| My first car, a used Austin A50 or A55 I never can remember. Anyway it cost me £150 in 1961, now that was a good bit of cash back then. No Heater as that was an optional extra, got one at a junk yard. Shear luxury as it could keep frost off the steering wheel, still needed gloves though. Had it back to the garage three times in three months then the big day,,,,, driving TEST. Picked car up from garage (with co-driver) went for test. Did most of it ok till three point turn, *^%$)&&^, no reverse, which the garage was supposed to have fixed, used leg to push backward while explaining to Examiner t'was just out of garage. Nice chap, said just carry on with test. Next, hill stop/start, handbrake let car slowly trundle back, I did heel and toe start, he said, "do that again" so I did. After reaching finish position he asked to see garage receipt which I gave him and he noted. Well you have passed he said, you have shown a higher level of control than is normal. That Garage is not going to be happy though.
The car could just manage 55mph though it was hard to keep where it was meant to be. I had it for eighteen month or so, then bought a Vauxhall Victor Estate. That is for another post |