A bag of memories

Author
Discussion

Hoofy

Original Poster:

77,494 posts

289 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
I was thinking of putting together a smallish holdall of classic car memorabilia. Stuff like a cranking handle, an old AA badge, etc.

Thing is - what's the "etc" going to be? I don't want it to be expensive stuff as I expect things to "disappear". biggrin

The bag won't be big - maybe 50cm long. I would bring it to local care homes so that the residents could reminisce over old times, talk about their first car or a trip out with their parents to the beach when they were a kid. The activities coordinator could also take out things in front of a group and ask things like, "Does anyone know what this is? No? Nobody? It's the left bracket from the number plate of a 1940s Alvis. Oh dear, your dementia is getting worse isn't it." hehe Just visualising Marjorie Dawes doing this.



But on a serious note, what would be in the bag?

Edited by Hoofy on Wednesday 22 May 09:23

Riley Blue

21,634 posts

233 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
A few to get you going:

Feu Orange air freshener
I-Spy Book of Cars
AA Book and key
Set of points
Dunlop tyre pressure gauge
Self-adhesive window pennant for Brighton/Clacton/Weston-Super-Mare

Turbobanana

6,743 posts

208 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
Chamois leather.
Can of WD40.
Feeler gauge.
Furry dice.
AA Road Atlas, preferably from about 1973.

jeremyc

24,552 posts

291 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
I'd say a can of 3-in-1 oil rather than WD40.

Wooden clothes peg for the choke.
A fan belt and replacement pair of tights.
Green Shield stamps book.
Petrol ration book.
Krooklock.

moffspeed

2,901 posts

214 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
A great idea, please do it.

A few ideas - a Lucas parking light, a clothes peg for your BMC manual choke (ETA - already mentioned) and a bumper earthing strap.

The earthing strap allegedly reduced static and “cured” car sickness. Of course this was a load of nonsense. I’m amazed they’re still available today - but instead of being anonymous black rubber the contemporary versions incorporate lighting flash icons/reflectors/LEDs. No doubt they are far more effective and also cure your piles.






Edited by moffspeed on Wednesday 22 May 10:31

Lotobear

7,148 posts

135 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
String back gloves

Watcher of the skies

665 posts

44 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
Tin of Isopon laugh

Jordie Barretts sock

6,018 posts

26 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
A can of this...



Although I believe you sensitive Brits called it something else...


Hoofy

Original Poster:

77,494 posts

289 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
Thanks, all. Some amusing things there. I was thinking relating to older cars eg from the 30s to 50s.

I suppose I could nick stuff from the next Brooklands event when someone leaves their bonnet up. hehe

CharlieAlphaMike

1,167 posts

112 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
Ashtray full of fag ends!

Hoofy

Original Poster:

77,494 posts

289 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
CharlieAlphaMike said:
Ashtray full of fag ends!
I will throw a MaccyD's milkshake at them as I drive past.

Mr Tidy

24,337 posts

134 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
You already said old AA badge, but what about those CSMA and Veteran Motorist ones? My uncle had both and AA ones on his 1100, but Dad just had RAC. Veteran Motorist even made pin badges as well.

Loved the parking light suggestion as my Dad wired up a connection for one in his Hillman Minx when we visited my Aunt in the 60s as they were compulsory in the Met Police area if you parked on the street at night.

It would make your bag heavier, but maybe an old bottle jack - mechanical for the 30s/50 era or hydraulic for a bit later.

One of those "disc brakes" stickers from the 60s would be good for that later era too.

ouninpohja

199 posts

166 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
Wire coat hanger for makeshift aerial

AMGSee55

666 posts

109 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
You’d need a bigger bag, but perhaps one of those bead seat cover thingys.

Brinyan

425 posts

100 months

Thursday 23rd May
quotequote all
Round tin of travel sweets

Turbobanana

6,743 posts

208 months

Thursday 23rd May
quotequote all
"Running in - please pass" rear window sticker.
One of those earth strap things that claimed to prevent car sickness.
Wire wheel spinner mallet.

shed driver

2,359 posts

167 months

Thursday 23rd May
quotequote all
A magnetic St. Christopher for the dashboard.

A eight track tape.

Why not print out a few of the old brochures?

SD.

Riley Blue

21,634 posts

233 months

Thursday 23rd May
quotequote all
Bullet hole stickers
Tiger tail
Green Shield stamps
Petrol coupons

brownspeed

854 posts

138 months

Thursday 23rd May
quotequote all
a sticker with the warning "DISCS"

markymarkthree

2,545 posts

178 months

Thursday 23rd May
quotequote all
Mk1 Cortina rear light.
Probably the most easily recognized rear light.

Puncture repair tin.
An old Lodge spark plug.
Trafficator arm.
Old tax disc.
Red driving license.
Old style log book.