Eddie June 2012
The prompt for me to write this piece came when Redmond recently asked me the name of my first car to use as an online password.
On the 17th of January 1947 at age 17 I took out my first driving licence. I had not learned to drive at that point but aspired to do so. There was no test required for the licence, just a short form to fill in with innocuous questions and a payment fee of 5 or 10 shillings.
At that time I was working in a nondescript clerical job in Dorans of Marlborough Street. One of my bosses – Jack Doran had a lovely Morgan car which he parked in a nearby cul-de-sac. He would frequently send me with his car keys to either bring some package to the car, or collect something from the car.
There were very few cars on the roads in 1947 due to continuing petrol rationing consequent to the aftermath of the war. When I would go to the car I would put the key in the ignition, start the engine and fiddle with the gearstick, engage the clutch and move the car forward in 1st gear for a few yards the repeat the exercise in reverse. I had got the hang of the basics of driving from watching drivers whenever I got a lift in a car. I practiced like this for a good while without my boss discovering.
My wages were modest and as was the custom I gave up most of my wages to my Mother. To supplement my available money I would do chores for people for payment but my main supplementary source of funds was Snooker. I had gained an expertise at playing snooker.Several times a week I would meet with pals in Jordans Billiard Saloon in Lr.Abbey Street. You booked a table by the half hour and you played “for the table” meaning whoever lost the game , paid the charge for table. Invariably as well as playing for the table there would be a side bet either with your opponent or an onlooker. I quickly learned who I could beat but more importantly who was better than me at the game. So I would not risk a bet with an assumed better but always took a bet with a lessor opponent. I made small monies on a regular basis and when I had built up a reserve of £30 – £40 I set out to buy my first car.
In 1947 Private Cars were only slowly coming back into use as petrol rationing was severe and because of the 1939-1945 war cars were with few exceptions of pre 1939 vintage . It was possible to buy beautiful big luxury 1930’s car for little money as they were unwanted because of heavy petrol usage. After a lot of searching for a small car within my budget I came across my hearts desire in a 1933 SINGER 9 (973c.c) It was owned by an Englishman who lived off the Phibsborough Road,adjacent to the Royal Canal.Memory does not tell me what hagling may have taken place but I have a clear memory of the agreed price of £27-10-0.
The SINGER 9 was regarded as the poshist small car of that era. It had full leather seats and all the internal knobs,switches and door fittings were of high quality. The dashboard was made of dark polished wood with an enclosed glovebox. Technically,it was the only small car with “Fluid Drive”which reduced the need for clutch skill. The car was in reasonable condition,it had been off the road for 5 years. The bodywork at rear of car had been dressed with external varnished wood slats and an opening to the rear with bigger glazing which gave a small station wagon look. Because there was now a lot more windowglass Ma made special fitted curtains to dress the car further. Ma had been very impressed with my audacity in purchasing the car. I dont recall my fathers reaction.
In short time I learned the hazard of buying a used car when I began hearing the crunching noise emanating from the back axle when car was in motion. A friend who understood mechanics quickly diagnosed the problem and we set about the remedy,which entailed visiting several car scrap yards till we found a “crown wheel and pinion” in good condition to replace the faulty parts. It was a major job. The car was set up on blocks in the back garage of 202 Clontarf Road, rear wheels and axle removed and replacement parts installed with the help of my amateur mechanic pal and a few others. It took about a week of working nights and week-end, but it worked perfectly.
I cant remember how long I held on to my SINGER 9 but I probably got rid of it when the pleasures of owning it were overtaken by the troubles of repair bills, petrol shortage and maybe some other inconveniences but it was a terrific experience and an exciting and very enjoyable adventure .
NOTES: –
(1) Photocopy of my first Driving Licence.
(2) Photo of a 1933 SINGER 9 car (not my car)
(3) To equate 1947 values with 2012 : – The average wages for a 17y.o would have been circa £2. Therefore my car purchase had the equivalence of 14 weeks wages in 1947. Petrol in 1947 cost 2/9 per gallon = 42 cents(euro) and a gallon contains 4.55 litres so a litre of petrol cost less than 10 cents in 1947