Context on one car and id on another.
Discussion
May be an unusual request. My dad often talked about his first car but it was probably just before my time. He always referred to it as BUL 346. I had never seen a picture of it. I am just getting some negatives digitised and came across these two. Thats my mum next to the car with my dad s brother at the gate at his mums house in Iver. The second one is of my dad driving the car. I have also attached his insurance renewal.
I know the car is a 1936 Ford Tourer, and these pictures are around the time they got married so 1956 - 1960. I have also seen the Tourer that was sold at H & H Classics which gave some background.
I get why they would want a convertible, but I wondered how a car like this would survive the second WW when you consider all the sacrifices made.
I think what I am asking is whether anybody could provide any context to the car. Where would they have bought it (private or motor trade), were there many around in those days, how would they have looked after it. I think I remember him saying they replaced the hood and he used to put a blanket over the engine in winter to prevent it freezing
The second one is more of a what is it? I don t remember it driving on the road. It was laid up next to the house and I used to sit in the drivers seat and drive it all over the world in my minds eye. Was very sad when it got towed away. I seem to remember it having a Rootes badge on the steering wheel. The picture was probably taken around 1963 -65. Is it a standard vehicle or a converted van?
Any help would be appreciated and I hope someone gets enjoyment from the pictures.
I know the car is a 1936 Ford Tourer, and these pictures are around the time they got married so 1956 - 1960. I have also seen the Tourer that was sold at H & H Classics which gave some background.
I get why they would want a convertible, but I wondered how a car like this would survive the second WW when you consider all the sacrifices made.
I think what I am asking is whether anybody could provide any context to the car. Where would they have bought it (private or motor trade), were there many around in those days, how would they have looked after it. I think I remember him saying they replaced the hood and he used to put a blanket over the engine in winter to prevent it freezing
The second one is more of a what is it? I don t remember it driving on the road. It was laid up next to the house and I used to sit in the drivers seat and drive it all over the world in my minds eye. Was very sad when it got towed away. I seem to remember it having a Rootes badge on the steering wheel. The picture was probably taken around 1963 -65. Is it a standard vehicle or a converted van?
Any help would be appreciated and I hope someone gets enjoyment from the pictures.
Edited by MisterNick on Sunday 22 February 20:49
Edited by MisterNick on Sunday 22 February 21:06
Great photos. I was confused initially as I could only see two photos. However, I now see four!
I think the 'second' vehicle is a Hillman, but judging by the windows and rear pillar it looks more like a converted Commer Cob van than a Hillman Husky Estate.
I can't answer the questions re the Ford but many cars were simply garaged for the duration of WWII. There were many bombsite sales lots during the 50s / early 60s, so the car could have been a private, dealer or bombsite sale.
The story about placing a blanket over the engine is probably true as I recall my father talking about doing that, and also placing a small paraffin lamp under the sump during very cold weather. There'll be those on here who will remember doing that themselves
Eta beaten to it, must type more quickly!
I think the 'second' vehicle is a Hillman, but judging by the windows and rear pillar it looks more like a converted Commer Cob van than a Hillman Husky Estate.
I can't answer the questions re the Ford but many cars were simply garaged for the duration of WWII. There were many bombsite sales lots during the 50s / early 60s, so the car could have been a private, dealer or bombsite sale.
The story about placing a blanket over the engine is probably true as I recall my father talking about doing that, and also placing a small paraffin lamp under the sump during very cold weather. There'll be those on here who will remember doing that themselves
Eta beaten to it, must type more quickly!
Many thanks for the replies. I did have difficulty loading the pictures so apologies if you were reading as I was trying to fix.
I thought the Ford was a nice little car for a first car.
In terms of context for the second car, was there an advantage to converting a van to a car, say a tax advantage. The only reason I can think that they would have bought that type of car would be because we had moved from a brand new bungalow to the house in the picture, and it needed a lot of work My dad also built a garage on our side although he was not in the construction industry. Maybe he needed it for picking up materials.
On the Hillman Husky note, I think I am right in saying this is one.
This was my grandads car but I remember my mum and dad borrowing for holidays. it is in the same road as the Commer. I think I have some clearer ones.
I thought the Ford was a nice little car for a first car.
In terms of context for the second car, was there an advantage to converting a van to a car, say a tax advantage. The only reason I can think that they would have bought that type of car would be because we had moved from a brand new bungalow to the house in the picture, and it needed a lot of work My dad also built a garage on our side although he was not in the construction industry. Maybe he needed it for picking up materials.
On the Hillman Husky note, I think I am right in saying this is one.
This was my grandads car but I remember my mum and dad borrowing for holidays. it is in the same road as the Commer. I think I have some clearer ones.
Similar to the blanket. I remember my Dad leaving a light bulb on an extension lead under the bonnet of his Saab 96 in the late 60s. The tiny bit of heat kept the damp out and made it possible to start
Failing that the distributor cap, leads and rotor arm had to be warmed over the stove in the morning before it would start!
And they say old cars have more character!
Failing that the distributor cap, leads and rotor arm had to be warmed over the stove in the morning before it would start!
And they say old cars have more character!
OP, your last photo is a Husky, a later one.
It would seem that there was also an earlier Minx estate and the attached photo, from the Hillman owners handbook, is of a 1951 Hillman Minx MK V Estate. It looks very similar to your original photo; unfortunately the blurry image of the old photo makes it more difficult to be sure, so it might still be a converted van.
There were tax advantages to converting a van, but they changed the rules at some time, possibly the late 60s and it was all to do with rear windows / seats IIRC.
It would seem that there was also an earlier Minx estate and the attached photo, from the Hillman owners handbook, is of a 1951 Hillman Minx MK V Estate. It looks very similar to your original photo; unfortunately the blurry image of the old photo makes it more difficult to be sure, so it might still be a converted van.
There were tax advantages to converting a van, but they changed the rules at some time, possibly the late 60s and it was all to do with rear windows / seats IIRC.
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