If I may, I'll have the first word - but it is hoped that others will follow. Wouldn't it be nice to add a short anecdote to some of the pictures of old London and/or some of the cars being written about ? Well, I can to some degree. Sorry, I can't talk about London, having never been there to visit what must be a remarkable city. But, I can talk about the Jowett Javelin, for instance. It's not a car that appeals, but it has a flat four boxer engine (one of the first manufacturers ever ?), and some years ago I spotted on at dismantlers situated at Riverstone. It sat there close to the boundary fence, largely complete and I was musing as to why not have someone rescue the car and restore it. Alas, I don't know what's happened to it - it may still be there.
Then take the MG Magnette - very real smart luxury back in 1958 - the year when I arrived as a snotty nosed, but bright eyed kid in this country. We were living in Westbourne Street, Drummoyne at the time, with the Gladesville Bridge not yet having been built. I recall a Ford Customline with the huge star (or whatever it was) parked just down the street, looking resplendent in a two tone colour scheme (white/red ?), and I then saw this quite magnificent MG Magnette driving past my curious eyes, with a good looking hunk and crash hot female sitting by his side. It was a beautiful sunny spring day and I was totally overwhelmed by it all.
Then take the Lagonda 3 litre drophead - yes, I have seen one, belonging to an architect by the name of Whitehead, who had a magnificent property at Warrawee,a very expensive suburb on the North Shore of Sudney - he was also the architect of Bankstown Shopping Centre - if I recall correctly, the first in Sydney before all others that exist now in profusion. He loved his Lagondas, as he had four LG45 Saloons/Dropheads, and he also owned a British Racing Green Lagonda Rapide. The last named has always been a dream of mine - one of very many never fulfilled. I also saw one auctioned off by Goodmans at Double Bay for $25K. It was well used (nicely), but in good condition. At that very same auction, Rene Rivkin's magnificent Mercedes 600 sold for a paltry $40K. - that car owed him $160K. and I believe some lucky Chinese buyer became the new owner. It was at that time that Rivkin started to go 'bad' financially and some of his other cars were at that auction. Regards Styria
