The Magazine

A Topolino from Down Under

Last week's story about the Topolino Gathering brought back many happy memories to Reg Harris from Australia. He writes: "We bought our 1949 Fiat Type B in 1956, when we were young, new baby, new house and every penny counted. I remember one day preparing to reverse into a parking spot when the gear lever came loose in my hand. My first thought was "No! Not more expense." Then I looked at the lever, noted the screw thread on the end and promptly screwed it back in with much relief. In changing gears I obviously twisted the lever more in the anti-clockwise than the clockwise direction. The photo was taken in 1958 and shows the Topolino loaded up ready to head off on holidays. The homemade roof-rack just fitted our two suitcases. There was no room inside as I had fitted a small seat for our two year-old daughter. You may notice in the photo there is a small flag on the extended radio aerial. As the car was so small I fitted the flag to make us more conspicuous in traffic. By the way, the young lady beside the car is the same one with the 1934 Hillman shown on the July page of this year's PreWarCar/PostWarClassic calendar: my wife now for 57 years, Pam!"

Monday, 21 May 2012

Not a typical Oxford Street Scene

Karel Vermeer is a passionate collector of postcards that feature an MG. In the past we have already shown you several cards from his collection, but this is a rather special one. What at first glimpse looks like a typical pre-war scene in Queen Street, Oxford (click!) , is in fact a photo from the early post-war years. It must be because if you look closely at the MG TC in front, it can be identified by its licence plate JJO 722 as one of the two MG TC police cars that were employed by the Oxford police. As there are lists of MG's used by the police forces this one can even be further identified as having chassis number TC0281, which is only thirty numbers from the first MG TC produced in Abingdon in 1945. The other one employed by the Oxford police force was JJO 721 with chassis number TC0280. No doubt these cars have had a hard life so we wonder if they still exist?

Sunday, 20 May 2012

Tough to Crack Puzzle # 36

We are telling you no secrets that this is not the dashboard of a jukebox-like luxurious American Automobile. Instead this one comes from a country that doesn't exist anymore. It is based on a model that had been in production since 1950, but was given a whole new body in 1956. From then on they also named it after a nearby castle. It was the only four-door saloon in its price-range, more expensive than a VW Beetle and with a higher top-speed, but that was never to change during the model's entire life-span. We have thought of removing the logo on the steering wheel, but then thought 'what the heck'. It may be difficult enough as it is. What we want to hear from you is at least the make and if possible the model and year. To earn the collectable PostWar T-shirt send us your answer before Monday, May 21, mention Postwar Puzzle # 36 and please use no more than 100 words. Have a great weekend!
(photo source to be disclosed next week)

Saturday, 19 May 2012

So you want to be a princess?

If you are female and want to be treated as a princess, there's only one option for you: take part in the Rallye des Princesses! This is a rally in which only ladies driving classic cars can take part. But you will have to be the kind of girl that likes Life with a capital F, not just the kind who's a mere fashion victim! The thirteenth edition of the Rallye des Princesses starts on Sunday June 27 and will take you in six days from Paris to Monaco and back. Just like last year Peugeot will be main sponsor and promised to enter at least three automobiles, the 202 shown above, a 203 cabriolet and a convertible 204. One last remark: the men can come along too, but just to watch and admire the ladies' driving skills.

Friday, 18 May 2012