Leaving school at age 15, I started a six year apprenticeship as a toolmaker. My take home pay for 44 hours work was the equivalent of $2.55 per week. Having paid $2 for board, the remainder didn't go much beyond a few sweets and an evening at the cinema. By
the time I was 18, however, my weekly pay had increased to $4 and I was able with a loan from my more affluent older brother to purchase my first motorised vehicle. This was a very elderly single speed 98cc New Hudson auto cycle. A year later this was upgraded to a second hand BSA Bantam 123cc DI model motorcycle. Unfortunately, neither of these vehicles in anyway impressed females. What I needed was a car. This awareness resulted from a general response of: "Have you got a car?" when female partners were invited for an interval drink at the Saturday evening Palais de Danse. "It's in the garage being serviced," didn't impress anyone. The breakthrough came at age 21 when I was able to buy a Messerschmitt bubble car. Messerschmitt bubble cars ran on three small wheels and were powered by a 192cc two stroke engine. The vehicle resembled a very small two seater aeroplane built without wings or tail. Driver and passenger sat in tandem and the vehicle was steered by a pair of handlebars.
For me, it was love at first sight, and a ticket into a world of fast cars and (hopefully) faster women. Acquired on hire purchase and lovingly polished, the car's "pulling power" was to be tested the following Saturday.
My nonchalant response of "A white two seater" assured me a delightful companion for the rest of the dance and the promise of better things to come. Escorting my new friend to the car park after the dance we stopped at the Messerschmitt.
"Is that it?"
"Absolutely."
"I can't ride in that, my mum wouldn't let me."
"Why?"
"It doesn't look safe."
"It is - trust me."
"No, I'm getting the bus."
It was then I realised that at times it's hard being a bloke.
