Stapylton Field
Main Board
contact
where?
home
museum
contributors
former staff
editlog
Vic's notes
hot threads
ORIGINAL MESSAGE
NAME: Stephen Giles
DATE: 12 September 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
I always thought that over the years my cars had failed the MOT on pretty well everything going, until today when my 2003 Nissan Micra (baby to our Nissan Qashqai!!) failed on a ripped passenger seat belt, which is going to cost £150 or so + VAT to replace. What other unusual MOT failures have been experienced?
RESTRICTED THREAD: please make motoring the main subject of your reply.
1st REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
.jpg "James Cowen gallery")
Then & NowDATE: 19 September 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
It is annoying, Stephen, how more demanding the MOT is today than in the days of yore when first introduced. It is as if for the sake of sales of new cars from the vast motor industry firms they want to get older cars off the road. Of course there are also some politicians such as Boris Johnson, who for the sake of new findings on air pollution, want all diesel cars over one year old off the roads. We are told one thing one year and it is reversed the next, a bit like advice on what food we should eat or not. I have had a lovely red Jaguar XJS for many years but at its last MOT it took weeks for my local garage to get the emissions controls right to pass the MOT. Alas it has now gone to be replaced by a campervan and my wife is delighted by it. The seats in it are actually as comfortable as the Jaguar's leather seats were. As for MOTs in the past there was a garage in Borehamwood well known for giving easy MOT passes. With my old bangers I used them every year.
NAME: Roger Nolan 
DATE: 20 September 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
Re reply 1: I suspect Jas you may be referring to J & M Motors run by Jack and Mick who had a workshop at the end of a gravel drive just off Boreham Wood high street in the 1960's. I used to get my MOT done there and as soon as I arrived they would write up the new certificate and then proceed to test the car. The brake test merely consisted of one of them driving the car at speed on the gravel driveway and then slamming the brakes on. If the car failed the MOT for any reason, they would give me the certificate and say "of course you're going to fix that yourself aren't you!" as they knew I used to do a lot of the work on the car myself. Nevertheless, I had immense respect for the two of them who were old fashioned mechanics. I once had the gear box go on my Mini and they put a new gear wheel in. These days they would just replace the whole gear box.
DATE: 20 September 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
Re reply 1: I suspect Jas you may be referring to J & M Motors run by Jack and Mick who had a workshop at the end of a gravel drive just off Boreham Wood high street in the 1960's. I used to get my MOT done there and as soon as I arrived they would write up the new certificate and then proceed to test the car. The brake test merely consisted of one of them driving the car at speed on the gravel driveway and then slamming the brakes on. If the car failed the MOT for any reason, they would give me the certificate and say "of course you're going to fix that yourself aren't you!" as they knew I used to do a lot of the work on the car myself. Nevertheless, I had immense respect for the two of them who were old fashioned mechanics. I once had the gear box go on my Mini and they put a new gear wheel in. These days they would just replace the whole gear box.
NAME: Stephen Giles
DATE: 22 September 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
I'm sure that's the place I use to take my trusty 1953 Morris Minor Not actually mine as I shared it with my mother - she always complained that I never left it for her with any petrol in the tank!
DATE: 22 September 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: inmate 1957-64
I'm sure that's the place I use to take my trusty 1953 Morris Minor Not actually mine as I shared it with my mother - she always complained that I never left it for her with any petrol in the tank!
NAME: Alan Pyle 
DATE: 24 September 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1948-1953
I purchased my first 'wheels', a Lambretta 150cc scooter and had an initial 5 minute lesson on it in Glenhaven Avenue. For on the corner was a motor cycle shop owned by Cyril Brine. He was a Borehamwood boy and speedway star. I used the machine to commute to central London, Portman Square every day.
DATE: 24 September 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1948-1953
I purchased my first 'wheels', a Lambretta 150cc scooter and had an initial 5 minute lesson on it in Glenhaven Avenue. For on the corner was a motor cycle shop owned by Cyril Brine. He was a Borehamwood boy and speedway star. I used the machine to commute to central London, Portman Square every day.
5th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 25 September 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Good to hear from you again, Roger [reply 2]. I for one have missed any recent contributions from you. I hope you and your family are well and are still able to enjoy cycling about. You are right about the garage. J&M Motors it was and what you said sums up Jack and Mick's attitude entirely. I am glad our local garage has a similar attitude apart from a strict MOT coming from where they send my vehicles, not doing testing themselves alas.
6th 
REPLY
Then & NowDATE: 28 September 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Ah yes, Alan, I remember the motor cycle shop owned by Cyril Brine well but I recall him occupying a premises in the Arcade, which was on that side of the road and almost opposite to Drayton Road. Maybe he did also have premises at the corner of Glenhaven Avenue before or after or even at the same time. I think my younger brother John (at QEs 1958-62) bought his motorbikes from there. He had both a Triumph 650 cc and a BSA 650cc before I had bought a bike and I was a pillion passenger on one of them to my college in Cambridge before ever acquiring a motorbike myself. I remember talking with Cyril Brine about M/C racing and especially the Isle of Man TTs. I used to cycle on my Claude Butler pedal bike to my work in Central London but later got several BSA 150cc and 175cc and a Honda Dream 300cc bike. I wasn't in to scooters in those days but later did get a Vespa, which also was much used.
More thoughts about the Arcade in W9/49.
NAME: Derek Scudder
DATE: 01 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
I remember your brother John and his A10 BSA, Jas. We used to see each other from time to time, when I was still riding on the road. I seem to recall that his bike was stolen at one point, although he did eventually get it back.
DATE: 01 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
I remember your brother John and his A10 BSA, Jas. We used to see each other from time to time, when I was still riding on the road. I seem to recall that his bike was stolen at one point, although he did eventually get it back.
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 04 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
You are right, Derek. My brother John did have one of his bikes stolen. Incidentally he did not bear any grudge for the person who took it, but in fact went into a partnership arrangement with him in the building trade. The person concerned used to buy presents for my brother's children. They are still friends.
On the subject of motor bikes and scooters, do any contributors still ride on any of them? I note in the Daily Mail Weekend publication of 27th September that Michel Roux Senior, the renowned chef, has at age 73 a Honda CBF600, which he has travelled over 1000 kilometres on. One of my adult friends in Amesbury has a Harley Davidson, which he loves and uses to ride about on at weekends. As for myself I cannot see myself reverting to two-wheeled motor transport after having experienced the comfort of car and campervan, despite sweet memories of my enjoying the fresh air and the enjoyment of leaning round those bends. I do still have a pedal cycle and may once again, when my hip is well, experience the fresh air and local views travelling more slowly. I also hope to walk along fast again rather than creeping along, as in recent times. All you with good legs and hips be thankful!
Then & NowDATE: 04 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
You are right, Derek. My brother John did have one of his bikes stolen. Incidentally he did not bear any grudge for the person who took it, but in fact went into a partnership arrangement with him in the building trade. The person concerned used to buy presents for my brother's children. They are still friends.
On the subject of motor bikes and scooters, do any contributors still ride on any of them? I note in the Daily Mail Weekend publication of 27th September that Michel Roux Senior, the renowned chef, has at age 73 a Honda CBF600, which he has travelled over 1000 kilometres on. One of my adult friends in Amesbury has a Harley Davidson, which he loves and uses to ride about on at weekends. As for myself I cannot see myself reverting to two-wheeled motor transport after having experienced the comfort of car and campervan, despite sweet memories of my enjoying the fresh air and the enjoyment of leaning round those bends. I do still have a pedal cycle and may once again, when my hip is well, experience the fresh air and local views travelling more slowly. I also hope to walk along fast again rather than creeping along, as in recent times. All you with good legs and hips be thankful!
9th 
REPLY
.jpg "Nigel Wood")
DATE: 22 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
Ah yes, Stephen, Morris Minors! I had several of them at once many years ago, keeping some for spares. I preferred the 1956-62 vintage with 948 cc engine and proper lids to the glove compartments. Never had, nor wanted, the earlier split-screen model. I once thought of putting a map of SE England on a wall at home and sticking in small flags at places where I'd run into the backs of other vehicles, owing to poor driving and underpowered and under-maintained brakes. I remember taking one Minor in to my usual mot garage and being told "Reckon this one's terminal, guv." The dreaded underbody corrosion. I think I had to press a half-timbered 'Traveller' into service. In hot weather a friend of mine with another Traveller used to water the moss that grew in the opened-up joints and rot-holes in the woodwork of hers. She later became a headmistress. Alas, the Morris Minors were long ago replaced in my life by sensible cars that use little more than half the fuel for the same mileage, can be stopped fairly safely even at the last minute, and in which one can hold a conversation or listen to the radio without competing roars and rattles.
NAME: Roger Nolan
DATE: 27 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
A good friend, Keith Pugh, who was a contemporary of mine at QE but who sadly died a few years ago, had a convertible Morris Minor in the late sixties, affectionately known as a 'rag top jelly mould'. His engine packed up and he and I spent a weekend replacing it with what was described in those days as a 'guaranteed second hand engine'. The Morris Minor was a dream to work on, so easy compared with my Mini which I had at the time and I can remember a whole crowd of us would pile into his car with the hood down in all weathers, absolutely freezing. Happy Days!
DATE: 27 October 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1960 to 1967
A good friend, Keith Pugh, who was a contemporary of mine at QE but who sadly died a few years ago, had a convertible Morris Minor in the late sixties, affectionately known as a 'rag top jelly mould'. His engine packed up and he and I spent a weekend replacing it with what was described in those days as a 'guaranteed second hand engine'. The Morris Minor was a dream to work on, so easy compared with my Mini which I had at the time and I can remember a whole crowd of us would pile into his car with the hood down in all weathers, absolutely freezing. Happy Days!
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & Now
DATE: 01 November 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
One of the three lodgers who lived with me in my home in Oakwood Avenue, Boreham Wood, after my father had died, had a Morris Minor 1000 2-door saloon. He used to love to take me for a drive in it in icy weather. He would be driving along one of the Hertfordshire lanes and suddenly spin it round on the icy lane with a whoop of joy. I was certainly glad when we arrived at one of my old college's friends house in Flaunden but it did not stop him repeating the spinning on the way back. I note in the Wikipedia entry on the Morris Minor that it describes the Minor as a roomy vehicle with superior cornering and handling characteristics. My lodger certainly showed this on road conditions. It also says that Sir Alex Issigonis' concept was to combine the luxury and convenience of a good motor car at a price affordable by the working classes. Apart from the spinning on the ice I certainly found the car comfortable. Of course there are many Morris 1000s and Travellers still about.
Production of the Traveller [reply 9] ceased in 1972 and the final major upgrades to the Minor 1000 10 years earlier in 1962. At about 1967 my cousin Michael had a Morris 1000 and I thought at the time it was a car long ceased to be produced. I received a minor rebuke from my Auntie Joy, who told me that it was a new car only recently produced and not a veteran from a previous age. One of my wife's friends Sally also had a Morris 1000 and we used to tease her a bit as she used to go round roundabouts several times before going off the correct exit.
REPLY Then & NowDATE: 01 November 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
One of the three lodgers who lived with me in my home in Oakwood Avenue, Boreham Wood, after my father had died, had a Morris Minor 1000 2-door saloon. He used to love to take me for a drive in it in icy weather. He would be driving along one of the Hertfordshire lanes and suddenly spin it round on the icy lane with a whoop of joy. I was certainly glad when we arrived at one of my old college's friends house in Flaunden but it did not stop him repeating the spinning on the way back. I note in the Wikipedia entry on the Morris Minor that it describes the Minor as a roomy vehicle with superior cornering and handling characteristics. My lodger certainly showed this on road conditions. It also says that Sir Alex Issigonis' concept was to combine the luxury and convenience of a good motor car at a price affordable by the working classes. Apart from the spinning on the ice I certainly found the car comfortable. Of course there are many Morris 1000s and Travellers still about.
Production of the Traveller [reply 9] ceased in 1972 and the final major upgrades to the Minor 1000 10 years earlier in 1962. At about 1967 my cousin Michael had a Morris 1000 and I thought at the time it was a car long ceased to be produced. I received a minor rebuke from my Auntie Joy, who told me that it was a new car only recently produced and not a veteran from a previous age. One of my wife's friends Sally also had a Morris 1000 and we used to tease her a bit as she used to go round roundabouts several times before going off the correct exit.
12th REPLY
NAME: Nigel WoodDATE: 02 November 2014
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1957-64
I thought that going around roundabouts several times before leaving was a standard technique. It's certainly one I use when confused or needing thinking time, which is quite often. Many years ago I did one of those spin-turn things by accident in a Morris Minor on the road that goes over Box Hill, just before the descent of the scarp. Fortunately it was in the small hours of the night, and there was nothing else on the road. But some of my previous life flashed before me in the few seconds of the incident. I was very surprised that the car came to rest quite soon only a little way off the road, and did so undamaged. My party trick with the Minor was to turn the ignition off for a couple of seconds while driving along. Unburnt fuel-air mixture would then be pumped into the exhaust pipe and silencer, and would ignite with a bang when the ignition was turned back on. It was interesting to see the effect on pedestrians when driving through a high street. Doing it too many times it would worry any passengers and would wreck the silencer, but on balance I thought it worth it.
13th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 15 October 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I enjoyed the recent programme shown on TV about classic cars and the preparation of specially constructed ones to race in a Goodwood race spectacular, possibly at the Festival of Speed, though I may be corrected on that. It was interesting to see that some cars are not done up and pretified but left in their original bodywork unpainted up. There was one such car this year at the Great Dorset Steam Fair procession of cars. At the steam fair also was a well kept Morris Traveller [see reply 9] in white on display. There was also a VW with part of the number plate JAS, as I was usually called at QEs. There was also A British Road Services lorry, not to be seen generally on our roads these days. I have not yet been to the Goodwood Festival of Speed but maybe I will manage it one year, if we are spared. The 'JAS' VW and other Great Steam Fair pics will be appearing soon in a fourth 'book' in Jas' gallery.
14th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 09 November 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
As reference has been made to Morris Travellers on this thread I enjoyed listening to Steve Coogan (aka Alan Partridge and other characters) on Saturday Live the other day. His family car was a Traveller and has in recent times bought one in tribute to the nostalgia of his young days, especially remembering the smell from the vinyl seats and the inability of the brakes to stop the car in any emergency. He was told he could have leather seats but said "No thanks. I want the vinyl." He recalls tales of moving along and shouting out "No brakes" in certain situations. I hope the brakes are now improved.
Back to top
Add reply
All WW threads
Main Board