We drive classics not just to remind ourselves how cars used to be, but so we can ponder how everything used to be: bobbies on the beat, pea-soupers, driving in mackintosh, scarf and trilby because you hadn’t shelled out the extra £6 for the optional fug-stirrer, winding down the window to give hand signals.
If you broke down and there wasn’t a red phonebox within walking distance, you waited by your car until a friendly RAC or AA patrolman happened along. You would have the appropriate blue or yellow badge on your car’s radiator, he would have his tools in the sidecar of his motorcycle combination, and – cars were simpler then – you would be on your way in no time. And if you weren’t a member he would get you going all the same, and cheerfully shame you into buying a subscription and a badge as he did so.
Of course patrolmen got involved in other tasks as well, and were trained in first aid if they came upon an accident. They herded sheep off moorland roads, cured leaking radiators with oatmeal and ground ginger, helped the police catch criminals, and on occasion delivered babies by the roadside.
Bu hikaye Classic & Sports Car dergisinin April 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Classic & Sports Car dergisinin April 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison