Part 1.
Britain's connection with Australia began in the late 1770s when Captain James Cook claimed the continent then called New Holland, as part of the British Empire.
British settlement of Australia commenced in 1788 with the arrival of the first convicts transported from England. By 1901 the non indigenous population of Australia had reached 3.8 million, most of which, including ex-convicts and free settlers were either English, Scottish or Irish, or their descendants.
With such a strong British influence, British cars were a common sight on Australian roads for 50 years from the 1920s to the early 1970s. At first the cars were imported complete but as demand grew many were built from a combination of imported and locally manufactured components. During the 1950s British cars outsold all other makes in Australia.
Some British cars like MG, Austin Healey, Triumph TR series and Jaguar have since become very desirable collectable classics in Australia. Others may be fondly remembered by a few dedicated individuals and others may be best forgotten.
I grew up in 1950s-1960s and remember many of the cars of that period, some fondly.
To be continued.
1963 Hillman Minx 1600
(
Download)
1969 MGB Roadster
(
Download)
1972 Jaguar XKE V12 Fixed Head Coupe
(
Download)
1957 Austin Healy 100/6
(
Download)
1957 Austin A35. A shopping trolley??
(
Download)
1949 Singer Roadster
(
Download)
1969 Ford Capri 1600 GT
(
Download)
1968 Mini Cooper S
(
Download)
1950 Bedford Ute (pick-up). Note windscreen wiper on the driver's side only!!
(
Download)
1957 Humber Hawk
(
Download)
Thorny Devil wrote:
Part 1.
Britain's connection with Australia began in the late 1770s when Captain James Cook claimed the continent then called New Holland, as part of the British Empire.
British settlement of Australia commenced in 1788 with the arrival of the first convicts transported from England. By 1901 the non indigenous population of Australia had reached 3.8 million, most of which, including ex-convicts and free settlers were either English, Scottish or Irish, or their descendants.
With such a strong British influence, British cars were a common sight on Australian roads for 50 years from the 1920s to the early 1970s. At first the cars were imported complete but as demand grew many were built from a combination of imported and locally manufactured components. During the 1950s British cars outsold all other makes in Australia.
Some British cars like MG, Austin Healey, Triumph TR series and Jaguar have since become very desirable collectable classics in Australia. Others may be fondly remembered by a few dedicated individuals and others may be best forgotten.
I grew up in 1950s-1960s and remember many of the cars of that period, some fondly.
To be continued.
Part 1. br br Britain's connection with Australia... (
show quote)
Great set of images of 50s-60s British cars/trucks. I think the yellow '57 Austin Healey is the best looking of the set and still is today. Did I mention I had a '56 100/6 in red. Downside of all of these vehicles is they all probably used Lucas electronics.
What a really great set. The AH 100/6 is the classiest of the set except not only Lucas electronics but AU carbs.
Reuss Griffiths wrote:
Great set of images of 50s-60s British cars/trucks. I think the yellow '57 Austin Healey is the best looking of the set and still is today. Did I mention I had a '56 100/6 in red. Downside of all of these vehicles is they all probably used Lucas electronics.
Thank you for your comments Reuss. It sounds like Lucas electrics reputation is known world wide. "Lucas the Prince of darkness." Lucas actually stands for Loose Unsoldered Connections And Splices.
Curmudgeon wrote:
What a really great set. The AH 100/6 is the classiest of the set except not only Lucas electronics but AU carbs.
Thanks for your feedback Curmudgeon. I think you meant SU carbs, some replaced them with Webers but it was a tight squeeze. As for Lucas, they are the patent holder of the short circuit.
Note also my comment to Reuss Griffiths about Lucas.
Thorny Devil wrote:
Thanks for your feedback Curmudgeon. I think you meant SU carbs, some replaced them with Webers but it was a tight squeeze. As for Lucas, they are the patent holder of the short circuit.
Note also my comment to Reuss Griffiths about Lucas.
Yeah SU, I don't type too good after mid-night. I had a 62 MGA that would stall in anything more than a heavy mist. Replace the distributer cap and I'd be good for a week or so before the coil wire socket cracked and it would start shorting out again.
Manglesphoto wrote:
Fantastic set!!!!
Thank you for your feedback Frank
Morry
Loc: Palm Springs, CA
A very nice assortment of British cars. I missed seeing the Triumph TR3 and a Morgan.
Thanks for the acknowledgement yssirk.
Great series, Thorny, Jaguar XKE is my favorite.
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.