Observer's Book of Automobiles : 1962
Discussion
I'm unsure if there would be an appetite for this, but here we go.
About four years ago, at Ludlow market, I bought a well-preserved copy of the 1962 edition of The Observer's Book of Automobiles with the Foreword written by a certain Stirling Moss O.B.E. (as he was titled at the time). I dip into it regularly, noting cars I've never heard of, descriptions of their appearance, and potted histories of manufacturers like Studebaker and Pontiac.
For example, I've just read this opening paragraph for Riley Motors Ltd. :-
Rileys started business, originally as a family concern, in 1896, the first Riley car designed by Percy Riley appearing on the roads of Britain in 1898. Since then the various models produced by the company have gained a world-wide reputation. In high performance and in the average run of everyday motoring, the name Riley has achieved great renown
The description goes on, and is repeated for the likes of Wolseley and Jaguar and Renault. Then there are the listings, descriptions, and images of the cars for each marque. Consider that in 1962, Volkswagen were manufacturing three models : The Beetle (officially the Volkswagen De Luxe Saloon), the 1500 Saloon, and the 1500 Karmann-Ghia Coupe!
Anyway, I'm happy to cherry-pick the interesting words and images from the book if only for interest and to maybe jog some memories.,
About four years ago, at Ludlow market, I bought a well-preserved copy of the 1962 edition of The Observer's Book of Automobiles with the Foreword written by a certain Stirling Moss O.B.E. (as he was titled at the time). I dip into it regularly, noting cars I've never heard of, descriptions of their appearance, and potted histories of manufacturers like Studebaker and Pontiac.
For example, I've just read this opening paragraph for Riley Motors Ltd. :-
Rileys started business, originally as a family concern, in 1896, the first Riley car designed by Percy Riley appearing on the roads of Britain in 1898. Since then the various models produced by the company have gained a world-wide reputation. In high performance and in the average run of everyday motoring, the name Riley has achieved great renown
The description goes on, and is repeated for the likes of Wolseley and Jaguar and Renault. Then there are the listings, descriptions, and images of the cars for each marque. Consider that in 1962, Volkswagen were manufacturing three models : The Beetle (officially the Volkswagen De Luxe Saloon), the 1500 Saloon, and the 1500 Karmann-Ghia Coupe!
Anyway, I'm happy to cherry-pick the interesting words and images from the book if only for interest and to maybe jog some memories.,
There's some memories. I had a couple from the late 60's early 70's wonder where they went.
Still have Observers Book of Birds that I got a a prize at school 1961. I was second in class but they gave 2nd prize to the first girl, I got "Progress" prize.
Still wrankles 60 years on - ha ha.. He and she went on to be head boy & head girl. Favouritism - nah surely not.
Next year I was 17th in class, Teacher didn't like me that year as I was hopeless at football. But I digress.....
Still have Observers Book of Birds that I got a a prize at school 1961. I was second in class but they gave 2nd prize to the first girl, I got "Progress" prize.
Still wrankles 60 years on - ha ha.. He and she went on to be head boy & head girl. Favouritism - nah surely not.
Next year I was 17th in class, Teacher didn't like me that year as I was hopeless at football. But I digress.....
As a 1968 registration, my technical interest in the finer points of the automobile started in the mid 1970s so my Observer's Book was the 1975 edition, with a white Lotus Elite on the cover.
I was always fascinated by the name "Olyslager Organisation", the people that compiled it.
These were really good, useful books that engaged the (mainly younger) audience: the proof is that we still remember them 50+ years on. Today we have Google.
I was always fascinated by the name "Olyslager Organisation", the people that compiled it.
These were really good, useful books that engaged the (mainly younger) audience: the proof is that we still remember them 50+ years on. Today we have Google.
I have “Automobiles” from 1957 (also with a Stirling Moss foreword), 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, and then “Cars” from 1987, 1988, 1990.
I’ve also got “Vintage Cars and Pre-war classics” from 1982 (which appears to be the first year it was published).
My favourite is the 1960 Dumpy Pocket Book of Cars & Commercial Vehicles.
I’ve also got “Vintage Cars and Pre-war classics” from 1982 (which appears to be the first year it was published).
My favourite is the 1960 Dumpy Pocket Book of Cars & Commercial Vehicles.
Jader1973 said:
I have “Automobiles” from 1957 (also with a Stirling Moss foreword), 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, and then “Cars” from 1987, 1988, 1990.
I’ve also got “Vintage Cars and Pre-war classics” from 1982 (which appears to be the first year it was published).
My favourite is the 1960 Dumpy Pocket Book of Cars & Commercial Vehicles.
Cars are legally different from automobiles inasmuch as they are a vehicle and used in commerce and therefore they and their driver are subject to registration, licencing, taxing and other laws, whereas automobiles are not. This distinction is not one that people are generally aware of.I’ve also got “Vintage Cars and Pre-war classics” from 1982 (which appears to be the first year it was published).
My favourite is the 1960 Dumpy Pocket Book of Cars & Commercial Vehicles.
I have the 1973 Observers books of Automobiles from 1973 still sitting on bookshelf, I remember buying in W H Smith in Maidenhead when I was 13 years old in June 1973, I went shopping with my mum and bought it with my hard-earned pocket money.
Ironically that day was also very memorable as on the way back from Maidenhead towards home at Holyport we approached a roundabout in the left hand lane and to our right a yellow Lamborghini pulled up beside us to stop for the roundabout, it was Rod Stewart in LUC 38K, I remember a pretty female passenger also in the car but don’t know who it was, the sight and sound of that car has remained with me since and every time I look at that book the memory floods back.
Ironically that day was also very memorable as on the way back from Maidenhead towards home at Holyport we approached a roundabout in the left hand lane and to our right a yellow Lamborghini pulled up beside us to stop for the roundabout, it was Rod Stewart in LUC 38K, I remember a pretty female passenger also in the car but don’t know who it was, the sight and sound of that car has remained with me since and every time I look at that book the memory floods back.
Jader1973 said:
I have “Automobiles” from 1957 (also with a Stirling Moss foreword), 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, and then “Cars” from 1987, 1988, 1990.
I’ve also got “Vintage Cars and Pre-war classics” from 1982 (which appears to be the first year it was published).
My favourite is the 1960 Dumpy Pocket Book of Cars & Commercial Vehicles.
I had the Dumpy book too. Also my favourite. It was indeed dumpy in shape and weight.I’ve also got “Vintage Cars and Pre-war classics” from 1982 (which appears to be the first year it was published).
My favourite is the 1960 Dumpy Pocket Book of Cars & Commercial Vehicles.
Gemaeden said:
Cars are legally different from automobiles inasmuch as they are a vehicle and used in commerce and therefore they and their driver are subject to registration, licencing, taxing and other laws, whereas automobiles are not. This distinction is not one that people are generally aware of.
Surely you jest!piper said:
a yellow Lamborghini pulled up beside us to stop for the roundabout, it was Rod Stewart in LUC 38K, I remember a pretty female passenger also in the car but don’t know who it was,
I was going to suggest Britt Ekland but she was 2 years later ,Wikipedia suggests a Dee Harrington in 1973 ,but knowing Rod's reputation could have been anybody .On topic ,I had these books too ,probably early 70s .Long since thrown away .
Pica-Pica said:
My guess is that it starts with the AC Ace, and ended with a ZIL of some description.
Just had a look, and the first entry is Abarth, specifically this:-The 850 Spyder (the above is the actual picture in my copy of the book). Four-cylinder 833cc engine, rear mounted; 52bhp and a maximum speed of 100mph (approx).
Last entry is indeed a Zavod Imeni Likachev; this one:-
A 111-V Cabriolet. 5980cc V8, 200bhp, compression ratio 9:1. I'd half expect a Cadillac badge on that!
Super Sonic said:
Gemaeden said:
Cars are legally different from automobiles inasmuch as they are a vehicle and used in commerce and therefore they and their driver are subject to registration, licencing, taxing and other laws, whereas automobiles are not. This distinction is not one that people are generally aware of.
Surely you jest!Gemaeden said:
Super Sonic said:
Gemaeden said:
Cars are legally different from automobiles inasmuch as they are a vehicle and used in commerce and therefore they and their driver are subject to registration, licencing, taxing and other laws, whereas automobiles are not. This distinction is not one that people are generally aware of.
Surely you jest!https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/secti...
Riley Blue said:
Gemaeden said:
Super Sonic said:
Gemaeden said:
Cars are legally different from automobiles inasmuch as they are a vehicle and used in commerce and therefore they and their driver are subject to registration, licencing, taxing and other laws, whereas automobiles are not. This distinction is not one that people are generally aware of.
Surely you jest!https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/secti...
If you search the government website for 'automobile' (https://www.google.com/search?q=site:https://www.legislation.gov.uk+%22automobile%22) you will find that pretty well all the references are to motorsport, which is non commercial - i.e. the automobile is not carrying goods or passengers for reward. You'll note that the 'Royal Automobile Club' which was a private organisation has now changed to a limited liability commercial organisation, thus enabling the government to get its sticky fingers involved.
This growing awareness of the overreach of government interference with our everyday lives is being tested with increasing success in America, which derives its law of the right to travel from the English common law that was around when the colonies gained independence.
Naturally, if motoring enthusiasts aren't aware of the distinction, you can be sure that the police and magistrates won't know either, so they have to be informed too. I understand that most can't be bothered with the hassle and find it easier to give in to these rules. That is no longer my life path, I now realise that no-one ever complied their way to a better life.
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