This may cause a few palpitations among the assembled company.

I have just been given a coffee-table book, 'Classic Cars' by George Bishop, published in 1979. American orientated but deigns to mention the odd British and European classic. Here's what George thought of the Austin 7:

"The Austin Seven cannot be omitted, although its importance has been elevated out of all proportion to its real worth. Nevertheless it was one of the first cars to offer the cheapest kind of motoring for the masses; perhaps the best thing that can be said about it is that it was an improvement on the motorcyle or the cyclecar (although even this might be questioned by some, as the motorcycle/sidecar combination often offered more performance)... It has a clutch that was either in or out, inefficient brakes and other shortcomings, but it was good for its time. A rather boring little car, but a reminder of how things used to be... the Chummy was more endearing than the sardine-tin saloons that followed."

Alas, poor George. How could he have guessed that 'how things used to be' would hold such appeal for so many nearly 30 years on. And my Ruby takes exception to his last sentence - even if it possibly, just maybe, might, have a smidgeon of truth!

.

Nothing new there, then!

We still luv 'em.

Mike