MOTOR SPORT
Sir, I have a 1925 Lea-Francis ” 12/22 “
J two-seater coupe, with dickey.
The car was purchased by myself in April, 1949, for the low sum of £25. Since then it has been in daily use with no trouble other than occasional petrol stoppage. The oil has been Changed regularly and most of the wiring has been renewed ; other than this I have left well alone. Oil consumption is very low, one pint per 750 miles, and petrol consumption 25-30 m.p.g.
In early November last I journeyed from Taunton to N.W. Landon well laden with luggage (pram, etc.) and covered the 141 miles in 51 hours. On the return journey the distance was covered in hours–an average of 20.7 m.p.h. After this I am a confirmed vintage enthusiast and wish all of her enthusiasts all the joys of real motoring.
I am, Yours, etc..
Taunton F. .k. Rowe. Sir
I used to think it was unpatriotic and selfish of people to buy new ears-for, after all, one for home consumption means one less for the export market— but I see now that my logic ha,: been at fault.
If I, an old car, am kept, my owner is heavily penalised by 25s. per hp., whereas if he buys a new one he is rewarded with having to pay a flat rate of £10 p.a. only. More, if he sells it after expiry of the covenant he makes a nice fat little profit.
It’s obviously a new game. designed to kick the impecunious in the teeth. Ha I Ha! They can’t afford new cars. It’s nice of the motoring Press to worry about may welfare, but a fat lot of good writing to one’s M.P. is likely to do. Churchill, with his thoroughly mischievous speeches, seems about the only person capable of gotuling the Government into action—and even Churchill couldn’t save poor old Jones over the freeing of petrol. He, poor fellow, couldn’t afford an annual licence so, when petrol was taken off ration, he had to pay full rate for the remainder of the year. Oh, yes, it’s definitely a new game and my master, being a rich man, must get into it. What a pity I must be consigned to the breakers for I can still eat most of the moderns. What a pity I must sign myself, Yours sorrowfully,
“OLD LAG.”