This one is Pure Vintage

 

 

 

This is my 1953 Morris Oxford. It is bigger than the Morris Minor. This model was manufactured between 1953 until 1957.This car is completely original with the manufacturer engine and parts. She is in mint condition. It can cary six persons in two bench seats. It is manual transmission with  a fingertip gear lever. I use this one regularly to do errands around the village. If you look at the top picture above the number plate, you will see a small cover. This can be opened by turning upwards to reveal a space where a crank handle can be inserted and you can crank start this car if your battery fails. You will also notice that the windscreen is divided into two sections and the wipers work counter clockwise and opposite to each other.

By today's standard she is a slow car and can reach a maximun speed of 72 mph but back in her time she ws very popular and was among the first cars to be used as route taxis in Trinidad. She is just two and a half years younger than me and sometimes I feel, in better health than me. I have willed this one to my grand son for I know she will outlive me!



1953 Morris Minor

 

 

These pictures are of my other Morris Minor. This one is a regular road car and is used nearly every day to take my nephew's children to school. If you live in the Penal area you must have seen this car. Unlike my other cars this one has been modified with a 1400cc Datsun 120 y engine and you can probably see the spoke rims if you look closely. It is air conditioned and with automatic transmission and front disc brakes. This is truly a ladies car and my wife enjoys driving this car! 



Early Hot Rods

During the period 1919 - 1933 it was illegal to manufacture, transport or consume alcohol in the US. This perion was known as The Prohibition. For bootleggers the most important task was to transport the moonshine to various areas for sale and they needed fast cars with large trunk space to outrun the police. The term "Hot Rod" was coined to mean fast cars and cars used in illegal activities. The practice of outrunning the police is said to be the basis of modern car racing.
The earliest car to be used was the Ford Model T in the first picture. This was manufactured between 1908 to 1928. Incidently Mc Enearney motors in celebrating their 100 year anniversary has one on display at their Port of Spain show room.
Even when prohibition ended, illegal alcohol manufacture continued because of taxes inposed. During the forties the 1940 ford V8 coupe, shown in the second picture was the favourite means of transport. With its powerful V 8 engine it could outrun the police easily, and with a trunk space that could carry between 100 and 130 gallons of moonshine it was ideal for Moonshiners.
The next picture shows a Police Roadblock hoping to catch the Moonshiners.

Pictures taken from Nascar Magazine - Driving with the Devil and the birth of Nascar. Feb 4. 2009 Detroit. US.

My Morris Minor 1953.

 

 

This is one of my two Morris Minors. It is a 1953 model. This car was first manufactured in UK in 1948 until 1972. It carries a 1000 cc engine and is a 4 door sedan. This is a no frills car and was made for the working class people and was the best selling English car of its time. There are quite a few in Trinidad and a very active Morris Minor Club. This car is completely original as parts are not so hard to get in England. If you look carefully at the second picture you will see the indicator, which is a small arm in the middle between the doors.This lifts up and lights to indicate direction of turn.

As you can see I am doing a bit of repairs and this one should be on the road soon. I will feature the other one which is well tuned and running in another post.



The 1954 Rover p4 90

These are pictures of a 1954 Rover P4 90 which is currently being repaired. You will probably notice that the back doors open opposite to the front doors.This is known as suicide doors. I sold this one about two months ago for $35000, quite a bargain. You can see the inside with leather seats and wooden dashboard. In the first picture you see the purchaser who wants to return the car to pristine condition so you will soon see it on the road. I was sorry to let this one go but my collection was becoming to big to manage.
She carries a 2.6 litre straight six cylinder engine and can reach a top speed of 90 mph. This car is completely original and parts are easily availablev in the UK. All you need is a credit card!
When my collection was growing, my wife asked why I was collecting so many. I told her that it was either car or Radica, Monica and Devika!

Beauty!

 

This picture is of a 1942 Ford 2 door Coupe sent to me by my niece in Florida that has been restored. She has a 6 cylinder 3.7 litre engine and I am told runs like a dream. I hope to ride/drive in it when I visit for Christmas.
I have made inquiries for bringing a foriegn vintage vehicle to Trinidad but was told that the age of the vehicle does not allow this. One can only do so if one is a returning resident and has owned the vehicle for over two years.







My 1969 Vauxhall Cresta

This is my 1969  Vauxhall Cresta. It is a big car and was the English answer to the American Chevrolet. It targeted the professionals in England who wanted a big car but could not afford a Mercedes or a Jaguar. I bought this one from a returned resident from England. I can lie down comfortbly in the back seat. It carries a 3.3 litre engine and automatic transmission and power steering. I have installed Air Conditioning for added comfort. She runs like a dream and because of the size I hardly feel the bumps on the road but she is difficult to park in small spaces especially in COOSTATT  south carpark!
As youcan see in the Ad, when this car was introduced in Trinidad in 1969, the cost was $4999 plus 20 % purchase tax! I wonder what it's worth now? Any offers?