Alf Rogers
master brummie
Yes, Bob, you are quite right. Such a shame.And in your article you accurately sum up the demise of the British car industry
Yes, Bob, you are quite right. Such a shame.And in your article you accurately sum up the demise of the British car industry
Bob, and that is very sad but very true!And in your article you accurately sum up the demise of the British car industry
You mentioned, Richard, that you drove a Fiat Strada- just wondering, what were they like? Where they mechanically good? Do you remember the amazing advert on the telly when they launched the model, with the robots working to classical music?! I was tempted to test drive one as I liked the futuristic looks, but the wife didn't think much of it so I bought a Cortina and played it safe!Bob, and that is very sad but very true!
Alf, If I said that I had a Strads, I misspoke. I did have two friends that did. Mechanically they were OK until the new (about 2 years) wore off. In the US FIAT means "fix it again Tony". The other problem I recall is that they rusted badly particularly in the northern US states.You mentioned, Richard, that you drove a Fiat Strada- just wondering, what were they like? Where they mechanically good? Do you remember the amazing advert on the telly when they launched the model, with the robots working to classical music?! I was tempted to test drive one as I liked the futuristic looks, but the wife didn't think much of it so I bought a Cortina and played it safe!
And yes the front wheels did fall off or should I say the suspension collapsedi went for a test in one of theseView attachment 176621
they sure didAnd yes the front wheels did fall off or should I say the suspension collapsed
They were famed for it - as was the Marina. Always just straightening up after a slight bend (i.e. going round an island). Due to lack of grease on the swivel joint, bad maintenance.And yes the front wheels did fall off or should I say the suspension collapsed
i had a marina tc. i took the trunnions and legs off drilled and tapped the leg and drilled the trunnion and screwed them back on after filling them with grease and loctited a bolt with a thick washer on through the trunnion into the legThey were famed for it - as was the Marina. Always just straightening up after a slight bend (i.e. going round an island). Due to lack of grease on the swivel joint, bad maintenance.
Only the neglected ones, if properly maintained they would last forever.They were famed for it - as was the Marina. Always just straightening up after a slight bend (i.e. going round an island). Due to lack of grease on the swivel joint, bad maintenance.
So who drove who?i went for a test in one of theseView attachment 176621
it was like 53 it was not a case of going it was a case of stopping the thing.View attachment 176638
1937 Austin 10 Cambridge. Overtaking car is a bit too fuzzy for accurate identification. Twin D shaped rear windows are the best way to tell its a Cambridge. You can see one masked headlight, and the white circles on the front wings, proving that it’s a wartime picture. Wonder where they got the petrol from?"Is this your motor?".....A bit unlikely a question, this, as the image isn't good enough to show the numberplate! And it's probably as far back as winter 1941 or 1942 as well. Foley Road, Streetly. A fairly bog-standard car but I can't remember its make. Any suggestions please?
There's another car overtaking, perhaps a Morris of some sort?
Thanks.
Chris
View attachment 177001
Essential user's allowance, John. A tiny ration given to those who needed to run a car because of the demands of work or other "approved" activities. My father had one because of his responsibility in the running of a large metal producing factory and also his spare-time occupation of local Home Guard platoon C.O. There were a few private cars like that running around but many more were off the road. The father of one of my friends had his car up on blocks in the garage with as many removable items as possible - mudwings, doors, wheels, headlamps and so on - safely stored in the spare bedroom where they wouldn't go rusty.Wonder where they got the petrol from?
If you look with a magnifying glass, on the grill you can see a badge. Only a guess but I'm sure its an Austin."Is this your motor?".....A bit unlikely a question, this, as the image isn't good enough to show the numberplate! And it's probably as far back as winter 1941 or 1942 as well. Foley Road, Streetly. A fairly bog-standard car but I can't remember its make. Any suggestions please?
There's another car overtaking, perhaps a Morris of some sort?
Thanks.
Chris
View attachment 177001
Yes, my Dad’s Ford Ten Model C, AHP977, spent the war on blocks in his Uncle Jack’s garage in Oldbury. Dad was in Egypt.Essential user's allowance, John. A tiny ration given to those who needed to run a car because of the demands of work or other "approved" activities. My father had one because of his responsibility in the running of a large metal producing factory and also his spare-time occupation of local Home Guard platoon C.O. There were a few private cars like that running around but many more were off the road. The father of one of my friends had his car up on blocks in the garage with as many removable items as possible - mudwings, doors, wheels, headlamps and so on - safely stored in the spare bedroom where they wouldn't go rusty.
Chris
First car I ever bought for my own use BNP14, a non-runner the company took part exchange, £5 to buy £5 for a second hand engine £5 for a respray £3 for odds and ends, on the road for £18, kept it for two years and sold for £65.The parked car is without doubt a 1937/8 Austin Ten Cambridge four door six light saloon.