Car Related Items

On this page I will be adding car related items from around the date my car was registered (1947)

When the Morris ten was built Road Tax was charged per Horsepower, The cost was £1.00 per horsepower so the Morris Ten cost £10.00 to tax

The Highway Code was introduced in 1931 where there were only about 2.3 million cars on the road in the UK.
Today there are over 27 million.The Highway Code booklet above was issued in 1946.
(Click on the image above to read it.)

The 3rd September 1939 saw the introduction of petrol rationing due to WW2. Ration books were issued depending on the horsepower of the car owned. The rationing allowed around 200 miles of travel each month.
Petrol rationing ended on 26th May 1950.
Petrol rationing was reintroduced in January 1957 for five months during the Suez Crisis when Egypt and Syria blocked supplies.

Many cars pre-war had picnic baskets and suitcases left in the open on a carrier at the rear of the car. The Morris Ten had a relatively large boot so things could now be kept safe and dry.
This 4 person picnic set was a bargain for just over £17.00 from ebay. It was new and still wrapped in it's protection.

In 1947 a car radio would have cost almost as much as the car and in those days very unreliable.
It was almost unheard of to have one fitted in a car. If going on a picnic or to the seaside the family would often take a portable wind up gramophone. Even though it used no electricity the sound was amazingly loud and clear. One drawback is a new needle was supposed to be fitted every two or three records. This H.M.V. player dates from slightly before my car. Players such as this can be picked up for £40 - £50

A Sirram electric car kettle from late 1940s or early 1950s. Operates on 12 volts via crocodile clips that attach to the car battery. Later versions used the car cigarette lighter. This was found on a stall at the Cuckoo Fayre for £6.00 and had never been used, and stiill like new.

Handle folds down for easier storage, Inside srew off lid is a boil whistle and a strainer. Lid and spout cover to be removed before use.
Sirram also made picnic sets for cars in the 1940s and 50s.