I am currently studying a murder trial from 1936. In the course of his evidence a detective said he started an Austin 7, where the key was missing, with the flat part of a Peterson Pipe Cleaner.

I am familiar with such pipe cleaners from my youth and they did have a wire in them but his use of the term "flat part" suggests to me that he is referring to a pipe tool.

Can anyone elaborate on the mechanics of what he might have done.

Thanks.

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Hi Pól

I suspect this might have meant a pipe cleaning 'tool' rather than a 'pipe cleaner'.

I understand the early Austin 7 'lock' used a simple spade key - easily replaced with part of a tool kit -




Cheers, Tony.

Location: Malvern, Victoria, Australia

Early A7s could be started with a small, flat screwdriver or anything similar.

Location: Richmond, Texas

Pól,

some picture that may make things clearer for you:

Thanks chaps.

Screwdriver in pocket now and ready to nick the next Box saloon I see!

I'll break it and put the parts on the For Sale forum. Great.

Sam (Got out 3 days ago)

I don't think this is new information to the fraternity who would steal a car slippery old chap!

Location: Wormwood

Thanks to all who replied. I think that clears it up for me. Much appreciated.

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Pól, it would be interesting to hear a little bit more on how the Austin 7 fitted into the case.


I think it was John Mortimer's (creator of Rumpole) father, Clifford, who was an eminent QC specialising in divorce cases, who told the Court on one occasion that the only evidence he would be offering was a pair of footprints on the headlining of an Austin 7 motor car ;-}

Location: North Herts

Nick

In 1936 Edward Ball killed his mother with a hatchet. He then bundled the bloodied body into her Austin7 and drove it to some cliffs on the Dublin coast where he disposd of her body in the sea. The Austin got stuck in a barrier and he had to hitch a lift home.

Next morning police found the Austin and examined it forensically. It was traced back to the mother from papers found in it. Ball denied everything but the forensics were too strong and he changed his story. Said the mother committed suicide, cutting her throat with a safety razor blade, and he was trying to save the family name by disposing of the body. Finding a bloodstained hatchet in the back shed put paid to his story. He was found guilty but insane and spent 14 years in a criminal lunatic asylum. When he came out he spent the next 20 odd years touring the world on the mother's money.

I am following the case in the context of an upcoming TV programme. It was a gruesome murder leading to the comment by the State Pathologist that "there was no blood on the ceiling".

I was interested in the side detail of the policeman starting the car with the pipecleaner (tool). We used to use the silver paper from cigarette packets as contacts/fuses way back. I like these little quality details.

Pól

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Thanks Pól. Fascinating - in a gruesome kind of way.

Location: North Herts

My stepson replaced the fuse for the side lights in his land rover with aluminium foil. shortly afterwards we had to replace a side light fitting, oh and the wiring to the rear of the car.

I like the tale of the chap who used a .22 round as a fuse...

Just remembered - footprints were on the dashboard, not headlining. Minor detail I know, but cases are won and lost on such technicalities. :-0

Location: North Herts

I am reliably informed that a 1933 Box Saloon requires the use of a 2 gallon can to hold the front seats up out of the way..

Not my personal experience, you understand..

Are we drifting off topic?

Location: Cambridge

Ploughing off topic seems more appropriate Hugh, dontcha think?

It would be interesting to find out the reg of the car used in the crime and see it is still around would add to the cars history!

I don't want to contribute to the mortal sin of driving this forum off topic, so to come back to the Austin 7. The reg was a Dublin one Z 6236 and I have no idea what happened to it.

And as far as improvisation is concerned I had a Renault R4 for a number of years, from which the bonnet had come off due to loss of the pins. I reattached it with wire from a coathanger, and for all I know it is still driving around unless disqualified by our NCT (= MOT test).

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Renault 4 Pól? Never mind the bonnet hinge pins, you’re lucky not to have lost your pistons!

Location: Too far from Dublin for a decent pint of Guinness

Ah,the miles I drove in several Quatrelles. I loved all of my R4s and would have another tomorrow. I used to fit my Fender-Rhodes piano into the back by drilling out the rear seat pivot pins and replacing them with screws and wing nuts and, with judicious use of a lump hammer on the rear inner door moulding could close it.
One night I had to take the drummer and his twin kick-drum kit to a gig and we got it all in together with the piano, a DX7 synth, Carlsbro amp and stands. Sat down a bit at the back but…
Sorry to wander off course, it's me age you see.

Location: Ripon