Imagine, if you will, the 27-foot-long 1920's Golden Arrow record breaker being manoeuvred into position in London's latest exclusive private members' club. Imagine early-morning commuters doing a double-take at such a sight. Then imagine yourself as one of 250 guests including Lord Montagu of Beaulieu (owner of Britain's largest classic car collection) and Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, first man to have driven faster than the speed of sound. Steve Wakefield was one of the invitees and it is his Classic Drivers site to which we owe this information. Early-morning commuters were astonished at having to make room for the £15 million record-breaker at the Capital's latest exclusive private members' gathering place, the Segrave Club. The Golden Arrow was driven by Sir Henry Segrave at an average of 231.446 mph to break the world land-speed record in 1929. (Slightly faster than my arrival in the same year.)
The Segrave Club, just a stone's throw from Harrods in Knightsbridge, was once London's main Aston Martin showroom. More recently, it was branded Maybach/Mercedes, and in the 1920s was the workshop of Sir Henry Segrave- hence the name. Segrave Chief Executive Nick hancock said "it was truly amazing to have the Golden Arrow back in its old showroom here at Cheval Place and it was undoubtedly the star attraction of what was a fantastic evening. Lord Montagu has been extremely kind to lend us Sir Henry's most famous car out of the stunning collection at the National Motor Museum, and to have Andy Green as our guest of honour was rather fitting. It is astonishing to think that, over 80 years ago, Sir Henry Segrave became a global hero for driving at over 200 mph." Joining the club will get you a track-based opportunity to drive the performance cars in the club's own fleet.