My Car History

A friend and I were having a pint or two in our local last week and we were enjoying a random chat. As you do.

We polished off the weather, dallied with sexual boasts, commented on the young talent in the bar, bemoaned the fact that we could no longer indulge, swapped medical tales, solved the Words problems and fell silent.

So we had another pint

Dave then started talking about all the cars he has owned over the years. This got me thinking, so over the next few days I dusted off and put on my thinking cap and made a list of my cars.

Here it is - just in case you need a snigger at someone else's motoring history

https://1drv.ms/w/s!AsWeojYaF3XusDCatSiYevpRegDL

That is a very interesting selection, Alan.
There are some very nice pieces of motoring history there.

Here is my list of "runners and riders" In order of appearance. (4 wheelers only)


Morris 8 van 193? Ex GPO Telephones. Came and went in a few days.
Morgan three wheeler 1929-34 came with 990sv Matchless engine, fitted a 1100ohv "Dog ear" JAP
BSA three wheeler 990sv 1934?
Austin 7 Ruby 1937
Talbot drop head 1938 Alum. body Hillman sv engine and Bendix brakes
Jowett Javlin 52
Ford Mk 1 Consul 1954
Land Rover Ser 1 80" 12 hp 1952 proprietary hard top
Land Rover Ser 2 88" 1958 Station wagon top 2ltr diesel, fitted replacement 2.25ltr petrol
Land Rover Ser 1 LWB 1954 Truck cab. Bought minus engine, fitted Perkins P4
Morris Minor very early sv with split screen 1952?
Rover 105 S saloon 1953 (P4)
Scooter car 3 wheeler GRP Hunslet Engine Co. Villiers 197cc , fitted tuned kart cylinder
Mk 1Mini 1960
Mk 1 Mini 1964 had three "rebuilt" engines in it and did over 75000 miles whilst I had it (4 yrs)
Mk 1 Mini van 1964 converted to estate.
Mk2 Mini Bought new body shell and built it up from rebuilt spares, reg. as new. lasted 11 years.
Mini Gem Bought new GRP body shell and built it up from rebuilt spares. reg as new.
Marcos GT Bought 3mth old write off chassis and most of new body. reg. as new. Triumph Vitesse running gear
Subaru Estate
MK 1 Ford Capri 2 ltr Ghia auto(new) 78
Mk 3 Ford Cortina 2,3ltr Ghia auto (new)81
Vauxhall CD auto (new) 83
BMW 318i auto (new)86
Ugly Truck (entirely home made chassis and body “Peugot ” eng/'box. Reg as “rebodied”)
Mercedes 190D auto
Mercedes C220D auto
Mercedes C250TD auto estate
Kia Carens crap 2ltr diesel disaster auto
Mercedes A150 auto
Mercedes B180 auto

Can anyone ever forget the Ugly Truck. I recall you posted a picture of it on the web a few years back.

But fair dues, it was quite an achievement.

You certainly have had quite a selection - what is your favourite?

Mine is without doubt my present KIA Venga - no other car has ever fitted my lifestyle and skeletal limitations so well.

It is difficult to pick out a favourite, because each of them had their own charm/memories/quirkyness.
Obviously the Ugly Truck is high up on the list because of its origins.The Mark 2 Mini  is slightly similar, as is the Mini Gem....new body shells built up using reconditioned running gear.
Management's brother and his wife (a school mistress!) came visiting one day just after I had finished the Mark 2 Mini.
Anne was very pleased with her new car and took her to look at her new Mini.
She opened the door and said "There it is" or some such thing.
The response was "Oh!, ...It looks like a real one.."  She was an infant teacher.

They each have their own stories to tell. I could write a book about them all, but I suspect it would take longer to write than the time left for its completion!!!

p.s. Only just before Christmas we were visiting neighbours over in the Skipton area and I was told that the Ugly Truck had been espied on a local Car breakers wagon. I have not yet followed up this information,

Well never been mad about cars but first one back in the 60's was of course a Morris Minor with a Jaguar emblem attached to the front of the bonnet - how many people wanted to buy that off of me!

we then moved to a non-distinct station wagon as they call them over here - probably a ford as the family was expanding.  and then the cue de gras as they say a Renault 15 in purple or close to it - really a sports car for two - the back seats were a bit of a squash for the two kids and the MIL - but she was a dream.

I sold it to go to Hong Kong and over there immediately was offered a Jaguar sedan 5 seater MK I or II , I’ll have to check with the lad about that. But unfortunately didn’t have the cash needed a decision I’ve always regretted.

On re-entry to UK we got a beat up old Renault 17 that needed rust cutting out – but I did repaint it with a special streak free paint for cars they had going in those days and it came out amazingly true, this was in the early 80’s  and then car less off to OZ

I have never owned a car myself - but driven my late husband's. I have no idea what sort of cars they were.

well let's start from the beginning then dizzy were they four wheeled or three wheeled?

They had 6 wheels that I know of.  I only ever handled one of them.

If it's any help - his last car was silver in colour with a black leather interior and horrible carpets that were the very devil to vacuum. The bits stuck in the wiry pile on the carpet.

My job was to keep the inside of the car clean - his was to wash and polish the outside. So he used to take it to Tesco's and get the polish guys to do it.

Let me guess - the one you handled was the steering wheel.

I started with an 
A35 van
Hillman Minx
Mini minor
Mini minor again
Hillman Minx again

Then company cars
A 40
Ford Cortina
Ford Cortina again
Vauxhall Chevette
Vauxhall Victor
Austin Maxi
Austin Maxi again
Morris Marina
Ford Cortina again
Ford Cortina again
Peugeot 405
Peugeot 406
Peugeot 406 again

Back to private cars
Austin Mini
Vauxhall Victor again 
Honda Civic
Honda Jazz

Did you have problems with the cable operated gear change on the Maxis.

My company bought 4 for some reps and 3 of them were awful.  I was a manager then and fortunately missed out - I had an Austin Ambassador instead

AlanHo wrote:

Did you have problems with the cable operated gear change on the Maxis.

My company bought 4 for some reps and 3 of them were awful.  I was a manager then and fortunately missed out - I had an Austin Ambassador instead

Changing gear was like stirring  porridge.  The second on when on the motorway at speed felt like it had square brakes when braking at speed.  The juddering was awful. The supplying garage did not seem concerned.

With the Morris Marina,the yellow paint started to come off round the wheel arches after about three weeks.  When I picked it up, the bar at the back of the seat was uncomfortable on the bottom of my back, and I had to stuff some foam up it. We had three, and the sales director complained to Leyland, and they sent someone to see them.  One was running so badly that it was doing about 18 to 20 per gallon, and if he pulled out to overtake and pressed the accelerator hard, the nose dipped for a second or two before the speed picked up. Leyland were terrible in those days.

That's an interesting list. A trip down memory lane.

Afraid my memory's not as good as yours Alan !
I can't remember the name of my first two Mitsubishi's