Having started the year with varying degrees of weather, hopefully the coming months will make up for it. But what of the motorists decades ago, in the 1960’s, who had on offer as assorted adverts of the period may enlighten. John Ward delves in to the archives.
Car bumper picnic table
► Perhaps the thought of a drive out into the countryside to enjoy a picnic possibly might have crossed the mind then, as assorted tempting offers were available, such as the ‘APT’ Car-Bumper Picnic Table. Available from Eric Binns Ltd., 23 Gloucester Mansions, Cambridge Circus, London WC2 which retailed at 39s 6d (approx. £2 today) plus postage of 4s 6d (just under 25p today) might have been considered. According to the advert, it clamped onto the bumper of your car (with plastic coated clamp ends so as not to damage the chrome), with adjustable let-down legs so it became firm once erected, with the fitments with spiked ends in non-rust alloy.
Car theft protection
Car theft was about even in those days. The Melguard Safermatic may have been an asset worthwhile fitting to your vehicle that was marketed by Johnson Carguard Ltd., 127 Regent Street, London W1 that cost a mere £3 19s 6d (just under £4 today). Apparently, it was an electrical device making it impossible for a thief to drive your vehicle away, was completely automatic, with among its attributes – it retains its ‘secret’ for your car only. Plus guaranteed for a year, so quite some going for the era possibly.
Folding roof rack
The next step up from the picnic idea might be camping outdoors, so what better than to get a roof rack to stow any camping equipment on so as not to compromise the car space interior.
One such accessory was the Cox Folding Roof Rack sold by Cox of Watford Ltd, Watford By-Pass, Herts, which was available in two sizes: MR1, size 36 x 36 inches at £4 5s (£4.25p today) and MR2, size 45 x 45 inches at £5 5s (£5.25 today) that were available from garages or ordered through Halfords branches.
The idea was it folded up and kept in the car boot in its own carton until required, then brought out and assembled – with a claimed two minutes to achieve this feat.
This could be the sort of thing that seemed suited for the television programme ‘The Generation Game’ as in: ‘Two minutes, in your own time, assemble your roof racks’, but in some respects being stowed in the boot was possibly a theft deterrent.
Car Tents for almost all
While on the outdoor theme possibly the ‘Car Tent’ might have offered an alternative to banging in tent pegs, etc., as this was attached to the roof of almost any vehicle with the advert illustration showing it attached to a BMC Mini model of the period.
It was made and marketed by Car Tents, 32 Carletron Avenue, Wallington, Surrey and retailed for £33 12s (£33.60 today) or there was a
