Cars with a happy or sad or happy tale!
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A sad story,
My dad was a Police Man in Ireland who investigated serious road accidents.
He went to one in the early 70's where an English registered Alvis DHC had been involved in a fatal accident. The car had very little damage, however it was impounded until investigations were complete.
Once investigations were complete, the car was released. My dad contacted the owner, who asked my Dad to arrange for it to be scrapped. My Dad said he would keep it in the pound for an additional 3 months, to give the owner a cooling off period. After 3 months my Dad contacted the owner, who still wanted it scrapped. After a discussion, the owner agreed to allow my Dad to take ownership / buy the car for a nominal sum on one condition, that the car was scrapped when my Dad was finished with it.
The car was used rarely, as Dad had other priorities, kids, work etc. It was parked in the garden at the side of the house while a garage was built (in our family, these things take a long time). A local scally broke the windscreen and at circa the same time the garage was pebble dashed and the car got splattered with pebble dash.
True to his word, my Dad drove a perfectly good Alvis to the scrap yard and it was crushed / scrapped / whatever they did in the early 70's.
Criminal.
I am sure there are plenty of similar tales out there. Please share!
ETA: Sorry for the typo in the title,
My dad was a Police Man in Ireland who investigated serious road accidents.
He went to one in the early 70's where an English registered Alvis DHC had been involved in a fatal accident. The car had very little damage, however it was impounded until investigations were complete.
Once investigations were complete, the car was released. My dad contacted the owner, who asked my Dad to arrange for it to be scrapped. My Dad said he would keep it in the pound for an additional 3 months, to give the owner a cooling off period. After 3 months my Dad contacted the owner, who still wanted it scrapped. After a discussion, the owner agreed to allow my Dad to take ownership / buy the car for a nominal sum on one condition, that the car was scrapped when my Dad was finished with it.
The car was used rarely, as Dad had other priorities, kids, work etc. It was parked in the garden at the side of the house while a garage was built (in our family, these things take a long time). A local scally broke the windscreen and at circa the same time the garage was pebble dashed and the car got splattered with pebble dash.
True to his word, my Dad drove a perfectly good Alvis to the scrap yard and it was crushed / scrapped / whatever they did in the early 70's.
Criminal.
I am sure there are plenty of similar tales out there. Please share!
ETA: Sorry for the typo in the title,
Edited by gf15 on Tuesday 24th April 21:33
20 years ago a mate of mine was riding a Yamaha RD500, along with another mate on another bike one evening. They were going round a big roundabout, probably playing silly buggers as you do when you're young, on a bike and going round a big roundabout!
He pushed it a bit too far, and the bike slid away. From what I gather, it wasn't a fast crash, and would normally be the kind of incident you'd slide along the floor for a bit, stop, get up and look like a bit of an idiot.
However, in this case, he slid backwards into a barrier, it caught his head awkwardly, and he died
Anyway the lad's bike was recovered to the other mate's house - not badly damaged at all. The family told him to keep it, and we all rallied round to help repair it, made it look like new, and on the family's wishes it was ridden to the funeral and parked by the grave slot.
So - not sure what kind of a tale this is - bittersweet I guess!
He pushed it a bit too far, and the bike slid away. From what I gather, it wasn't a fast crash, and would normally be the kind of incident you'd slide along the floor for a bit, stop, get up and look like a bit of an idiot.
However, in this case, he slid backwards into a barrier, it caught his head awkwardly, and he died
Anyway the lad's bike was recovered to the other mate's house - not badly damaged at all. The family told him to keep it, and we all rallied round to help repair it, made it look like new, and on the family's wishes it was ridden to the funeral and parked by the grave slot.
So - not sure what kind of a tale this is - bittersweet I guess!
I used to own a prototype Triumph Chicane. That's effectively 2500PI for the South African market, but mine was build in the UK as a prototype. It had a TR5 engine (from new), and certain trim differences. It was used by a Triumph Director as a company car. He was then given it when he retired and when he died, I bought it from his wife.
When I sold it a few years later, I made sure it was going to a good home. It actually went to a good liar who, I later learned, bought it for parts and almost immediately broke it up.
When I sold it a few years later, I made sure it was going to a good home. It actually went to a good liar who, I later learned, bought it for parts and almost immediately broke it up.
I use to own a Mark 2 Ford Escort which was W-Reg, so it was one of last built. I had starter motor problems with it and it was rather rusty and I sold it in 2005 with no MOT or TAX to Lamberhurst Garage. Anyway I haven't seen it again and I have looked up on DirectGov website and it says it is SORN, which can mean anything. I will upload a photo of it soon.
A friend's Dad bought a really nice navy blue Jag Mk II 240 in the late 70s. It had the full varnished wood which unusually was not cracking or flaking and it was in lovely condition. My mate crashed it and the front wing was ripped back like a sardine can. It was obviouis then why Jags rusted - the entire inner wing was red oxide colour and clearly hadn't been painted.
Anyhow, Mk II jags were cheap back then so it was scrapped and his Dad bought a far more dull 1968 Volvo 144S.
Anyhow, Mk II jags were cheap back then so it was scrapped and his Dad bought a far more dull 1968 Volvo 144S.
The Austin Beach Car prototype, used at the launch of the Mini Cooper in 1961 as a journalist shuttle, was imported to Greece in 1966 by a shipping magnate.
The car was subsequently presented as a gift to one of his captains that lived in Athens. He cherished the car and took good care of it.
Following the captains death in the late 90's the car changed hands a couple of times, was sighted nearly abandoned outside a garage for a few years, then was parked outside a restaurant, until it ended up in a scrapyard in November 2010.
By sheer luck, I happened to see the car there, just before it got scrapped, and bought it on the spot, saving it from being crushed and recycled.
The restoration is now almost finished.
My dad and one of his mates were very early members of the Vintage Motorcycle Club, way back in the early sixties. Back then, vintage motorbikes (pre-31 for bikes) weren't worth anything much. Dad's mate found a 1929 Sunbeam Model 9 advertised. He told his wife that he was going to look at it, and as she kicked off a little, he promised to buy here a dress for the same amount as he spent on the bike. Long story short, the old boy that owned it was so chuffed to see someone so young interested in his old bike that he gave it to him for free. Much to the annoyance of Dad's mates' wife 
Fast forward to a few years ago, and Dad's mate (now well into his 70s) is getting rid of many of his collection of bikes. He still remembered what that old boy had done for him, so did a bit of research and discovered that the grandson (or posibly great-grandson) of the chap was a motorcyclist. He contacted the lad, and explained where the bike had come from and asked whether he'd be interested in it, as he'd decided to thin out his collection. The lad said that he'd love to, but couldn't raise that sort of money (around £8-10k). Dad's mate said that he didn't want any money for it, that the lads ancestor had done him a massive favour and if the lad wanted it to keep and use, he could have it back for free.
And so, the Sunbeam is now back with its original family and has never been sold... for any money
Fast forward to a few years ago, and Dad's mate (now well into his 70s) is getting rid of many of his collection of bikes. He still remembered what that old boy had done for him, so did a bit of research and discovered that the grandson (or posibly great-grandson) of the chap was a motorcyclist. He contacted the lad, and explained where the bike had come from and asked whether he'd be interested in it, as he'd decided to thin out his collection. The lad said that he'd love to, but couldn't raise that sort of money (around £8-10k). Dad's mate said that he didn't want any money for it, that the lads ancestor had done him a massive favour and if the lad wanted it to keep and use, he could have it back for free.
And so, the Sunbeam is now back with its original family and has never been sold... for any money
srob said:
My dad and one of his mates were very early members of the Vintage Motorcycle Club, way back in the early sixties. Back then, vintage motorbikes (pre-31 for bikes) weren't worth anything much. Dad's mate found a 1929 Sunbeam Model 9 advertised. He told his wife that he was going to look at it, and as she kicked off a little, he promised to buy here a dress for the same amount as he spent on the bike. Long story short, the old boy that owned it was so chuffed to see someone so young interested in his old bike that he gave it to him for free. Much to the annoyance of Dad's mates' wife
Fast forward to a few years ago, and Dad's mate (now well into his 70s) is getting rid of many of his collection of bikes. He still remembered what that old boy had done for him, so did a bit of research and discovered that the grandson (or posibly great-grandson) of the chap was a motorcyclist. He contacted the lad, and explained where the bike had come from and asked whether he'd be interested in it, as he'd decided to thin out his collection. The lad said that he'd love to, but couldn't raise that sort of money (around £8-10k). Dad's mate said that he didn't want any money for it, that the lads ancestor had done him a massive favour and if the lad wanted it to keep and use, he could have it back for free.
And so, the Sunbeam is now back with its original family and has never been sold... for any money
What a great story. Here's hoping the young chap takes good care of it (and rags it senseless every so often Fast forward to a few years ago, and Dad's mate (now well into his 70s) is getting rid of many of his collection of bikes. He still remembered what that old boy had done for him, so did a bit of research and discovered that the grandson (or posibly great-grandson) of the chap was a motorcyclist. He contacted the lad, and explained where the bike had come from and asked whether he'd be interested in it, as he'd decided to thin out his collection. The lad said that he'd love to, but couldn't raise that sort of money (around £8-10k). Dad's mate said that he didn't want any money for it, that the lads ancestor had done him a massive favour and if the lad wanted it to keep and use, he could have it back for free.
And so, the Sunbeam is now back with its original family and has never been sold... for any money
)That has cheered me right up tonight.
Can't prove it with a picture, but a school mate's Dad had a photo of him with a 3 1/2 litre Bentley he had owned before WW2. It spent the war up on bricks, and they both survived. On his return from war, he married, as you do, and money was tight. He couldn't get tyres for the big car, let alone afford the petrol, so he swapped the Bentley, for a Ford Popular.
John
John
A few months ago I had an email from a chap whose sister had recently been widowed and the family wanted to sell the Riley in his garage, a '65 1.5. I agreed to go and see it, value it and see if I could help sell it to an enthusiast through the Riley Motor Club. When I arrived, the owner's widow explained that her late husband, who had worked in the motor trade, had been due to retire in January 2012 and the Riley's restoration was to have been his retirement project but he had died in December 2011.
On looking over the car I could see that he'd already done quite a bit of work (he'd owned the 1.5 since 1980) but had never managed to find the time to finish it. Incredibly, he'd got hold of a new shell at some time in the past, had it sprayed and had swapped many of the parts to it. It also had Konis fitted, it had an overdrive and various other modifications, some fitted, others still boxed.
I was so touched by the story I agreed a price that the widow was happy with and bought the car, promising to restore it as her late husband had intended then take her out in it if she wished. It'll take me a couple of years but that 1.5 will see the road again, not 100% as the owner had intended with a MGA twin-cam engine but I've bought a MGB engine for it; I hope he would have considered it an acceptable substitute.
On looking over the car I could see that he'd already done quite a bit of work (he'd owned the 1.5 since 1980) but had never managed to find the time to finish it. Incredibly, he'd got hold of a new shell at some time in the past, had it sprayed and had swapped many of the parts to it. It also had Konis fitted, it had an overdrive and various other modifications, some fitted, others still boxed.
I was so touched by the story I agreed a price that the widow was happy with and bought the car, promising to restore it as her late husband had intended then take her out in it if she wished. It'll take me a couple of years but that 1.5 will see the road again, not 100% as the owner had intended with a MGA twin-cam engine but I've bought a MGB engine for it; I hope he would have considered it an acceptable substitute.
Never help a lady in distress is the motto of this story.
1964, and I owned a Mini 850. One day I saw a girl being slapped around, so when things had calmed down (he was much bigger than me!) I asked if she'd like a lift home. Next morning my car was gone from outside the house, stolen, and was recovered by the police six weeks later. But it had been used for a robbery, then dumped in Portsmouth commercial docks. When recovered, it was covered in barnacles and by now had become a mini Mini - a freighter had sat on it at low tide. Incredibly, still in the door bin was my wallet with a few pound notes which I had to give to the bank to separate since they were completely stuck together. The thief was of course the chap slapping the girl around.
1964, and I owned a Mini 850. One day I saw a girl being slapped around, so when things had calmed down (he was much bigger than me!) I asked if she'd like a lift home. Next morning my car was gone from outside the house, stolen, and was recovered by the police six weeks later. But it had been used for a robbery, then dumped in Portsmouth commercial docks. When recovered, it was covered in barnacles and by now had become a mini Mini - a freighter had sat on it at low tide. Incredibly, still in the door bin was my wallet with a few pound notes which I had to give to the bank to separate since they were completely stuck together. The thief was of course the chap slapping the girl around.
Here's a happy one. In 1966 my Great Grandfather bought a convertible Triumph Herald as a retirement present to himself. He passed away in 1985, my Dad rebuilt the bodywork, brakes and suspension in 1989, and still owns it today.
In 46 years it's done just under 100k and still has my Great Grandfather's cigarette stubs in the ashtray. IMO its a really pretty car and amazing to sit inside and think that it is almost completely the same car he drove out of a showroom all those years ago.
In 46 years it's done just under 100k and still has my Great Grandfather's cigarette stubs in the ashtray. IMO its a really pretty car and amazing to sit inside and think that it is almost completely the same car he drove out of a showroom all those years ago.
Riley Blue said:
It'll take me a couple of years but that 1.5 will see the road again, not 100% as the owner had intended with a MGA twin-cam engine but I've bought a MGB engine for it; I hope he would have considered it an acceptable substitute.
Sounds good to me; hoping you'll post a photo or two.Shortly after the war, an uncle of mine who was recently married and doing well for himself, was looking to buy a car for his wife as a runaround. In a garage he passed regularly on the way to work was an old sports car, which he thought she would like, however, dropping off at the garage to check it out he also spotted a new Austin A35. He ummed and erred over the choice but eventually decided on the A35, because it was new and so reliable and cost the same.
The old sports car was a Bugatti.
I'll never forgive him!
The old sports car was a Bugatti.
I'll never forgive him!
srob said:
My dad and one of his mates were very early members of the Vintage Motorcycle Club, way back in the early sixties. Back then, vintage motorbikes (pre-31 for bikes) weren't worth anything much. Dad's mate found a 1929 Sunbeam Model 9 advertised. He told his wife that he was going to look at it, and as she kicked off a little, he promised to buy here a dress for the same amount as he spent on the bike. Long story short, the old boy that owned it was so chuffed to see someone so young interested in his old bike that he gave it to him for free. Much to the annoyance of Dad's mates' wife
Fast forward to a few years ago, and Dad's mate (now well into his 70s) is getting rid of many of his collection of bikes. He still remembered what that old boy had done for him, so did a bit of research and discovered that the grandson (or posibly great-grandson) of the chap was a motorcyclist. He contacted the lad, and explained where the bike had come from and asked whether he'd be interested in it, as he'd decided to thin out his collection. The lad said that he'd love to, but couldn't raise that sort of money (around £8-10k). Dad's mate said that he didn't want any money for it, that the lads ancestor had done him a massive favour and if the lad wanted it to keep and use, he could have it back for free.
And so, the Sunbeam is now back with its original family and has never been sold... for any money
That is just magic. Has cheered me up after a crap day!Fast forward to a few years ago, and Dad's mate (now well into his 70s) is getting rid of many of his collection of bikes. He still remembered what that old boy had done for him, so did a bit of research and discovered that the grandson (or posibly great-grandson) of the chap was a motorcyclist. He contacted the lad, and explained where the bike had come from and asked whether he'd be interested in it, as he'd decided to thin out his collection. The lad said that he'd love to, but couldn't raise that sort of money (around £8-10k). Dad's mate said that he didn't want any money for it, that the lads ancestor had done him a massive favour and if the lad wanted it to keep and use, he could have it back for free.
And so, the Sunbeam is now back with its original family and has never been sold... for any money
Dad had a 1934 Bentley 3.5 with a William Arnold Body. It was originally the Olympia show car in 1934 for the coach builder, which we luckily found some photographs for. We believe the number of Bentleys William Arnold did can be counted on the fingers of both hands (I may be very wrong on that count, we didn't search VERY hard).
In around 1936 it found its way back to Rolls-Royce and from there onto the chief designer at Vickers. Who used Rolls Royce aero engines. We had letters from his son, who was a flight leuftenant I think, who chauffered him during the war.
It was sold some years ago, and is running round in Belgium now I believe.
This is more of a sad car-related tale.
When I passed my test in 1985 all I could afford was a Mini Clubman estate. My mates did a bit better with Fiestas, Escorts and Alfas, then a friend of a friend rocked up in a yellow Mexico - bought by his parents.
He killed it in no time and gradually went down the food chain of cars, gradually swapping what he had for something inferior but which actually went.
He ended up with a right shed which he swapped for a pushbike - then took £25 for that when he fancied a night out on the pop.
Went from a Mexico to Shanks' Pony in about four years. Genius.
When I passed my test in 1985 all I could afford was a Mini Clubman estate. My mates did a bit better with Fiestas, Escorts and Alfas, then a friend of a friend rocked up in a yellow Mexico - bought by his parents.
He killed it in no time and gradually went down the food chain of cars, gradually swapping what he had for something inferior but which actually went.
He ended up with a right shed which he swapped for a pushbike - then took £25 for that when he fancied a night out on the pop.
Went from a Mexico to Shanks' Pony in about four years. Genius.
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