The Vauxhall Heritage, Luton by William R Blankley

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The Heritage centre is a gem. The quality of the exhibits is impressive, the custodians a fountainhead of knowledge and experience. I was given the guided tour of a lifetime, Covers off, bonnets opened, the OE type 30/98 was started for me (it sounds rather like an A series) and went first turn of the key! Wow! Beneath a genuine yellow Opel dust cover tucked away in a corner was a little grey Opel from 1937 (a Kadet?). It seems that these were assembled in Southampton being supplied CKD. (That means C-Knocked Down apparently) What makes it special to me is that it is an ordinary car in original condition, the sort of vehicle that might be taken for granted to the point of extinction, much the same fate as the Passenger Pigeon. Under the bonnet the engine had a hauntingly familiar look. I knew a simple thank you would have to suffice, I wanted to say so much more but did not know how.

The car park

We were the only obviously coherent group in the car park. Jeff had the OMOC board out with the cars almost in date order, certainly in correct Model order as easy as A,B,C,CC. The now shiny Bronze Dragon had been cunningly parked to begin with so that when Jeff Buck and the crew arrived they formed up in a chorus line. Two shiny A present and correct to lead their proud model derivatives.

There were some interesting Vauxhalls present but they did not seem to be as organised as Jeff, thank you.

After a visit to that other event to look for more Manta, to which we travelled by classic bus, real nostalgia that. It was time to turn homewards reflecting how contemporary inadequacy so easily becomes period charm and that as a timeless example of exquisitely balanced engineering with classic looks a Manta A is the best car in the world.

The traffic had certainly calmed down a lot. Bronze Dragon has a very comfortable cruising notch just below 80 MPH, so it was middle lane stretch out and almost go to sleep. We could certainly admire the view. This sort of driving gets you just under 60 average just over 31 to the gallon. If there is a moral in this it is that a little time saves a lot of gas.

We are fortunate in these roads, forty years ago 80 out of the MG down the Kingston bypass was an event. However, Nanny didn’t slap your wrist for going over 60.

It’s very wrong to drink and drive. The empties get under the gas pedal and slow me down.

If they really want to slow us down steering wheels should have 15cm spikes in the middle by law, not air bags.

William R Blankley

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