Childhood memories or how I caught the PWC bug...

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Attached 2 photos, the first which shows me (the young chap in the middle) at 5 or 6 years with my younger sister and my mother. This must have been about 1965 or 66 and the car is an Austin 12 tourer (I believe).

My dad, a mechanical engineer, frequently worked on prewar car projects, getting the cars roadworthy and ready for spring and summer rides in Hampshire and Sussex where we lived at that time. Come Autumn he'd be itching for a new project and I can remember reading out the adverts in the "Exchange & Mart" on the way to school and being instructed to mark the most interesting adverts so my dad could beat any other punters to it and pick up a bargain. In January 1973 our family emigrated to Switzerland with (among other household articles) 3 old cars: a prewar Morris Minor, an early Austin Chummy and - in driveable condition - a 1936 Singer Le Mans 2 seater sports.

Since Britain had only just joined the EU, we were held up at the  border in Calais by the French customs. It took my dad, his brother and his brother-in-law 2 days to sort out the paper work and to convince the custom officers we weren't trying to dispose of "old english bangers" in France. Mind you, it didn't bother us kids as we could play on the beach and watch the hovercrafts come in from Folkstone at regular intervals with my mother making tea in the caravan. The wintery crossing through France (no motorways...) with the family dog and multiple blankets to keep me warm left a lasting impression -> I had caught the old car bug. I've been an enthusiast  ever since - in particular for the 1930's english makes & models. Two years ago, I finally bought my own PWC (see 2nd picture) - a 1936 Riley Merlin Airline coupe - which I tinker with and tour around Switzerland (avoiding France for obvious reasons...)  

Simon Kernahan

(edition 5000 competition / comp5000 ) 

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