Things once green are turning blue in Wigan
1 - Humber down under
In New Zealand, the Hillman Super Minx was available as a Humber 90. This was so Rootes could obtain more licences for local Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kit assembly.
2 - Oz upgrade
Over in Australia, the Cambridge was fitted with the 1622cc B-series engine from launch in 1959. British versions didn’t upgrade from their standard 1489cc unit until 1961.
3 - Regal procession
The Regal 3/25’s designation came from it having three wheels and 25bhp, the latter courtesy of Reliant’s new 600cc overhead-valve aluminium engine in place of previous side-valves.
4 - Diesel days
Class 25s had six-cylinder 1250hp engines. No. D7554 (left) entered service in 1965 and was withdrawn in 1980, while D7643 (right) was new in 1966 and scrapped in 1981.
We’re near the end of a transformation of the UK’s rail system here. Mainline steam had less than a year left in service, and British Railways was metamorphosing into British Rail. These two Class 25 diesel-electric locomotives in Wigan North Western station yard showcase the old and new liveries; D7554 on the left in grimy green and D7643 in fresher ‘Corporate Blue’ with double arrow logos.
There are a few green and blue cars resting alongside, too. We start with a pale green Reliant Regal 3/25, one of the few cars to be inspired by the Ford Anglia 105E’s rear window styling. It’s nose-to-nose with a blue Austin A55 Cambridge. The fins continue with the folded-over ones of the Hillman Super Minx MkIII beyond. Like the locomotives they’re parked by, neither BJP 159C (the Reliant) or PTF 274C (the Hillman) survive today.
Landcrab sandwich
Next comes a Vauxhall Victor FC 101, making a sandwich filling out of a Morris 1800 MkI, as there’s another FC 101 right behind the Landcrab. The fencing doesn’t help with identifying the adjacent cars but their familiar curvy shape does; two Morris Minors, one a 1000 saloon, the other a Traveller. The Vauxhall Viva HB bookending the row must have been quite new as the model was only launched in October 1966. A red Commer TS3 van derivative – possibly in Royal Mail service judging by the colour – can be seen in the distance, as can an Austin 1100 parked on the other side of the rail goods van to it.
Today, all of this yard has disappeared under a multi-storey car park. So, lots of cars still, but no Class 25s anymore. Shame.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN 1967
IN THE NEWS
Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared in December while swimming in rough water off Cheviot Beach, Victoria. His body was never found, giving rise to conspiracy theories including suicide, assassination or being picked up by a Chinese sub because he was a spy. Melbourne memorialised him by naming a swimming pool after him. Yes, really.
AT THE FLICKS
Peter Cook rewrote Faust for laughs and translated it to Sixties London in Bedazzled. TV comedy partner Dudley Moore played a man offered seven wishes by the devil (Cook, naturally) in return for his soul. Cook also sang the title track as part of the fictional rock band Drimble Wedge and the Vegetation. Raquel Welch, meanwhile, was Lust…
IN THE CHARTS
Another (originally) fictional band were the Monkees, created for a US TV sitcom before eventually metamorphosing into a proper group in their own right. They had four top 10 singles in the British charts during 1967, starting with the number one I’m a Believer and also including A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You and Daydream Believer.
MOTORS NEW FOR 1967
Aston Martin DBS
DAF 55
Iso Fidia
Toyota 2000GT
TVR Vixen
WORDS RICHARD GUNN PHOTO COLOUR-RAIL/RICHARD CHANCELLOR
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