02-10-11, 07:00 PM
1965 Austin Minivan DEX 174C with wide wheels,big-bore exhaust, twin spot & fog lamps in grille, all held together with lashings of rust under the blue paintwork and black roof. This was the dry sprung model not hydrolastic and drove like a go kart. Paid my mate Steve £100 @ £10 a month. Steve passed his bike test before me in 1966 and had a Villiers powered Norman 197cc two-stroke single. I was riding a Lambretta TV175 with polished ports , Ancilloti exhaust, and I could usually beat him from a standing start although eventually he could pip me on top speed. Although slow by modern standards I seem to remember we overtook a lot of cagers. Cars began to get better(quicker) with the crossflow engine Fords. Steves brother had a Janspeed conversion Morris Minor convertible with twin SU carbed 1275 tuned engine. Looked shabby but it shifted! Petrol was 6 bob a gallon in 1965 (30p in modern jargon) Happy days!