Roaring into the desert: the inaugural Arizona Pre-War Rally

The Arizona sun rose golden over the open road, casting long shadows across a lineup of legends. It was the inaugural Arizona Pre-War Rally, and the field was nothing short of extraordinary—chrome gleamed, leather straps were buckled tight, and the unmistakeable scent of oil and history hung in the air.

 

Ronnie Collins leaned casually against Bill Pope’s stunning Bugatti Type 55, the car’s sweeping curves a perfect frame for a man clearly at home among pre-war cars. Behind them, the event was alive with the throaty rumble of engines that once ruled Brooklands and Bonneville alike.

 

Three Lagondas graced the field—two elegant V12s and a burly six-cylinder, exuding British engineering at its finest. The Bentleys came out strong: a pack of 4½-Litres with their classic growl, joined by a stately Six-Litre that looked as ready for Le Mans as it did for the dusty ribbon of Arizona asphalt.

 

The Americans weren’t left out either. A handsome Lincoln-Zephyr V12 added streamlined flair, its Art Déco lines turning heads at every stop. And a rakish sports Jaguar brought the feline grace that rounded out a grid as diverse as it was distinguished.

 

The day ran smoothly, the camaraderie real and the route unforgettable—until the unexpected happened. The six-cylinder Lagonda’s gearbox seized without warning. In a dramatic (if not slightly heroic) finale, the car locked up and laid down what must’ve been 10,000 miles of rubber in just 50 yards. A moment of mechanical heartbreak, yes—but also a spectacle worthy of motorsport lore.

 

Thanks to the tireless efforts of Richard Mattie and company, the event was a roaring success. Plans for next year are already underway—with a bit of luck and a fresh gearbox, of course.

 

Photos and text by Joe Moch