The dominant makes were the Morris - Austin stable, including lots of MGs, and Chevrolets. They were augmented by a Bentley, a Rolls, a lovely Ford Thunderbird, a couple of Triumphs (of the sportier variety), and lots more. We often see older vehicles like these on our roads and I sometimes wonder if Armidale's (and Australia's) drier climate greatly aids vehicle preservation. Perhaps, also, Australians took to the roads earlier and in proportionately much greater numbers than Europeans, which could explain why we have a lot more older vehicles per capita. Perhaps the vehicle I liked most was the 1925 Crossley, made in the UK (second from the top of the 5 pictures). Can anyone remember seeing a Crossley before? I can't.
Given that I worked for a couple of years from 1969 to 1971 in Oxford at the Morris factory, I was especially interested in the cars associated with the company or that vicinity. They include, by the way, the Rolls because I was amazed to find that the Morris plant also made bodies for Rolls Royce, tucked away out of sight at the rear. I always wanted a 2 seater MG while I worked at that factory and I recalled vividly the models on display. In fact, I once rode during my last year at university up the A1 from Newcastle to Alnwick in one of the models on display today and in the same green colour. That was about 41 years ago and I maybe lucky to still be alive because I remember the speedo cranking past about 165 kph (or a little over 100 mph). I wasn't driving at the time and I won't say who was less the fuzz want to mount a belated prosecution.
Has anyone thought about buying a classic car? I'm now interested, especially if it's an old MG.
AS
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