RE Looking Back Fifty Years (Advertiser 10 November) — Bartley’s Garage.
I knew the garage well and in the photograph of the garage to the right the car looks like a Ford 10 Prefect. I had one of these which I bought in Andover in 1964 for £21 including one year’s MOT. A 1952 model.
In front is what I believe is a Morris 12. My brother owned the larger version, a Morris 16.
On the left of the picture I’m sure it is a Jowett Javelin with its streamlined read end, like a VW Beetle, but larger. This car had an aluminium body and forward opening doors.
As in a previous letter of mine I wrote that I helped scrap many dozens of cars.
In the article the Hillman Imp was advertised at £567 — seat belts extra. Who wanted seat belts in 1967?
I must mention the car I took lessons in and which I passed the test (Elvin School of Motoring, at Swan Court). It was the original square-shaped Vauxhall Viva. A joy to drive with a positive gear box and accelerator response. To reverse around a bend, you simply lined up the rear fin with the kerb and it was simplicity itself.
The Elvin School had a good record for getting people to pass.
My teacher was a short man with glasses. Below the dashboard he would hang his photo. I think this was to let the examiner know that the student had been taught well by him.
Derek (‘Clarkson’) Weeks, Martin Way, Andover.
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