Dad’s Cars

Our family cars say a great deal about the times we have lived through…
Our first family car (1957?) was an Austen 7 (built 1939?)… Jean & Bo helped dad (Eric) fix it up (on an Allotment in Ryarsh Lane West Malling) ) from a rusty heap to a working motor with shiny chrome and paintwork. Here it is parked by our shed in the yard at Police Station Road.
Our Second family car – a Hillman Minx (built c. 1935). The picture was taken (c.1959) on our first proper family holiday to Cornwall. Dad’s wage hit the £20 a week mark in 1963 and he could afford a succession of cars.
Out with the old, in with the new… our old Morris 8 being driven away with the new jag in the foreground

Most were acquired privately for cash but the two jags were bought on HP from Malling Garage where I (bo) had my first job as a 13-year-old on a Saturday pumping gas.

Dad’s first Jaguar was a Mark 5 (Built c. 1951); it had a 2.5 Litre and weighed 2.25 tons!- The picture is taken at 7b (c.1962) – its cost far too much to run but could still do a ton!

Dad’s Second Jag was a Mark VII with its all-leather interior and walnut dashboard (Built c. 1955)  – The picture is taken on a Cornwall holiday with dad, mum and gran in the picture. I remember dad taking me out one day down ‘7-Mile Lane’ which was a long straight stretch of Roman Road and demonstrating that the car could speed at 120MPH! Jean remembers being embarrassed when dad picked her up from Clare Park Secondary Modern School in East Malling, because her classmates thought she was rich ‘cos dad drove a Rolls Royce.

There were several other cars Eric bought in the UK. After the jags was an old green Humber, then a Triumph Herald and a Blue & White Dormobile and a white Transit Van.


The Chrysler Valiant – Dad’s First Car Bought in New Zealand

Mum’s one and only car… despite being photographed behind the wheel I don’t think she ever drove it! I (bo) on the other hand found it a real boon on one of my visits.