This car was much more of a 'crumpet catcher'

“Here is a picture of the first car I owned which I called a 'Ruby' tourer. The picture was taken at home sometime in 1959, I think. I had it for less than a year and used to drive it to school. I do not have very fond memories of it as I managed to break the half shaft - twice.

The car was replaced in 1960 by an Austin Seven special based on a 1931 model fitted with an Ashley ash-framed, aluminium-panelled two-seat body. This car was much more of a 'crumpet catcher' though some female passengers burned their nylons on the silencer which was placed outside just below the scoop in the body which they got out over (as there were no doors). One or two were also quite alarmed at night when it backfired on the over-run and blew out a spurt of flame!”

Words and photograph by Duncan Macnab.