Our family was fortunate to have a vehicle back 65 years ago. In our end of town there few autos and the horses out numbered the cars. Dad was a fixer upper and ended up purchasing or trading something to obtain a 1932 model A Ford coupe with a rumble seat. The engine was old and not running and this car would not begin to hold our family for trips but Dad had a plan.
He removed the engine, transmission and rear end and set up shop in our small garage. He began his adventure into auto mechanics. Dad took everything apart and realized that parts of the engine were worn out, the transmission needed a new clutch and fly wheel and the universal joint in the rear end had to be replaced. Not to be discouraged he went to wrecking yards and bought second hand parts, traded things with friends to get most of the needed mechanical objects and set to work. New rings and two pistons were needed and he bought these items at a dealer in Sydney.
Working late into the night and on weekends Dad put everything together. Dad had to borrow wrenches and pieces of equipment to complete the motor job but it was done. Now he turned to the body of the car. He removed the rumble seat and built a wooden box in its place to accommodate his family. It looked very good when he finished and he finally had a car that needed testing. This car had no starter so a crank was inserted into the crank nut at the front of the engine and this took the place of the starter. Dad was strong but after numerous crankings he had to give up as the car wouldn't start.
The gas and spark for the car was on the wheel and had to be set just right for the car to respond. A casual friend Wally came by and showed Dad how to get the car started . Together they succeeded. Tires were another issue as all tires on this car were loners or were not a matched set. The car has not left the yard up to now and Dad realized it would start easier with a push so we[ family] were invited to push our car around the potato patch to get it started. Our potato patch became quite smooth from all the driving round to make this tin Lizzie operational.
One day Dad decided to take the car for a spin around the block. We pushed to get it started and Dad drove out through the gate as proud as can be with all the neighbours watching and admiring Dad's ability to make something from nothing. I was not long after Dad left than we saw him coming down the lane without the car. He ran out of gas by the station so we had to go and push it home. Not a very auspicious beginning to what was to be the maiden trip.
Dad did get the car running quite well and after getting a licence for the car he decided that next Sunday we would take the family swimming at one of the beaches. Sunday came and a definite order of loading this car had to be in the mix as 8 children and our parents had to be accommodated along with our picnic lunch. We gave the old car a push and it started on a maiden trip that was to be replicated many times more in the future. Dad was so proud as we left our home and set out to drive in the countryside to Groves Point.
For we the children packed like sardines in the back it was a thrill and never a complaint was heard. As we arrived at our destination we were greeted by our friends who had a cottage there and for the next 5 hours we experienced the sheer joy of having the freedom to run, swim and co mingle out in the country. Finally the day had to come to an end but Dad gave us the best gift ever, the joy of being a family sharing our first day of freedom with our new, old car.
What a neat memory. I could see how it was such a great sense of freedom being able to go as a family to the beach. What a thrill it was.
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