Something old

The Austin A60 was a good car, with the great advantage of starting reliably on a cold morning, unlike contemporary Fords, Hillmans and Vauxhalls. That one is Surrey-registered, 1962 or 63.

Isn't it strange that we used to go out to a car in the morning and hope that it would start! Who thinks like that now? I remember the Mk3 Escort (bustleback shape) which had an auto choke which was so unreliable that people converted them to manual chokes.

My first car, a 1980 Fiesta 1.0l had a manual choke. On cold mornings it was difficult to start and keep going.... constant adjustment of choke.

Then again the other week I unlocked my Superb and the car failed to recognise the key in the ignition for two or three attempts. It's been fine since. But knowing it's a Skoda I'll deal with any issues when they arise. Main thing is it's a big car with lots of space for an elderly relative to get in.

Back to the OP my memories of cars include (and start with):

- VW Beetle 
- Audi something or other - rust coloured and a bit of a problem with rust too. Bonnet once flew open when dad driving along at 60ish!
- Triumph Dolomite - not good for towing the caravan we borrowed! It fell in an inspection pit (mechanic) at the garage and was written off... said mechanic bought it and fixed it up.
- Massive black saloon car (no idea of make) with bench seat in front.... dad used for some wedding hires.... his last car aged 43. It was an old car when he got it.

Whatever happened with your Mother's Range Rover?

Probably a wise decision.

Dad had a series of Vauxhall Victor estates from FA to FC101. Company cars, replaced every March or thereabouts. No extant still photos but there are images on cine film if I can find means to access them. One was a similar blue/buttermilk combo to WDB's A60 in OP though Vauxhall practice was more half/half. I'm told Dad got pretty cheesed off with people likening it to a Walls ice cream van. First I remember were the FB series - one was cack brown/fawn and the other red/grey. I'd have been about 4 at time of latter (1964). I'm told I gleefully told a neighbour 'my Daddy has a new car, it's got a grey top and a red bottom'. Neighbour replied he too had a grey top and red bottom - one of those stories my Mother still retold 50+ years later.

Last of those was FC101 in 65 (two tones of blue). It was followed in 66 by a Simca 1500 GLS Estate in tomato red. OK as a child passenger. It cured my travel sickness - probably because I could see out properly. Its arrival marked end of annual changes - lasted 60k or so miles until 1969 and it was only failing king pins that saw it off then. It was then back to a Victor FD 2 litre estate, remember Dad asking several neighbours to help solve meaning of massive red sticker saying 'Negative Ground' on one wheel arch. Mum's brother explained it eventually. That was replaced in 71 by a Hillman Hunter GLS 1725 Auto - effectively written off in 'wrong side of road' accident near Limoges in 1973.

Remaining company cars were all Ford Granadas - 73- 75 - 78 and c1980. In retirement he was a Honda man.

Saw a Hillman Minx proceeding very slowly across Malta the other day.  Two tone light and dark greens, original unrestored condition and a driver who looked like he bought it brand new as a present to himself when he turned 50...

Was watching an Iranian film on TV yesterday, "Tehran Taxi", in which a Hillman Avenger featured fleetingly.  Highly recommended film, it's on BBC iPlayer.  Very noticeable in the background that the Iranians were buying many more cars from the French than the British, from the mid 80s or so.  Peugeot have/had some factories there I think.  Also, an amazing amounts of KIA Pride saloons.