A Chance Encounter
Grant Young & Claude Kearley • November 14, 2024
It was such a coincidence to become reacquainted with the same car I had been offered all those years ago.
We are now winding the clock back to the mid to late 1960s. At the time Condor Cycles were sponsoring
and supplying bikes to what was to become the Condor Mackeson Team. The shop number 90 Grays Inn Rd was always busy not with customers but with riders relating as to how they had, or not, won at the weekend. One rider in particular,
being Italian, would only ride a Colnago and his name was Leo Cura. He had a cafe off Pall Mall and
would participate in local road races. He wasn't interested in where he finished, he just enjoyed the
spectacle.
In the off season we would meet up at his house in Acton and do a 2.5 hour ride. Another Italian, always
very tanned, would join us. This was George Beretta
who lived in Neasden and before he drove a black cab for a
Living he had a small specialist importer of cycle components importer called Beretta & Penny
He always wore a World Championship racing cap with the bands with 'Il campionissimo' written on it. On one of our rides he said he owned a convertible American car, a 1960 Buick Invicta that he would like to sell and I would be interested as I had just passed my driving test. I could have it for £600.
He gave me a couple of photographs and from this I could see the vehicle was huge! The car was white at
the time and due to its inactivity mildew was more evident than paint. I have only recently disposed of
those photos as I knew that George had died and that the car must have been sold many years prior to his
death.
However, walking amongst the stands at the 2024 Classic Car Motor Show at the NEC with Grant, where
380 clubs were exhibiting and stretching across 6 halls I came across a 1960 Buick Invicta. I immediately
said that I am sure this is George's old car even though it is in Peppermint Green and no longer white. A quick
look at the number plate and I was now even more positive. Subsequently a chat with the owner
confirmed that it was the very same car which he had purchased from the family in 2017. The owner is
Colin Shepherd and he spent 5 years restoring it before returning it to the road in 2022. In fact all
the owner's hard work has paid off as it won 'Classic American Car Magazine Car of the Year 2024.
It was such a coincidence to become reacquainted with the same car I had been offered all those years
ago.
The May Flyer Double 100 (also known as the SWRC May Flyer) is a long-standing cycling sportive in the UK. It is organised by the South Western Road Club (SWRC) and has been running for over 25 years. The "Double 100" refers to the event's signature offering of two distinct route options for participants: The Flyer: A 100-kilometre (approx. 62-mile) route that meanders through the North Downs and Surrey Hills. The Flyer Challenge: A 100-mile (approx. 162-kilometre) route that crosses the North Downs into West Sussex and back. Event Details Next Event Date: Sunday, 17th May 2026. Start/Finish Location: Cobham Village Hall, Surrey. Terrain: Scenic but challenging, featuring notable climbs like Staple Lane, Pitch Hill, and Combe Bottom. Entry: Limited to 500 riders, with registration typically available through platforms like SiEntries. Charity: All profits from the event are donated to local charities. https://www.swrc.org.uk/may-flyer/about-the-may-flyer
Is Progress Progress?
Ray Kelly R.I.P. Honoured by British Cycling
