Ileft school with no qualifications and the sole intention of spending my life as a rock and roll piano player as I had been doing this since the age of 13. My old dad was a wise man and had clearly observed the fact that my musical ambitions clearly outstripped my talents so persuaded me “just in case” to hedge my bets with an apprenticeship at our local Rover Dealer, Fred Dinsdales in Stockton.
This was 1963 and I absolutely loved working on the tools but then I bought a Series E Morris 8 with a knackered petrol tank for eight quid. I filled the glass washer bottle with petrol and gravity fed it to the carb. As a runner I was able to sell it for 15 quid. My mate’s dad then gave me a Ford 100e van that he’d bought to rob some parts off so I used the 15 quid to replace the parts and other than a rotten driver’s side sill it wasn’t too bad.
Looking for inspiration I spotted a sign for Lyons Ice Cream. The aluminium from that was swiftly converted into a cover sill, pop riveted on and given a quick coat of black paint to match the rest of the van. A £95 bargain advert was placed in the Evening Gazette and soon produced a man and wife who were impressed with this smart little van.
As the guy was counting the money out his wife crouched down to examine the underside. Hey she says to her hubby, there’s something written on here. What’s it say? he asks She replies Lyons Mivvi ninepence. Interestingly enough he still carried on counting his money! I moved into car sales in 1965, became a garage owner, auctioneer, and general wheeler dealer thereafter! Now in my mid seventies my main business interests are in property but I’ve retained my love of cars and everything car related ever since and it can all be traced back to that first 8 quid – money well spent!!
Submitted by: Terry Owens
