
exploits with Eric Oliver in that chair. Her old details
were on the logbook as a previous owner – also Eric
Oliver’s – so I got in touch with her and she invited
me around to her and husband Les’ for a chat. OnLETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Daredevil Debbo
Classic Cob(OBA 71)made mention of the
hydroplane racing on the Georges River, at
Deepwater Park, Milperra, Sydney, which brought
back memories of when I used to attend with my
brother-in-law when he raced in the smaller classes
in the early ‘sixties. The fifty cubic inch class were
usually powered by Triumph or Norton motorcycle
engines (did you ever wonder where all those
engines went from the Featherbed frames?).
However the Unlimited class boats were just
awesome. The most stunning was Ernie Nunn’s
Wasp II which was powered by a Rolls Royce Merlin,
ex-Spitfire engine. Others were 351 Fords or 350
Chevs, a few people imported engines from Ferrari
or Maserati. It was here I met Eric Debenham who
was one of the top competitors with his boat
powered by a D Type Jaguar engine. They were
incredible to watch; they would raise up on their
sponsons and have only three points contacting the
water, and in those days there were no restrictions
on the exhaust so the sound added to the spectacle.
When we’d arrive we’d hear this raucous laugh some
distance away and say “Debbo’s here”.Mark Dodds
Stanwell Tops NSW.Reports of Edgar’s
demise are premature
During his appearanceon “Who do you think
you are”, Rudolf Jessop-Laywell ponders the site of
what he now knows to be his father’s “conception
place”. Rudolf, a well known test pilot for his family
company (Jessop-Laywell Mile High Aviation) still
rides the motorcycle that his father modified with
parts procured from the now defunct SpagforthEach issue, we’re giving
away a pair of tough,
stylish Draggin’ Jeans,
valued at $249, for the
Best Letter contribution.
Don’t forget to include your name
and address in case you’re selected.
And why not have a look at the
latest fashion range from the
Draggin’ Jeans website at
http://www.dragginjeans.netWrite a winner!
Eric Debenham in his Jaguar-powered boat.
The engine is fitted backwards.Rudolf Jessop-Laywell scans
the countryside near Bathurst
for ancestral remains.