Wigan Album

during the Suez crisis i think you could drive with L plates with no driver sat at the side of you

Brian. You had to have a driver accompanying you, who held a full driving licence, for the class of vehicle being driven, even in the late fifties.

i have just had a look on google learner drivers could drive unaccompanied during the Suez crisis

LDB is correct, during the Suez crisis we did a lot of miles on L plates with no experienced driver in our 1930odd Standard Little Nine, when we could get the petrol that is as it was rationed!!

I do remember going to places with no other driver in the car and talk of Suez and rationing of petrol, and I remember the car broke down a few times.

Relative to the Suez crisis, Brian. I was serving in Germany, in 1956, in R.A.F. So I am unable to comment on that particular period.

We used to go to Ainsdale, as soon as we were settled, up would go the bonnet of our Vauxhall...TMT30....& Dad would disappear !

No criticism intended Albert, but for the lads serving out there the crisis may have gone on much longer.

Anyone tell the make and model?

Brian. I wasn't intending any criticism. I was referring to the reason that I was unaware of the regulation, in respect of being allowed to drive, as a learner driver, without being accompanied with a qualified driver.

Gary, don't know the model, but it is almost certainly a Morris of pre world war 11 vintage.

No problem Albert I just was not sure if you needed a driver or not and Gary I don't know the year and make, it was taken in the late 1950s.

Derek.B "Could it be a Morris Cowley?"

Albert, I think Morris dropped the Cowley marque for quite a long time and it was only resurrected in the mid-fifties. I think their larger saloons would only be designated Morris 10 or 12 when this car was new.

My dad drove something similar and on its retirement to the backyard i turned it into a submarine. Its amazing how many kids[crew]you can fit into the empty engine bay of a late 30's Hillman Minx.

DerekB. Having looked at the Morris website. It is as you say, a Morris 10/4, or 12/4. Looking at them, they are exactly as the one Brian's dad owned.

Thanks everyone for you comments I was only about 6 or 7 so I didn't take everything in about cars and things then.