AFY 376 - 1934 Austin 16 Saloon

First registered on 10 May 1937 with Lancashire County Council, it had only one previous owner at Morecambe and was licensed as a hackney carriage at an annual rate of £10.0.0d.

When the late broadcaster, Wilfred Pickles, was at Morecambe for a summer season, this car was used to transport him from his hotel to the Lake District. It was last licensed up to the end of December 1961.

The previous owner, Jardines of Morecambe, trading as White Heather also owned the Society's Cheverolet coach - both vehicles were acquired by one of the Society's founding members, Mr Vincent LeTall, who regularly holidayed in Morecambe. 'AFY' was a non-runner when acquired, in need of a complete engine rebuild.

The story behind the discovery of this rare and interesting vehicle has been told many times, so many times in fact that some of the details had become blurred and changed - so it was time to try and bring the true story to light.

Mr and Mrs LeTall and daughter, Wendy (Vincent was our founder secretary in 1959) and Mr and Mrs Herbert Jones (our founder and only president until he passed away), were spending a long weekend in Morecambe to see the illuminations and the manager of the hotel was a fellow vintage vehicle owner. This was in the early 1970's.

This was sufficient to start conversations on the subject and the manager told them about the existence of the Chevrolet LQ 'bus which is now so well known within our movement and in the care of the LVVS at its Whisby Road museum.

It was owned by the widow of the operator Mr Jim Jardine who had used it for the whole of its life. Named the White Heather, it was kept in retirement at some holiday flats where Mrs Jardine was the sort of caretaker although it is said that she owned the block which had been built by her husband.

Vincent went with daughter Wendy to meet the lady one evening and found not perhaps a strange - possibly a cautious person who chose to conduct the conversation from the door but they did see the Chev. but at its side was the taxi, also from the 'White Heather' fleet.

The 'Lady was not for parting' as they say but Vincent kept up postal contact over the years and in the mid 70's he received a letter saying "fetch both car and 'bus but please ensure that they are always safely kept in preservation". Bradshaws of Sturton sent a low-loader to Morecambe and the poor driver came back to Vincent's private museum in Ingham (at his house) non-stop - he was too scared to risk his valuable cargo to possible vandal attack. Quite a non-stop marathon on the roads of 1975ish.

The Austin is currently under a formal restoration plan with monies being collected and allocated.

January 2002 - This car had its engine dismantled some years ago and left in storage due to its poor condition. However we are delighted to see renewed, or rather new, interest in the car, and we could see some progress made towards having the engine rebuilt professionally as and when funds allow. New bearings could be required, and currently the engine is being inspected to see what exactly is involved. The car is in quite good condition otherwise (give or take an offside running board), and it would be really great to see it in a roadworthy condition.

April 2002 - New pistons and liners have been acquired ready for rebuild of the engine.

May 2002 - Work continues to progress. The engine is ready to go for repair, ie rebore and crank shaft renovation. The camshaft is in very poor condition and quotes are to be obtained for reprofiling and respraying. The camshaft gear also has three chipped teeth.

October 2002 - The engine is ready to go away for the crankshaft to be reground. The block is to be rebored with new liners and then new pistons. The con rod journals are to be white metalled.

January 2003 - The engine is now back from having liners fitted and bored, and con rods white metalled. David Howe is making an attachment so the engine can be fitted on a stand for working on. A new timing chain and cylinder head gasket have been supplied via member Ken Davies. The starter motor has been cleaned and painted, and also the dynamo. The distributor has been cleaned and checked.

April 2003 -The trafficators have been removed for overhaul. One interesting point found was that the amber lens had been painted black with just a narrow line of amber on show. This was to conform with Wartime Blackout Regulations. A real bit of history! The engine is still in the process of being rebuilt by David Howe.

July 2003 -This is now in the Workshop, ready for bodywork tidying up. David Howe continues to work on the engine. Some spares are being difficult to source.

October 2003 - The front Luvax shock absorbers were found to have been filled with grease instead of the correct fluid. These will need an overhaul or replacement. The driver's seat has been removed for repair to the leather covering. Work progresses on the engine.

July 2004 - The rear off-side mudguard has been removed and is in the process of being cleaned up ready for repair.

October 2004 - This is to have its drivers seat cover repaired.