Iwent trail riding in my local forest recently. My mate and I came back thoroughly soaked, and very cold. Leaving our bikes to drip in the boot of my car, we retreated to a pub. A pint and some lunch revived us, and we emerged distinctly warmer and more content. And there, lying on the pavement, was a magazine. I guess it had fallen from somebody’s pocket. As that somebody was nowhere to be seen, I picked it up. This wasn’t just any magazine. It was a very intact copy of The Motor, published on 21st May, 1952.
Back home, I made a cup of tea and had a rifle through this treasure. When I reached the Editorial page I burst out laughing. It could hardly have been less appropriate material for a cold, blustery, rainslaked day. Editor Christopher Jennings, MBE no less, was addressing the topic of 'open-air motoring' which, he not unfairly noted, 'the British climate does little to encourage.'
The British love-affair with convertible cars has been remarked upon by automotive writers throughout the history of motoring. 'There are many people,' intoned Mr Jennings, 'who are prepared to accept the minor irritations of the folding roof in order to enjoy the
