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13 hours ago, RayMK said:

On the 1970s shot of Marlborough, it looks like a yellow VW K70 on the left behind the army truck. K70s were always a rare sight in the UK.

I had one in that shade. Not yellow as such, but Maya Gold. Or at least that's what it was originally, but it had spent years sitting in a front garden before I had it, and the exterior paint had mostly faded back to undercoat. 

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21 hours ago, RayMK said:

On the last postcard above, I think you are correct. I would say it's an MG Y type saloon.

Someone on Flickr suggested TF (edit: I mean TD), with YMV being a 1953 plate. Possible?

21 hours ago, sheffcortinacentre said:

 In the middle pic with the hunter EST towing the caravan (Thompson mini-glen I think, with continental door), there's further back a sprite cadet/alpine parked lengthways in the bays but without it appears a tow car as you can just make out the gas locker & front marker lights (possibly someone inside).

Are they perhaps getting a repair at the garage? Strange to park it so far away ifso?

Good caravan knowledge there!

21 hours ago, RayMK said:

On the 1970s shot of Marlborough, it looks like a yellow VW K70 on the left behind the army truck. K70s were always a rare sight in the UK.

Yes, I'd agree on K70. Last one I recall seeing in that was (probably) in everyday use was Walton-on-the-Naze circa 1983.....

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Been slowly going through a few more of them....

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Leyburn Market Place old postcard early 1990s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

A quick return visit to Leyburn. Things have moved on, with lots of '80s stuff but still a venerable Minor.

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The Green, Walberswick old postcard late 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

The recolouring artist seems to have been a bit heavy-handed here in Wobbleswick. A good Renault count.

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Market Hill, Sudbury old postcard c.1970 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I've posted a later card showing this scene and I'd love to find more from the 1970s and '80s. I was born in this town, lived nearby and regularly visited as youngster, went to school just outside it and got my first job overlooking this car ark and market square.  I just wish I'd taken some photos of my own from that fantastic second floor vantage point I had, but I didn't and so cards like are the next best thing.

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Oak Street, Fakenham old postcard 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

There's a link to the Sudbury card, in that Fakenham is another town I worked in. Good French content with the Simca 1100 and Renault 20 (or maybe even 30?).

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The University, Manchester old postcard early-mid 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

The Rapier H120 was really quite ahead of its time with the integrated rear spoiler. Same cannot be said of the Datsun 1200's use of whitewall tyres.

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High Street and Town Hall, Bridgnorth old postcard early 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Another Minor survivor, with the timber framework neatly matching the town centre buildings of Bridgnorth.

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Market Square, Shrewsbury old postcard early-mid 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

A scene that can't be recreated nowadays, as Streetview shows this area to have been pedestrianised. However, I suspect an equivalent shot would have more than one Audi visible.

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Northbrook Street, Newbury old postcard late 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Just look at that Sigma estate, wonderful. And another Minor, though it could be a late one and only circa 10 years old.

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14 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

49077064373_557d653134_b.jpg 

Market Square, Shrewsbury old postcard early-mid 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

A scene that can't be recreated nowadays, as Streetview shows this area to have been pedestrianised. However, I suspect an equivalent shot would have more than one Audi visible.

 

And less SIMCA's :-(.

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Thanks for the comments.
Like we're seeing with the Sainsbury's archive photos, it's remarkable how quickly the cars move on decade by decade - most everyday stuff really didn't last for long.
Down south to Marlborough this time, these are the two cards I already had:
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High Street, Marlborough old postcard, early-mid 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
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High Street, Marlborough old postcard, late 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
That parking layout looks promising, let's see what else the photographers couldn't avoid:
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High Street, Marlborough old posctard late 1960s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
A very natural-looking shot here, with a fairly typical selection of 1950s/60s family transport. I think the A4 would still have been the main road at this time, as Wikipedia says the J9-15 stretch of the M4 wasn't completed until 1971. I imagine that before then Marlborough had got a little busier than this card shows.
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High Street, Marlborough old posctard late 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
Moving on a decade, and most of the '60s cars have disappeared already. The Allegro and Maxi made it to 1987 and '88 respectively.
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High Street, Marlborough old posctard mid-late 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
Looks like it was market day when the photographer visited in the 1980s, with the scene being somewhat busier as a result. I don't know what the much older car is next to the Orion (too obvious to say MG?), but of the rest the T-reg Sunny and Alpine and Viva HC stand out amongst the '80s stuff.
 
superb , no Audi’s,Bms ,Mercs or range rovers insight


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  • 2 weeks later...
On 11/18/2019 at 9:28 PM, georgeinabz said:

superb , no Audi’s,Bms ,Mercs or range rovers insight

There will be the odd example of the above in this next batch, but they'll be a slightly rare and exotic sight rather than being as common as Cortinas once were.

These three cards offer a nice timeline through a decade or so and show how quickly the older stuff disappeared:

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Market Place, Devizes old postcard mid-late 1960s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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Market Square, Devizes old postcard 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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Market Place, Devizes old postcard late 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I particularly like the last one, with the French quartet in the bottom right, pair of British Gas HA vans, a couple of Datsuns and sundry bits of exotica like the Mercedes, Alfa and Fiat 132. Not quite sure why Horizon has been given yellow windows, makes it looks like it's got that film they used to put up overnight in 1970s shopfronts.

Having done a bit of time travelling from the '60s to the '70s, let's take a virtual drive in our car of choice - I'll go for the Victor FD estate that's visible top right in that last card, and head east along the A4. Pass through Marlborough and take in the sights parked there as seen on the previous cards. After maybe an hour we'll reach Newbury:

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Northbrook Street, Newbury old postcard late 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Because it's the 1970s we can drive along this street. It would appear that it's been pedestrianised since, thus depriving be-flared parents the opportunity of pushing children into the side of a Peugeot estate. I'm going to pop into Ridley's Records, pick up a copy of Man-Machine by Kraftwerk and then swap the Victor for that lovely Colt Sigma.

We need to head north, the trusty road atlas takes us on a scenic route via Shropshire:

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High Street and Town Hall, Bridgnorth old postcard early 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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Town Hall and High Street, Bridgnorth old postcard mid-1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Another short period where the design and engineering of cars really moves on. Although there are some very capable and comfortable cars in the later view, we haven't got too far to drive to Shrewsbury and I'm going to swap for that pretty Kadett coupe.

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Market Square, Shrewsbury old postcard early-mid 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

One of those thrusting Audi driver types has made an appearance. Back then though they would have had a very different image and appeal - I looked at an old price guide and in 1972 a Consul 3000 GT was cheaper than the 100 LS.

It's been a long day's drive, that's me done for now.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hoping to rattle through some more cards while I've got time off over Christmas.............

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High Street, Scotter old postcard 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Is it too soon to talk about Lincolnshire again? Scotter, south of Scunthorpe, isn't the most obvious subject for a postcard and they don't seem to have chosen the most photogenic view available. Happily for us, we get treated to the sight of a mustard-coloured Toyota Crown estate outside a flat-roofed VG foodstore.

Dropping the Streetview man nearby showed a slightly out-of-use looking beige Mk1 Sierra and P100 on someone's driveway in 2009.

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High Street, Kingussie old postcard late 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Another location I'd never heard of before, this time in Scotland and not a Volvo in sight. Good to see the Datsun 120Y coupe though. The Chevette made it to 1986.

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Harbour Office and Custom House, Poole old postcard early 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Heading a long way south, here's a real Japanese rarity plus some posh-ish British stuff.

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The Guildhall, Poole old postcard early 1990s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I was confused when I got this card, from memory the buildings looked much like the other Poole card and I thought it was a later shot. But no. The Rover P4 is something I'd expect to see in one of the older cards, not alongside an E36 BMW.

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The Gloucester Hotel, Weymouth old postcard mid-late 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Staying in Dorset for this one, I do like that Manta B. A bit of variety amongst the rest of them, funny to think that all apart from the Fiat ultimately came from the same company.

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High Street, Dovercourt old postcard early 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Getting a bit closer to home for me, and we see another now-defunct supermarket chain. Anyone for a Cadbury's cake? The Lotus is apparently still around but on SORN. (For anyone not familiar with Essex, for Dovercourt read Harwich.)

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High Street, Colchester old postcard mid 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

And finally, Colchester with its distinctive red tarmac. Shameless nostalgia for me here, as I worked in an office up near the buses for one hot summer in the late '80s.

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  • 1 month later...

Been adding more old cards onto Flickr over the winter . Here's a selection, I'll try not to repeat myself with some of them this time......

We'll start off with a Barmouth bonanza:

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The Promenade, Barmouth old postcard late 1960s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

OK, I may have had this one on here before in discussion about 'boy on wall'.

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The Promenade Barmouth old postcard early 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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The Promenade Barmouth old postcard mid 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Avenger Sunseeker! Photographers didn't use too much imagination when selecting their viewpoint.

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The Promenade Barmouth old postcard (2) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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The Promenade Barmouth old postcard 1980s (1) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

An exciting change of view for these later ones. I like the dated look of the Mk1 Cortina next to the Astra.

Elsewhere in Wales.......

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Llangollen, Clwyd old postcard 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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Old Market Hall and Great Oak Street, Llanidloes old postcard 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Not sure if the Sigma/Galant is Colt or Lonsdale. Subaru could be a Turbo? Regata made it to 2001.

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Market Place, Stowmarket, Suffolk old postcard 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

A bit closer to home, and a bit of variety here.

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Common Place, Walsingham, Norfolk old postcard early-mid 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Quality GOB plate on the Alpine.

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Abbey Gate, Walsingham old postcard 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This shot taken just around the corner, probably the same day. Suffolk-registered Maestro van has made a daring cross-border raid.

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  • 2 weeks later...
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2 hours ago, warch said:

.... Roads don't seem as potholey either and there aren't masses of road markings or street signs.

That's because everything was more co-ordinated, and there weren't anarchic contractors digging up random bits of tarmac and then pretending to repair* it after.

 

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That's because everything was more co-ordinated, and there weren't anarchic contractors digging up random bits of tarmac and then pretending to repair* it after.
 

Na HAUC is a lovely piece of legislation, ensures all reinstatement’s are carried out perfectly, right!


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Another themed batch here. By rights, these cards should be worth far more than others and in 10-15 years they'll be my pension:

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Broad Street, Welshpool old postcard 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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Station Crescent, Llandrindod Wells old postcard mid 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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King Street, Thetford old postcard 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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The Guildhall, Market Square, Thetford old postcard 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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High Street, Yoxford, Suffolk old postcard early 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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The Market Hall, Amersham old postcard early 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Or I'll just be chucking them all in the recycling bin in desperation when we downsize.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Can't go anywhere, so let's do some virtual travelling:

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Main Street, Peasenhall, Suffolk old postcard early 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This is just along the road from the Yoxford view above. I drove through there a fortnight ago, sadly no '70s bilge to be seen.

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Broad Street, Newtown old postcard 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Not entirely sure why the Marina is that far across the road.

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Market Square, Lytham old postcard late 1960s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Looks to be mostly typical '60s grey porridge here, but I think there is a Bond Equipe at the end of the road.

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Market Place, Spalding old postcard late 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Great variety here. I don't recall that generation of Toyota pickup being very common in the UK.

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High Street, Peebles old postcard early 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Another CX, plus other French fancies.

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Marine Road and Promenade, Morecambe old postcard late 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

All the '70s stuff gone by the time of this card.

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The Royal Braemar Gathering, Braemar old postcard 1950s/60s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Lots to ponder for those who like '50s and earlier stuff.

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On 3/7/2020 at 8:45 AM, Spottedlaurel said:

Moffat madness. Some people with discerning taste and style:

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High Street, Moffat old postcard 1960s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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Moffat, Dumfries postcard 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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High Street, Moffat old postcard 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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High Street, Moffat old postcard, early 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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High Street, Moffat old postcard 1980s (2) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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High Street, Moffat old postcard 1980s (1) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This last card one of my favourites, some great stuff on there including the wonderful 160J SSS.

Took a holiday cottage in Moffat, summer 2004, at the other end of the side-street on the left beyond the tea rooms.  It was tiny and triangular, wedged into the space where two streets intersected, but there was an excellent 'chipper' opposite.

I wonder what happened to the lamp post on the semi-circle with the planters?

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  • 2 months later...

Been adding more cards to my Flickr account, when there are limited options for travelling it's good to daydream about far-flung exotic locations.......

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Market Hill, Sudbury old postcard early 1960s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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Market Hill, Sudbury old postcard late 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I'm always happy to find a Sudbury postcard. Less than 20 years separates these two, the later one wasn't one I'd seen before and it's the perfect era to go with my memories of the place. Mmmmm, jam doughnuts from Tooks.

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The Square, Kelso old postcard late 1960s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Big spaces or smaller cars back then?

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The Bear Hotel, Street old postcard c.1980 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Looks like Dave and Tim from the sales team are in to meet Roger and Geoff from management.

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Broad Street, Launceston old postcard late 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

A lot to consider on this card, which is a bit later than it first appears. I like the contrast between the Volvo 164 and SAAB.

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Runnymede Gardens, Ilfracombe old postcard 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Cherry coupe!

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Leyburn, Wensleydale old postcard 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Leyburn never fails to disappoint. Mash identified the pre-war car as a mid-30s Hudson Terraplane.

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The Fountain, March old postcard 1973-75 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Minimal vehicle content, but a Volvo 144 police car?!

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High Street, Burford old postcard 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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High Street, Burford old postcard 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Fiats popular in Burford.

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21 hours ago, Richard_FM said:

I think Hampshire police had some Amazon estates as motorway patrol cars,

Yes, they first bought them in 1965.  The first "foreign" police cars in the UK.

Ant Anstead's book "Cops and Robbers" has details.

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Another fabulously nostalgic set of postcards, thanks for posting them here.  I particularly liked the second one, Market Hill Sudbury, 1970s because of the wonderful selection of marques. NSU RO80, Austin 3 litre, Simca estates x 2, various vauxhalls including Victors FC and FD, a Renault 4, Morris Cowley and so the list goes on. Is that a blue Mazda 1300 motoring towards the camera (Right side of postcard)?  I'm familiar with Burford. It is generally busy but modern cars being somewhat bloated makes the place look more crowded now. 

Edit: The white car bottom right (postcard 2) which I thought was a Victor FD may be a Datsun Laurel Six saloon. My eyes gradually homed in on the none Victor looking indicator side repeater and possibly upturned front bumper ends. Nice brown Citroen GS parked up left as well.

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  • 1 year later...

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