It is the only known remaining 1902 James and Browne automobile produced in London from 1898 to 1910.
Bo's first owner was the Spencer family, blacksmiths, of Shifnal in Shropshire.
Details of Bo's history is sparse before he was purchased by the students of City and Guilds Union (now the engineering faculity of Imperial College) in 1934.
Bo' was purchased from the proprietor of a travelling fair who used him as an attraction.
took part in many ‘Brighton runs’ during the early 1920s, until it was determined that he was too new to participate and banned. The London to Brighton event, sponsored by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain, is open to all motor vehicles (three wheels or more) built before January 1905.
Then came the ‘Biscuit Incident’ on 30 October 1924. Ramsay MacDonald was Prime Minister and the Rover was beyond repair. Bo’ was driven to Downing Street, emptied of petrol, and his gearboxes filled with gravel. A well-dressed, life size effigy with a biscuit in his hand was left in the passenger seat.
Why?
This was a protest against the recent knighthood of a leading biscuit manufacturer chairman, or perhaps the fact PM MacDonald had conveniently received a Rolls-Royce as a gift from the newly knighted biscuit company chairman, Lord MacFarlane. Apparently, the police had considerable difficulty moving Bo'. There is no proof but it is suspected that Guilds students knew they had proved their point and celebrated over several pints.
Now, ain't that a hoot?! Well, that was the first Bo, a Rover. This is the 2nd, but it was purchased to replace the 1st, so, what the hell, I'm not ignoring that story of govt corruption and epic prank protest which led to the purchase of this Bo'.
Being seven years older, the new Bo’ could again participate in the London-Brighton runs and, even better, he could reach greater speed: 23 mph.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/113141023827963430938/albums/6204499032234266977
https://www.union.ic.ac.uk/rcc/teambo/index.php?title=Main_Page
https://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/blog/mascots/2013/02/04/boanerges/
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