The collection contains papers and memorabilia relating to Percy Lambert's life and racing career. It constitutes mainly newspaper clippings, as well as complete journals from the motor trade, correspondence, promotional material (for Talbot and Brooklands) and notes. Much of the material relates to Percy Lambert's death at Brooklands on 31st October 1913, during a record breaking attempt.
Percy Lambert collection
Archive Collection
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- Bookmark:http://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/data/gb307-lam
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- ReferenceGB 307 LAM
- Dates of Creation1911-1921
- Name of Creator
- Language of MaterialEnglish
- Physical Description2 boxes
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Percy Lambert (1881-1913), who earned the nickname 'Pearley' while at school on account of his glistening white teeth and who carried this name forward into his racing career by giving his cars the same name, was one of the most famous racing drivers during his lifetime. Lambert drove a variety of vehicles, including Austins, Vauxhalls, and Talbots. He was the first man to drive at over 100mph, a feat he achieved at Brooklands on 15th February 1913 driving his 4.5 litre 'side valve' (25hp) Talbot over 103 miles in 60 minutes, under the patronage of the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot (the chairman of the Clement-Talbot company). His brother, Harold Charles Lambert, was also involved in motor racing, and was there with Percy on what was to be his last attempt at record breaking on 21st October 1913. During this record attempt a rear tyre burst on Percy's Talbot and the vehicle crashed, rolling over down the hill at the Brooklands race track. Percy fractured his skull and was almost certainly killed instantaneously. Harold went on to found the Lambert Motor Company after World War I. Following Percy's death a memorial was proposed by a friend (Mr G. R. N. Minchin) in The Autocar Magazine.
Access Information
Open to researchers, by appointment. For further information, please see: nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/Motoring_research_service
Conditions Governing Use
Please apply to the Archivist if you would like to make any copy of the material.
Custodial History
Received by the Museum in two accessions; the first containing the scrap book of press cuttings relating to the death of Lambert from Percy's niece in 1984, and the second containing the remaining material along with Percy Lambert's racing silks in 1996 (please see http://www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/percy_lambert_silks).