Carcrap Postcards

[Karmann Ghiaman]

Endless computer problems, but will try to post some more picture postcards featuring shitty vehicles, recently purchased. Please write in with any comments or queries that occur, especially if you know the place, a car or a passer-by shown.

 

Oxford 1968 (I was there then, though not in this particular picture):

 

 

Nice Renner 4 for you there.

 

 

Upper Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury (with excellent parking to improve the scene), and Burford.

 

Swanage, posted in 1982 though the card is obviously much older:

 

 

Caterbury, no date, but early '80s judging by the shite:

 

 

Another cathedral city, Norwich, sent in 1963:

 

 

Will try to post this now, plenty more to follow...

[mk2_craig]

I love these old views, for me the most fascinating thing is how tastes in colours changed over time, never realised black was such a common choice back whenever that last one was shot (which is probably a fair bit earlier than the 1963 postmark).

[Karmann Ghiaman]

I love these old views, for me the most fascinating thing is how tastes in colours changed over time, never realised black was such a common choice back whenever that last one was shot (which is probably a fair bit earlier than the 1963 postmark).

 

Yes, I thought exactly the same, surely that picture dates from the early '50s.

 

Here are a few more:

 

Scarborough, 1985:

 

 

Is "Waterscene" still there? I've been to Scarborough (in 1985 come to think of it), but never went to North Bay. There is a bus in there if you look carefully.

 

Remarkable Blackpool, 1981:

 

 

A very rare instance of the shitty car apparently being used for a naughty joke, possibly to emphasise the phallic symbolism of the Tower. What do you think, Herr Professor?

 

 

(sent in 1970). I admit that there aren't any cars in the above, so it's a little OT, but still a weirdly poignant scene. Those boys are obviously thinking 'This place adds a new dimension to the word "crap".' Note scalloped edges on both of the above.

[Karmann Ghiaman]

And continuing our seaside resort theme:

 

 

Traffic visible on the right. Nice. That was sent in the Golden Summer of '73.

 

Nearly forgot the place that NO POSTCARD COLLECTION WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT:

 

 

Norfolk Broads, of course (River Thurne, Potter Heigham). Thank you little Carole Pearson, (well, you were in 1965), for sending that to Miss Stork at Grange Junior School. Your teacher may not have actually lived in the school, but will have got it at the start of the autumn term. We are on our way to Great Yarmouth and the weather is great but I are't sun burnt yet, you inform the unimagined cyberspace posterity of the Future - or at least some blokes who love the card you chose.

 

This one of Morecambe was posted in October (Friday 13th in fact) 1944:

 

 

I think that fine Bauhaus building has survived and been done up, listed Grade 1, etc., hasn't it?

 

Even older, but no date as it was never sent:

 

 

More to come, including Bonny Scotland...

[Karmann Ghiaman]

Two from Wales:

 

Fishguard, 1974

 

 

Swansea, 1970

 

 

There were several from that peculiar place which is neither Wales, England nor Ireland, called the Isle of Man:

 

 

Beautiful early Oxford VI (I think) there. One hp vehicle + parking in background:

 

 

This 1970 one is depressing and doesn't include any cars...

 

 

...but the reverse has a very clear TT frank, good stamp & everything just right:

 

 

Also to Miss Stork whose fine collection ended up in Chesterfield market the other day.

 

While we're on the IOM, might as well pop over to Ireland:

 

 

Am I imagining it, or did these Irish cards often show a happy English family driving round, enjoying a lovely holiday in the nice bit, knowing that the shouty men & bombs were all up in the top RH corner?

[Spottedlaurel]

Good to see you putting more of these up KG. I've been buying a few recently, got a big box-full at the local auctions for a few pounds which were mostly sent to what seems to be a Catholic family living in/around Leeds with East German roots. Got cards from places like Dresden and Olomouc with lots of Skodas, Wartburgs etc.

 

Have this more local one though for the moment:

 

Reeth, Swaledale old postcard early 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

A fine selection here.

 

Could this be a communal postcard thread?

[Richard]

I like how they've put a union flag on the postcard as if the picture could be from any other country in the world.

[Karmann Ghiaman]

Could this be a communal postcard thread?

 

Sure, have always hoped to start one, please post more Everyone!

 

In Miss Stork's collection selection we now come to Scotland:

 

 

That is Marischal College with car park to die for, including the obligatory student/junior lecturer Beetle.

 

Fife Arms Hotel, Braemar:

 

 

From the round registration plate and LH drive, looks like that Merc has come all the way from Germany. (I will resist the temptation to make any sarcastic remarks about visiting their relatives at nearby Balmoral.)

 

Strathpeffer, Ross-shire:

 

 

Two now of the Devil's Elbow, Glen Shee, wherein obviously the shite must be seen in action:

 

 

Comes on telly occasionally, doesn't it? Anyone had any adventures there?

 

 

Perhaps the star city of the whole collection is Inverness:

 

 

A lot in this good shot of the High Street, which I guess to be mid-'60s. Wonder what poor old Woolies has become now?

 

Where to park by the River Ness:

 

 

Several old favourites to be spotted there! Perhaps this was where Miss Stork stayed?

 

 

But if you think the Caledonian Hotel was ugly...

 

 

This looks like a sad attempt to show how modern and forward-looking the town is. Superb traffic box, superb traffic.

 

Finally in Scotland, Dornoch, Sutherland:

 

 

Including camper van, far left.

[Formula Autos]

Even older, but no date as it was never sent:

 

 

Were anyone to get into the first floor window of Carlisle train station (that this was presumably taken from) today, this scene would likely to be almost unchanged. There'd be a bit of a difference in the cars though, obviously. The station forecourt is now almost chock full of OAP chariots such as Rover 25s, Hyundai Amicas and Vauxhall Agilas. It's a safe bet that they'll have crumpled wings and scuffed bumpers too. In a way, the scene today would make a great Autoshite postcard or calendar picture.

 

Carlisle station is seemingly where Cumbria's Mr. Magoo-like drivers gravitate to - thankfully letting the train take the strain, instead of venturing out onto the motorway, for long journeys.

[Karmann Ghiaman]

Thank you, Formula Autos; that's the kind of useful information we're looking for. Any chance of going there and taking the picture? Or at least one from ground level.

 

Here's a dull corner of Plymouth in 1972:

 

 

Why is it called Armada Way? The Armada LOST for heaven's sake! What next? Luftwaffe Drive?

 

Second only to Inverness in Miss Stork's collection is Grassington, Yorkshire Dales:

 

 

No dates on any of these, so we'll have to guess from the cars, fashion, whether public toilets are still available, etc. I'd say that the above would be early to mid-'60s, some wonderful cars. Is that a very early Anglia the Learner's got there? To die for.

 

 

Grassington again. This is an unusually-nicely composed shot, but enjoy the piece of junk in the foreground! You couldn't make it up.

 

 

 

Obviously into the '70s by now with several drool-worthy shittifers to be savoured & lingered over.

 

Two from nearby Skipton:

 

 

Very classic sign nicely included there.

 

 

The Morris Traveller was obviously the Dalesman's favoured wheels back in the day.

 

Before we leave England, two from the capital:

 

 

No metric bollocks there then. Brother, sister & I had a special trip to visit it with our Dad when it had just opened. The main thing I remember was the two spivs with a monkey who took a photo of us outside (with the monkey, obviously). My father gave the men 5/- or whatever and said, 'We'll never see anything from them.' But the photo was duly developed and posted, so Cockney geezers were honester than what 'e faught, Guv.

 

 

The obligatory Picadilly Circus. I would like to share the back of this one with you:

 

 

Very early decimal days with that 3p stamp.

[Karmann Ghiaman]

Thanks, Tayne; always interesting to know what's happened to places since they were preserved forever in these postcards. A shame about Marischal College

 

Coming soon: Miss Stork's friends abroad...

[Spottedlaurel]

Looks like a Celica in that card showing The Cobbled Square, Grassington?

 

The messages on old postcards are rather poignant, or even pointless, sometimes. I have one that goes on about inviting the recipients round but then saying the writer will do them salad so it doesn't cost too much.

 

Rotten Row, Southport in two decades:

 

Rotten Row, Southport old postcard 1960s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Rotten Row, Southport old postcard 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Quick check on Streetview showed it not looking too different, even the ornate streetlight is still there.

 

More good stuff in Southport:

 

Floral Hall and New Theatre, Southport old postcard 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

And staying up that way:

 

The Square, St Annes on Sea old postcard 1960s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Quick trip to Dublin, spoilt for choice on the taxi rank:

 

College Green, Dublin old postcard 1980s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Old B&W cards somehow seem crisper. Michiel suggested the main car visible is an early '50s Ford.

 

Knorzerbau, Mannheim old postcard 1953 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Finally, great shot of a junction and a rosebed.

 

Thorn Street, Earlston postcard circa 1980/81 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

[eddyramrod]

Thank you SL, for those pics of my old home town! (Southport) I was looking for my old cars in them.... Rotten Row doesn't change much, thankfully, at least it hadn't before I scarpered two years ago. You'd see a difference at the Floral hall though, as there's been a new hotel built. It's probably empty...

[Rusty Pelican]

Big thanks for posting , great snapshots in time , just wish i could go back there for real , need to collect these myself .

[seth]

Loving looking at these.

 

Old B&W cards somehow seem crisper. Michiel suggested the main car visible is an early '50s Ford.

 

Knorzerbau, Mannheim old postcard 1953 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

49-51 Ford.

[Karmann Ghiaman]

Love the brown L-plated Maxi FOX 715D parked (badly) in Rotten Row. Perfection.

 

As promised, a few of Miss Stork's friends ventured abroad. Another important aspect of travel in our period was the Sealink ferry, represented here by S.S. Sarnia at St Helier in 1974 (she came out to the Channel Islands from Weymouth & Southampton):

 

 

This may not have exactly been a holiday, since Mary included the sad news that Auntie Hilda died on Feb 2. So am returning tomorrow for the funeral Wed. It was posted on Mon Feb 4, so you can work that one out.

 

Polly made it to Brussels in, I think, the early '60s (the postmark seems to be -5-9-3611, but it only cost 2F to send:

 

 

And one of those rather strange tinted French ones from Dorothy & Wallace who drove down to Cannes in 1964:

 

 

Extremely lovely prewar Citroen behind that palm tree, presumably driven by Maxim de Winter. The card is clearly rather earlier than '64.

 

Polly again, this time from Figueira da Foz, Portugal in '73:

 

 

Is the Jag looking for a parking space? Grey woman on the bench on the right is strange. She seems unhappy - in Portugal? In 1973? Whatever could be wrong?

 

Finally two strange ones from Michael & Elaine who made it all the way to New York. This Hotel Edison must have been where they stayed:

 

 

This includes the now ironic information that they went to the World Trade Centre on the 107th floor the view is futuristic. Hotel Edison claims to be 'New York's Friendliest' and includes a 'Rum House'. Well, it did in 1980, probably a Holistic Gym by now.

 

They also visited Chinatown:

 

 

One is somewhat drawn to the legs of the girl in the very short dress, but it's a fine realistic NY street scene, complete with litter. I hope that Chinese writing down the side doesn't say anything rude...

[mattblack]

Love the brown L-plated Maxi FOX 715D parked (badly) in Rotten Row.

 

'Maxi' is a some variety of ADO16, maybe a posh one as it has overriders?

[Richard]

Love the brown L-plated Maxi FOX 715D parked (badly) in Rotten Row. Perfection.

 

Not only badly parked, the L plate is on sideways too.

[Karmann Ghiaman]

Good to see you putting more of these up KG. I've been buying a few recently, got a big box-full at the local auctions for a few pounds which were mostly sent to what seems to be a Catholic family living in/around Leeds with East German roots. Got cards from places like Dresden and Olomouc with lots of Skodas, Wartburgs etc.

 

Could this be a communal postcard thread?

 

Could you post any of those please? They do sound most interesting...

[Spottedlaurel]

Voila:

 

Olomouc by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Bruhlsche Terrasse, Dresden old postcard, early 1970s? by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

And some not in Eastern Europe...

 

High Datsun count in Rhyl:

 

The Promenade Rhyl old postcard, early-mid 1980s? by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Camborne Cornwall John Hinde by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

York Minster West Front Judges Ltd by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Datsun 510!

 

Main Street, Helston, Cornwall old postcard late 1970s by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Plenty more to come.

[mk2_craig]

Another important aspect of travel in our period was the Sealink ferry, represented here by S.S. Sarnia at St Helier in 1974 (she came out to the Channel Islands from Weymouth & Southampton):

 

 

This view has changed considerably in the last thirty years, there's been a big land reclamation scheme between the Albert Pier where the ferry is moored, and the castle. And no Sealink since the mid eighties, we are now served by the equally mediocre Condor.

[Shep Shepherd]

A delightful postcard featuring an early Maxi, a late Corsair, an SRN-4 hovercraft and the 'Hugin' Viking ship at Pegwell Bay in Kent in the early 1970s:

 

 

I grew up not far from Pegwell Bay and am old enough to remember the hoverport there when it was still in operation (it closed in September 1982). Happy days.

[Karmann Ghiaman]

Where the hell is Olomouc anyway? Sounds like a planet from Star Trek or a very bad deal in Scrabble.

 

The Viking Maxi takes the proverbial biscuit!

[Shep Shepherd]

The Viking Maxi takes the proverbial biscuit!

 

He shouldn't even be parked there, as if you look closely at the road markings, he's in a bus stop*. Said bus stop is still there, as is the 'Hugin', although the hoverport was knocked down in the early 1990s.

 

 

*A popular spot for motorists wishing to watch the hovercraft come and go.

[Spottedlaurel]

Where the hell is Olomouc anyway? Sounds like a planet from Star Trek or a very bad deal in Scrabble.

 

Wikipedia says "Olomouc is a city in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic."

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olomouc

 

I musn't spend too long looking as I'm meant to be working at home, but a quick look in the box shows there to be lots more like it.