The story of Annie

By Carl Delprat

THE STORY OF ANNIE came from my love of motor vehicles, and I have been fortunate enough to own a number of them. Like for instance ... a Porsche 911 (996), A Studebaker Grand Terisimo Hawk, two Citroen Traction Avant’s, a Citroen CX, a Citroen D, Special, a Citroen DS 21, three Mini’s, a Triumph 2500 pi, a MG B, A MG Midget, an Alfa Romeo Giulietta, a 1938 Oldsmobile, a Simca Aronde, a Subaru Leone, a Mazda 323, a Ford Transit a Peugeot 203, a Honda Accord Euro and so on and so on.
And what do I miss the most? — The Citroen Traction Avant.
And which car gave me the most enjoyment? — The Alfa Romeo Giulietta JTD-M twin-clutch Progression with a QV pack. At my age it does everything I need and makes me feel happy.
The Triumph would often try to kill me when its six butterfly’s would sometimes jam open. The Porsche almost did the same when the accelerator cable unexpectedly jammed and
Out of this select lot some were partially restored and four were completely restored.
With that inventory now out of the way, lets get onto this story ...
After involvement with various car clubs, it becomes evident that many of these old vehicles have had long interesting careers. Cars that have survived for up to 70 years could have experienced almost everything humans are capable of.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carl Delprat
• Release date: Jul 2, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310580796

Carl Delprat

Carl Delprat is a prolific storyteller. His home is the Australian coastal city of Newcastle, New South Wales.

Book preview

The story of Annie

Or the events in the life of a little red sports car

Light reading at its best.

A collection of short interrelated stories written by

Carl Delprat.

Storymaker

Copyright 2015 Carl Delprat

ISBN: 9781310580796

This second edition 23/07/05.

Cover design painted by Carl Delprat.

This one’s for my Dad and all those great times we spent together.

And thanks to Herb, Carmel and Carmen for all thair help.

*******©*******

ISBN: 978-0-9807377-6-9

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. Any coincidences are only accidental, this is fiction and all the names came out of the ether.

*******(©)*******

First edition: 11th July 2015

Other excellent stories by Carl Delprat are ~

31 LAMAN STREET. Is where an evil ghost wreaks havoc amongst the locals.

THE THREE TREES. An international serial murder mystery set in the 1950’s.

GIRL SOLDIERS. A futuristic global adventure where the girls have taken over.

ALL STRINGS ATTACHED. Find out what happens after a mysterious glowing object is discovered in a coal seam. Based on Steven Hawkins ‘string-theory.’

DREAMMAN. Is where a young man uses his dreams to fight for good over evil.

THE STORY OF ANNIE. The long life of a MG-TC roadster.

A FEED OF FISH WITH FREDDY. A chocolate box selection of short stories.

WHAT ABOUT MADELYN? A political catfight between two rivals.

THE HARPSICHORD MAN. A tale about a criminal harpsichord builder.

Note: My novels are in Australian English, and … indicates talking while ‘…’ signifies thinking.

***********(o)**********

Contents

A note from the author

More books by Carl Delprat, Storymaker

About Carl Delprat

Chapter 1: The introduction

Chapter 2: Money changes hands

Chapter 3: A country climate

Chapter 4: Go forth and multiply

Chapter 5: the case of the missing TC

Chapter 6: Escape from fate

Chapter 7: Good luck, bad luck

Chapter 8: The long slow recovery

Chapter 9: Coming together at last

Chapter 10: Sowing oats

Chapter 11: Second retirement

Chapter 12: The power of a wish

Chapter 13: Back on track

Chapter 14: New times new friends

Chapter 15: Trevor’s run

Chapter 16: Next makeover

Chapter 17: Voices from the past

Chapter 18: Another rebirth

Chapter 19: The case is closed

Chapter 20: The last segments

**********(0)**********

A note from the author

THE STORY OF ANNIE came from my love of motor vehicles, and I have been fortunate enough to own a number of them.

Like for instance … a Porsche 911 (996), A Studebaker Grand Terisimo Hawk, two Citroen Traction Avant’s, a Citroen CX, a Citroen D, Special, a Citroen DS 21, three Mini’s, a Triumph 2500 pi, a MG B, A MG Midget, an Alfa Romeo Giulietta, a 1938 Oldsmobile, a Simca Aronde, a Subaru Leone, a Mazda 323, a Ford Transit a Peugeot 203, a Honda Accord Euro and so on and so on.

And what do I miss the most? — The Citroen Traction Avant.

And which car gave me the most enjoyment? —

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta JTD-M twin-clutch Progression with a QV pack.

At my age it does everything I need and makes me feel happy.

The Triumph would often try to kill me when its six butterfly’s would sometimes jam open.

The Porsche almost did the same when the accelerator cable unexpectedly jammed and that’s another story.

Out of this select lot some were partially restored and four were completely restored.

With that inventory now out of the way, lets get onto this story …

After involvement with various car clubs, it becomes evident that many of these old vehicles have had long interesting careers.

Cars that have survived for up to 70 years could have experienced almost everything humans are capable of.

I’ve seen neglected rusty wrecks brought back to life and sometimes more then once.

These cars seem to be utilizing us like domestic cats adopt servants and then train them for their needs.

Well dear reader here’s an easy read, not too long and full of surprises. So now it’s time to follow Annie from the showroom in 1949 right up to recent times and she will entertain you all along this journey with her extensive adventures.

There are no seat belts, and you are seated very low to the ground.

Have a good look about, the canvas roof is folded away and everything around you, every shadow, every smell, and every sound is now right there in this little car.

So dear reader … grab hold of the big steering wheel … put it into neutral … add a bit of choke … turn the key … can-you-hear-that-SU-fuel-pump-ticking-away? Right, now turn the key another notch … Ruuur Ruuuuur Ruuu Kah kah RUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu, Ruuum, RUUUM, Ruuum Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.

Right … into first and … release the hadbrake … give the hand signal and —

we’re off and away.

**********(0)**********

Chapter 1: The introduction

"Always focus on the front windshield and not the rearview mirror." Colin Powell.

**********o(1)o**********

The two junior salesmen chatting up Miss Smyth at reception were interupted by a bald headed man in a striped double-breasted suit.

He coughed twice for attention then signalled one to join him and waved the other out of sight.

"Andrew, take that brand new red MG-TC parked at the back of the warehouse to this address at Hunters Hill.

Now when you get there, park it behind the tennis courts and then give the keys and papers to the butler … his name is on this note.

And remember to take the polishing kit.

Miss Smyth will reimberse fuel ration coupons, petty cash for the return train and bus fare.

Have William fill it with exactly 5 gallons … now off you go"

**********(1)**********

The send-off for the young Doctor John Hungerford Darcy had gone off like clockwork and his proud mother had managed to keep him away from the Hodges girl for most of the evening,

(no one at this Hunter’s Hill residence wanted another scandal in those blasted papers, and not straight after the last one.)

Yes this posting to Goulbourn would be the appropriate choice.

Following a splendid dinner, in a brief ceremony John Darcy’s father Doctor Bernard Barrington Darcy gave his only son a damn good handshake and then handed him the keys to a brand new red sports car.

However for this young doctor, Goulburn was certainly the worst choice as his first post.

‘It is so far away from my friends and pleasures and besides, what on earth ever happens in Goulburn?’

**********(1)**********

The trip was uneventful, weather fine all the way and by the time Goulburn was reached the little MG’s motor was well run-in.

As for his new medical practice, this place was certainly ‘the-pits’, a plain … a totally boring medical-practice once run by some old fossil his dad