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Edward 'Bugs' Mason (EM), the Doyen and Grand Old Man of Motoring in our country died on Monday 7th January, 2002 while at work at Lake House, compiling the popular Observer Motomag which he has been publishing for over forty years. As they say in the Army he "died with his boots on". His funeral took place at the Mount Lavinia cemetery amidst a large gathering of motoring personalities and friends.

EM was born on 26.11.1915 to a respected planting family in the Kegalle District. His primary and secondary education were at St. Anthony's College, Kandy and the final years were spent at St. Joseph's College, Colombo. During this period he represented his schools in cricket, soccer, athletics and cadeting. His interest in cars began with his father's three-wheeled Morgan W-289. During his life of 86 years he contributed immensely to transport and road safety in general and motoring and racing in particular, which is unlikely to be surpassed. His knowledge in these fields were colossal. He pioneered the organizing of hachery, elephant, boat races in the provinces and the Tour de Lanka cycle races.

After his stint in the army, EM began his racing activities and on 7.12.1947 entered his little 'Bug' Fiat Topolino CY - 3888 for the Circuit Meet organized by the Ceylon Motor Cycle Club at Ratmalana. In the first race there were three 'Bug' Fiats and Paddy Philips beat the others. EM confessed "it was my first experience in racing and cut me down to size". In the next event for cars under 1,000 cc. in his own words he had the cheek to enter the little Bug of 500 cc. against more powerful vehicles. He sprang a surprise leading the Renault, Morris and Standard and led to over a lap, but had bad luck missing the turn and losing valuable seconds in getting back to track. J. P. Obeysekera took the lead in the Renault followed by R. de Livera in the Morris and the 'Bug' finished third despite the detour. In the Monsoon Reliability Trials which commenced on 5.6.1948 from Torrington Square and covering 161 miles. EM entered his diminutive 'Bug' but no one was willing to be his navigator. Being a commercial traveller for a large foreign tyre company he knew the roads well and won the event, losing only four points with 36 competitors in the car class and 38 in the motor cycle class. It was his first win and earned the nickname of 'Bugs'. That was the beginning of a successful racing career winning all types of events.

Although books can be written about his motoring achievements and contributions to transport. EM's contributions to the veteran and vintage motor movement are significant. Soon after the second world war in the early 1950's, the normal modes of motor transport upto 1939 in the A to Z series were regarded as veteran and vintage vehicles. This initiated the first 'Old Crocks Rally' on 5.7.1953 organised by Lake House with the support of the Chairman Ranjit Wijewardene. The 'Trinity' who pioneered this Rally were W.R. 'Uncle Dan' Daniels, Captain 'Tabby' E. B. Murrell and Edward 'Bugs' Mason. Edward Mason flagged-off the first Old Crock. He has been a live-wire in all vintage rallies thereafter until his demise. The two were called the "Three Musketeers" at Lake House.

To cap his interest in vintage cars, EM acquired a beautiful Chrysler D-1723 in the early 1960's from an old planter Kenny in Bogawantalawa. While at Dunlops there was an inquiry for tyres, and on following up EM discovered the existence of this car. He related that the planter, while handing the keys of the car, was full of grief and tear drops fell on his arms when both shook hands. The car was in peak condition and EM reached Colombo in 4 hours. This car was then bought by Brian Jolly, Chairman of E. B. Creasy & Co. Ltd. and an active member of the Veteran Car Club of Ceylon, who took part in many rallies. Brian was very knowledgeable on vintage cars and owned some vehicles in England. The Chrysler was taken by him on his return to England. (It is said that EM sold the car after an accident, as the numbers in the registration added to 13 which was considered as "moosala").

The Veteran Car Club of Ceylon was formed in 1953 by Chitru Peiris. Edward Mason was an active member, and organized many rallies until the VCCC became inactive in 1987. The VCCC under the Presidency of Vere de Mel was instrumental in the introduction of the landmark legislation of banning the export of vehicles manufactured prior to 1.1.1945. During the Non-Aligned Conference in 1976, a motor museum was set up by Chitru and EM played a key role. The museum regretfully was closed soon afterwards, the need for which is fell very badly today.

Under dire circumstances to save the vintage vehicles the Vintage Car Owners Club (VCOC) was formed hurriedly in October 1987, when the VCCC failed to obtain any concessions from the Commissioner on impending drastic legislation. The VCOC came to the rescue by the Founder President M. M. Salih appealing to the Minister of Transport, EM gave his full support to the VCOC. This is the only club active in this field and EM was made the first Honorary Life Member in 1991. He has been the VCOC's Advisor, Guide and Philosopher, and participated actively in every VCOC event until his demise.

To honour the great motoring personality, the VCOC conducted the Edward Mason Felicitation Vintage Motor Rally '94 on 11.12.1994 under the Presidency of late Dushmantha. It was a treat to watch the Mason family and Dushmantha arriving at the Taj in the Rolls-Royce CY-2086 led by the Papare Band playing "for he's a jolly good fellow".

When the late M.M. Salih formed the VCOC in 1987, EM was an active member and our relationship grew stronger, as he felt that the 'crowd' at the VCOC were dedicated and sincere to the vintage movement. I can never forget the encouragement he gave me when the VCOC Newsletter was started in January 1992, after all he was a leading motoring journalist. His continuous flow of articles and other information, all hand written, were very welcome to kick-start the issues of the newsletter. This has been published once every two months without a break. At every AGM of the VCOC, EM was elected as the Pro-tem Chairman, and he would never fail to shower praises on me for the newsletter. There was always some sarcasm in the newsletters, and whenever EM met me he would chuckle and ask me as to whom I am targeting for attack next! When I was President of the VCOC, EM would contact me very often and discuss about the VCOC and other matters. Such was his dedication to the success of the vintage motor movement.

Sri Lanka has lost a valuable personality and we will all miss the affable, amiable, genial and lovable person.

EM's beloved wife Merlyn pre-deceased him in December 2000. The VCOC conveys its deepest sympathisers to Elaine, Jeffrey and Rodney.

May His Soul Rest in Peace.

(By Ali Azeez in the Vintage Car Owners' Club Newsletter)

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