Shite Postcards

[pshome]

[tul66]

I see they had middle lane hogging wankers then too!

[Momentary Lapse Of Reason]

[64A60]

Bel Air Chalet Estate, St Osyth. 

 

[martc]

 

Look you my dear I'm crackin' on with knitting you a new tail isn't it. Then I'll get Dai the Vet to stitch it on for you.

[64A60]

The Bus Terminus, Jaywick Sands. 

 

[Spottedlaurel]

Trying to work out where that would have been. Maybe here? https://goo.gl/maps/BtiLoc7uL2AAsVMRA

[64A60]

Looks like it, I don't think the Parade of (now derelict) shops and The Sheldrake Pub were built until later on in the 50's. There's an interesting mixture of pre and post war architecture in Jaywick. 

[Alex66]

I have wisely spent a good few hours looking through this whole thread, they are wonderful full of bad compositions but so charming. Brilliant they are. 

[Spottedlaurel]

Market Jew Street, Penzance old postcard mid 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Aircraft carrier taxi and Dutch-registered Mini amongst a pleasing variety of stuff here. Maybe a Rediffusion Escort van too?

The Angel Hotel, Bury St Edmunds old postcard early 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Line-painting the old way. Swedish exotica too, with a SAAB 96 and what is thought to be a Volvo P1800.

[chaseracer]

That (probably not originally) Kermit-hued 2CV must be a visitor from abroad, going by the date and the round headlamps.  And likely Paris, by the parking...

[Spottedlaurel]

We seem to have lost some of the people who used to contribute here.

Karmann Ghiaman used to have some amusing comments and captions on his cards in other threads but sadly he doesn't appear to visit any more and the links to his images have suffered an FTP: 

Undaunted, and of interest to almost no one, I shall keep dumping stuff here as I've been buying a lot of cards ready for winter scanning.

I've been looking at cards I already have and finding alternatives where I know the photographer can't avoid including a load of cars. Town centre market places are good for this, like Leyburn:

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

This is the one I already had, with a good variety. What else might we see there?.........

Leyburn Market Place old postcard, late 1950s? by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I tend not to go back much further than this, I find the cars are difficult to identify and don't mean much to me. I'm struggling with the small blue/grey car to the left of the buses. Also, is that a Bond Ranger van on the left? Bonus garage and fuel pump content, explaining the Castrol sign in the first card.

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

That Castrol sign again, but the major thing of interest to me is the Pogweaseled Datsun 510. Well-regarded elsewhere but never very common here (the Datsun that is, not Pogweasel). Some other great stuff too.

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

Back up to the other end of the road for this one, looks like Terry from Minder is making a visit up north. I wonder if the attractive blue Mazda 818 behind the sign is the same one in the first card? Linking this shot to the oldest one, there are a couple of Minors.

Leyburn Market Place old postcard, early 1980s? by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

A couple of semi-exotic Italians here. Can't make out the colours on the two-tone Fiesta to determine whether it's a Sandpiper or Bravo special edition.

I have a newer card still on its way to me.

More of this sort of thing to come for the likes of Cirencester and Marlborough.

 

[ETCHY]

Great pics.

Two things always strike me about old photo's with cars on.

1. The variety of car colours, compared to today. These days everything seems to be silver, white or black.

2. Cars that can't really be that old look rather shabby or actually quite shagged. 

[RayMK]

2 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

 

 

Leyburn Market Place old postcard, late 1950s? by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I tend not to go back much further than this, I find the cars are difficult to identify and don't mean much to me. I'm struggling with the small blue/grey car to the left of the buses. Also, is that a Bond Ranger van on the left? Bonus garage and fuel pump content, explaining the Castrol sign in the first card.

 

It's a 1960's era Skoda Octavia.  Nice postcards!

[martc]

6 hours ago, ETCHY said:

Great pics.

Two things always strike me about old photo's with cars on.

1. The variety of car colours, compared to today. These days everything seems to be silver, white or black.

2. Cars that can't really be that old look rather shabby or actually quite shagged. 

And just look at how much oil they are leaking, there's patches everywhere. United Buses fitters had better up their game in particular, the bus stops are awash in oil.

[ETCHY]

1 hour ago, martc said:

And just look at how much oil they are leaking, there's patches everywhere. United Buses fitters had better up their game in particular, the bus stops are awash in oil.

Flipping heck I've now only just noticed the oil patches, there are a lot !

[Spottedlaurel]

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:

High Street, Marlborough old postcard, early-mid 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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:

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.

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.

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.

 

[RayMK]

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

[sheffcortinacentre]

 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?

[RayMK]

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.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

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. 

[Spottedlaurel]

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.....

[RayMK]

Yes, looking harder at the postcard, the front wing is cut away on the leading edge like a TD, whereas the type Y leading edge was at bumper level. Good call ?.

[sheffcortinacentre]

I a sucker for 70's stuff we got our first (only new) static caravan in 75.

[Spottedlaurel]

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

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.

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.

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.

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?).

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.

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.

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.

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.

[artdjones]

3 hours ago, Tayne said:

What’s the big blue car on the left in Shrewsbury?

It looks like a Mk.3 Cortina to me.

[martc]

14 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

 

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 .

[georgeinabz]

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:

High Street, Marlborough old postcard, early-mid 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

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:

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.

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.

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


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Spottedlaurel]

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:

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

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

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:

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:

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

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.

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.

[Spottedlaurel]

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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.