This month Lewis from Takona takes us along for the Douze Coupes Cruise. The annual charity drive that brings together people from all walks of life to both raise money, and remember the man that brought us together through cars.
The annual charity drive that brings together people from all walks of life to both raise money, and remember the man that brought us together through cars.
Every year we take part in a charity drive down to Goodwood with our west London “family”, a group of amazing people who have become the closest of friends, all through our love of cars. My entrance into this group was back in 2020 when a small gathering (post lockdown) met at Tamp Coffee in Chiswick for coffee, cake, and cars.
Since then the group have gone on to start the Southside Hustle at Wimbledon Common, as Chiswick is now all pedestrianised, meeting once a month for the same reasons as before.
The ring leader of this gathering was our friend Charles Evans, who we sadly lost in 2021, along with his best friend Jamie Wheatley. In starting the hustle Charles has been responsible for an eclectic group of people coming together, a group which spreads far and wide, with people coming together from across the country.
Amongst the many things Charles did in his time, he created a drive from Wimbledon down to Goodwood Motor Circuit in order to raise money for Anthony Nolan charity who had helped a young man named Louie Martin find a stem cell donor when he needed one for his cancer treatment. Louie tells his story on the Takona Tlks Podcast (episode 9) for anyone who’s interested to learn about his journey as a 17 year old getting a positive diagnosis, to being accepted into the Mercedes F1 apprenticeship.
This drive started as “Louie rides again” to celebrate Louie’s beating cancer, and to raise money for Anthony Nolan. Since losing Charles Louie and Jamie have picked up the mantle, and with support from the group, continued this annual pilgrimage, now dubbed the Douze Coupes Cruise.
Southside Hustle
The day starts with the gathering at Wimbledon Southside Common, the meeting point of the Southside hustle. This years turnout is incredibly busy, even for a meet that often overruns the roads and surrounding areas. A plethora of cars from classic Fiat 500’s to the mighty Jaguar Project 8, and everything inbetween, have packed the streets ready to head to Goodwood.
Event proceedings are explained by Jamie, whilst standing on Charles Alfa Giulietta dubbed “the rat”, for those that haven’t been before or need a reminder: “We’re off to Goodwood via Petworth, a handy sat-nav waypoint to keep us in some sort of group. A fresh reminder that the just giving page exists and that (given the number of Ferraris) most should be able to chuck in a few quid for the cause.”
We’ll be heading along both motorways and country lanes, with good behaviour being re-emphasised several times, and a reminder that this is to be enjoyed, and to continue Charles legacy. We don’t want the good work to be tainted by some silly driving causing trouble.
The Douze Coupes Cruise
The gathering heads out at 8:30 sharp (ish) aiming to miss any Sunday morning traffic. A wave of cars then meanders down the A3, with photos being taken, videos being recorded (all by passengers, of course), and the spectacle of these cars together being enjoyed by both those in the group and those who happen to see it pass by.
From the newly brown painted Testarossa of Merlin McCormack aka The Duke of London, to the Classic Car Company’s Fiat 500 van, every car was being enjoyed and appreciated, with people using the quiet roads to really get the most of the drive. There’s something to be said about the specific kind of enjoyment you get from being on the road with a group of other people who share your passion for cars, when done properly (like adults) there’s a combined sense of camaraderie.
There are those who do this wrong, with groups often devolving into rolling road blocks attempting to see who has the faster car, dangerously weaving around traffic, and generally being utter morons. These morons miss the point, they’re not enjoying the moment and the time spent around friends enjoying the spectacle of a group travelling in the same direction. They get caught up in their own egos and ruin it, not only for themselves, but for everyone else.
Breakfast at Goodwood
Upon arrival at Goodwood it’s clear that more cars have joined than anticipated (we picked up a purple Countach and a 1912 Rolls Royce along the way) filling the three paddocks at the circuit and spilling out into other areas where parking is possible. A very excited but worried Louie saying “we told goodwood maybe 130 cars, I hope they don’t shout at us”.
There is an air of excitement around the paddocks as people begin to take in the volume and variety of cars that have made the effort to take part in the day, everyone taking a moment or two to appreciate the reach that Charles had, with all of us connected because of him in some way. A community that reaches far and wide, coming together for a good cause, linked by the same person.
After a bacon sandwich and a cup of coffee (the queue reaching 45 minutes long, you’re welcome Goodwood) everyone gathered for the final part of the morning, the auction.
The Auction
The charity auction is conducted from atop the 1912 Rolls Silver Ghost of Katie Forest (a car which is often seen adventuring around the country and into europe), with Jamie and Louie acting as the displayers of the various items that have been donated.
The auction included some magnificent items this year, with the likes of The Road Rat and Jonny Ambrose adding artworks to the mix. An Alfa Romeo 8C leather jacket being beautifully modelled by the young Jensen (owner of the gorgeous orange Saab) and bringing the group into a roar of laughter upon the winning bid being Kate, Charles’ wife, who then requested a big hug from the “model”.
Amidst all of the joy and the laughter, there were often reminders of where this all started and the amazing guy who brought all these people together. Creating a big family that reaches far and wide, creating a space where everyone is welcome to join, and no one is judged for being who they are.
Charles Evans, we miss you, and we are so grateful for everything that you did.
If you’d like to support the cause you can do so by donating to the Just Giving Page here. The Douze coupes cruise t-shirts adorned in a few of these photos are also available on the Takona site here, with £10 from every one sold going to the just giving pot.
