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Cars in my life of 74 years, compiled by Jack Hill.
Trojan four seater.
One was owned by Uncle Joe Insley from Barlestone.
Another was owned by Uncle Percy who would park
1930's it on the grass in the courtyard at Gables Farm when
visiting.I remember him showing me the extra radiator
to warm Aunt Ada's feet
Unknown Saloon.
This was kept at Thornton Reservoir for use by workers.
1935 I have ridden in it when being driven by Cousin Betty
The accelerator pedal was in the middle of controls
Austin Seven 1930 Car owned by Uncle Titus Dilks.
The one in which he had
difficulty with the gears and used to turn it around by
lifting the back end.
1940 Car owned by the auctioneer who valued our crops and
Rover 14.
So I went with father across grass fields. Amazed as didn't
realise cars could be driven anywhere other than roads.
Ford Popular
This was the car I saw being displayed at Bosworth Show
1935 - 40 and like the one stored in our shed during the war years
in which I sat for many hours going on imaginary journeys.
Morris Minor
Owned by Len Plant, he used to drive at 80mph. Have been
driven to places like Frinton on Sea.
Standard 8 saloon
Also owned by Len Plant, this car had transmission problems.
Remember sitting in rear well with seats removed studying
motion of back axle for extra bounce.
Humber 14
This was a car hired by National Provincial Bank for
transporting cash to and from Evington Rd to Granby Street.
The floor had plush carpet and there was plenty of room for
the bags of money as well as we two employees.
One with the Sphinx
This car was owned by Shirley Russell of Hinckley and once
Lanchester? was driven to Liverpool. David Russell and I were going on
Mossley Hill Drive and I waved my arms and the lighted
end of my cigarette dropped off. Both looked down to find
it, I looked up in time to see the lamppost looming ahead.
Quick reaction by David avoided lots of explanations.
Austin Seven
This one was owned by Ian Hall and Lois and he always
parked it outside the double doors of the School of
1952 Architecture. A group of students decided to carry it
through the doors into the entrance hall by the notice
board. Ian was extremely upset .
Triumph ?
This was a bulbous vehicle owned by Arthur Bayliss in
1954 Kuwait and would sway from side to side with headwinds.
MG Y Tourer
This was black four seater tourer with canvas roof and no
side windows. Headlamps and windscreen pitted with the sand.
Bought from a chap at Kuwait Oil Co in Al Ahmadi.
I drove this back to the UK via Iraq, Lebanon Turkey etc.
This after learning to drive on various Morris pickups and
a Morris 14 saloon with poor steering lock.
Took English test down in Bromley, had no passenger seat
so inspector sat on back seat and leaned forward to talk.
Sold to Performance Cars when heading for West Africa.
MG TD tourer
This white two seater was bought by Farmer and Dark for use
by Bob Banks and was handed to me when he returned to UK.
Had to toss coin for Left Hand or Right Hand ?? decisions!!
Both needed to be driven to keep batteries alive etc.
Glad I had duffel coat, necessary in mornings to keep warm,
Essential draped over steering wheel to allow one to touch
same at lunch time.
Chevrolet Impala
Owned by Scottish Clerk of works who looked like King
Farouk. Was highly impressed by the way it sailed over the
Desert corrugations quite unlike the pickups which ,despite
bags of sand in the back, swung from side to side like
crazy animals. (name of Don Jenkins yes Scottish)
Ford Popular
Circa 1957 This car was supplied to me by Nickson & Borys in Freetown
It had the habit of stalling and the electrics in the boot burned
out one afternoon. The accelerator pedal was worn down to a
short stalk.
VW Beetle
I have only ridden in this a few times. It was owned by Siggy
Monckton who was my assistant but I envied the road holding
and the acceleration in the mountains.
Morris Oxford
I refused to drive the Ford handed over in Accra and bought
1958 a black Morris Oxford as office car. This was much roomier
and stable. This was the first car I knew which had a steering
column canted to the side to allow three people to sit on the
front seat. The smells of previous owner remained with it.
Rover 12 Saloon
I was short of money after West Africa, so bought this second
hand vehicle in Leicester Forest East. Was taken in by the
fillings all being shiny. I paid £350 Drove it whilst working
In Birmingham. Spent every weekend on repairing the
repairs. The drain tubes in the door stiles shriveled up and
woodwork and the carpets developed dry rot fungus.It had a
free wheel system operated by a knurled wheel, I tried it on
a run down the Fosse Way.Took my foot of the accelerator
and of course it kept going at the same speed,We at the time
were approaching a crossroads. So I tightened the wheel
and never used it again. Sold at auction for £36.
Austin A 30
This car was bought by the new partnership of Hill & Norton
For use by Ken.N. Horrible green colour, Reg No WOB344
Probably died years ago.The indicator was situated on the
top of the console with a huge turn button and flashing light.
Singer Gazelle
When I moved to Gloucester I needed a more reliable car so
placed a deposit on a lovely red and cream cabriolet (soft top)
1961 .... This had four gears and overdrive and took us on holidays in
Europe. Once ,aboard a Hamilcar freighter to Basle. Beryl
hated the idea of driving through France. This car I had fitted
with full harness seat belts
M.G.Y Saloon
This was owned by John Duckworth and initially we drove
hundreds of miles to sites up in the Midlands and beyond.
If a site was in Newcastle we would drive to Birmingham
Airport and fly by DH Dove.
Rolls Royce
This was one of the cars owned by Jack Parker and I would
Phantom. ride in this only if going with him to a meeting in London. With
a chauffeur there was no problem with trying to find a parking
space.'Don't bother with speed limits John I'll pay the fine'was
often called through the dividing glass.
Jaguar E Type
This was another of Jack Parker's toys and would be used if
the destination had parking facilities as he didn't want it
scratched. I hated the ride as being very uncomfortable and
rolling along at speeds of 100mph.(no limits on M5 )
Mini Traveller
This was bought for use by Beryl once she had passed her test
and she was happy with its small size. However with the hills of
Stroud it developed transmission troubles and so we swapped it.
Hillman Hunter
For the Hunter estate. By now she was more confident and it was
better for the two babies.She also used it to go to Cash and Carry
for the groceries and places unknown to me...
Jaguar S Type
Saloons of this sort were acquired by John Duckworth and also
Bernard Clews and as we were all going to the same venues,
one of these would be used, I remember the humiliation once
when on the way back from Birmingham. A slight snow had
fallen and the car couldn't manage a very slight slope and we had
to get out and push.
Jaguar Mk 10
I toyed with the idea of Lancias but then opted for this Jaguar.
It had a manual box with overdrive which was operated by a
lever at knee height.I seldom drove it at 100mph as the steering
became too light for my liking. I did something like 70,000 M.in
eighteen months.I could leave Chalford, listen to Sing Something
sweetly and be checked in at Newcastle by 10.30.and ring Beryl
from the call box in La Dolce Vita to say I'm OK
Jaguar Mk10
This one had an automatic box as Jags were in short supply.
so the fuel consumption was much higher.Both versions
had saddle tanks either side of the rear wheels so some
juggling of switches was necessary as they weren't connected.
This kept the levels about equal. On this one I indulged in a
Webasto sliding roof which was a touch of luxury but I used to
get stiff necks as I didn't like wearing a scarf . I had harder shock
absorbers fitted to steady the ride.
Problem with having two babies and Henrietta the dog was that I
hadto put cardboard boxes in the foot wells and then place a sheet
of hardboard across for their beds.
Once when near to Kemble, the engine popped a rod and the
engine compartment filled with oily smoke.I jumped out lifted the
bonnet checked the details and hurried off to Kemble to catch the
train for London.
The engine was replaced and 'the incident never happened sir'
Triumph 2000
Sense prevailed after a time and I exchanged the Jag for this
Automatic estate. I very much liked the shape especially the back
window design which kept the glass clear. Took some time to
become happy with the gear change on the prop tunnel.
Triumph ?
I had two of these Triumphs which had many replaceable elements They were used by people in the office and then taken home at night for safe parking Tony Hall and Terry Hopegood
used them at some stage. They were traded in for the jag.plus..
Rover 2000
This was John Cooper's selection for his personal use and I never
did actually ride in it. He took it with him when he departed.
Citroen ID 19
This one was bought for Mike Bates to use instead of his own car.
When he moved on, I tried to convince Beryl to use it but she was
unhappy with its brake button on the floor instead of the usual
pedal. So it was sold.
Bristol The quantity Surveyor for most jobs was Harry Wareham and he
was a great supporter of Bristols. So I was often given pep talks
on Bristols virtues, we visited the works on a couple of occasions
Saw Duckhams advertisement with Harry's car boasting 180,000
miles without a de- coke but was worried about the cash needed.
Ace Car
Harry then went in for an Acecar with 8 litres under the bonnet
and this I felt was a bit over the top and a temptation to speed.
Land Rover
Having contracted to go and work in Seychelles, I swapped the
LWBase Triumph 2000 for this petrol driven 6 cylinder Land Rover with
1971 a Dormobile conversion lift up roof.. The idea was to ship it to India and drive back overland at the end of the contract.( I
stayed eight years till '79)
Bedford Van.
Having taken the Landrover to Southampton docks,I needed
A make shift so bought a clapped out Bedford van with a
sliding door access. The Hillman Hunter was still being used
by Sue Chadwick who had come into the familyafter Beryl died.
Toyota Saloon
Before the Landrover arrived in Seychelles, we needed a car so
I bought a second hand Toyota saloon which eventually I
handed over to Sue for her to use full -time.
Ford Escort
With the children having to go to school in England, I had to buy
a car for their Aunt Valerie to use to ferry them to and from
schools at leave outs and such times.
When I left Seychelles in 1979 I sold the Land Rover to the Army
and so used the Escort for a while in UK.Once we went to France
to see the Rhone Glacier, the car couldn't cope with the slopes.
Renault 2000
Hoping soon to get a job and go back to Chalford, I bought a
demonstrator model Estate coloured gold. This was a five gear
manual and very economical. I used it until I acquired the Astra
after which I passed it to Rebecca who sold her Citroen 2 CV.
We lent it to Australian friends to make a tour of Europe then
'Becca disposed of it to Nick Piggot.
Toyota Corolla
Before that however, I did a contract in Saudi Arabia and there
was provided with a Toyota Corolla I was assistant Manager in
the office so when he went on leave every four months,
Pontiac Saloon
I took over his car.In this I was able to drive across Saudi to
Yanbu on the other coast from Al Jubail.
Honda Cherry
Another occasion I did a contract in Libya and there for the
first six months I had to share use of the Hiace office bus.
Later I was provided with the new Cherry which immediately
changed my whole world. I could now shop when I liked and
escape from the confines of the residential compound.
Vauxhall Astra
This estate was purchased brand new for me by Frank Timothy
Asociates and I used it until I decided to go to Australia for a
visit in 1994.I then sold it to Judith King who still has it
with over 170,000 miles on the clock (Mar, 2001)
Honda Civic
In January 1994 I first called at New Zealand to visit relatives
and tour both islands so I hired a hatchback and stayed in
Motels .
Holden Ute
Before I arranged for hire of a Holden Ute with a pick a back
caravan ,I borrowed my neices's Nissan 4 wd runabout.
I motored for over 60,000 Kilometres and wore out several
tyres. The trip included Tasmania so the van went with me
on the catamaran ferry.
Nissan Micra
This car is owned by my sister but I pay share of expenses so
can use it occasionally for shopping and suchlike.
Chevrolet
On my return from the Australian trip, I bought this vehicle to
Land Cruiser live in until I could buy a flat or a canal barge. Cost me £8000.
Mileage was very low perhaps because of the 5.7 litre petrol
engine. I took trips around Scotland and Ireland stayed on camp
sites for up to a week, Stayed in it at Wimpole House to do paint
jobs. I had problems with the left hand drive when I was on
motorways as the mirrors didn't give a true picture so several
times I was blasted at by passing vehicles. Once I touched a tiny
van. Several times people touched me when trying to squeeze
past at the last minute. Last insurance quote was £640 so
was happy to swap for a Delta caravan. This proved unsuitable
for Richard's family so I sold it.
Car hiring.
Apart from the UK I have hired cars in the following countries.
South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius Seychelles. N Zealand,
Morocco, Cyprus, Malta, Australia, Zambia.
But never kept records of car types. The number of different types is quite staggering but was I think closely linked to
me being an Architect and being willing to move around as necessary.
Am now looking for a pickup and a pick- a- back for it. March 2001. 
An amusing road sign, photographed by Jack Hill.
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