History
Previously on the road in 1987, she has been in the same family since 1962 when she was purchased for £3 (£5 was par for a "runner" at the time!) She was an Easter present from Aunt Pat to late Uncle Mike Collings - a lifelong vintage car enthusiast. Mike had spotted Bluebell languishing, neglected in the corner of a garden near Wareham. He already had a 1933 2-seater tourer, however as a keen VSCC member, was keen to have a true vintage Seven.
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| Aunt Pat | Richard - age 7 - Easter day 1962 - restoration work already started |
The body and trim were in poor shape. However Mike quickly got her back into service. The car was on the road in 6 weeks and was used as everyday transport in Dorset. Christmas '62 was held at our family home in Sevenoaks - deep snow prevented Bluebell's return to Dorset for a few weeks, however when the snow cleared Mike drove her home to Wareham via Eastbourne to visit his parents - 174 miles - quite a journey.
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| Proud parents Mike & Pat bring baby Melanie to her Christening | Three successive Bluebell
owners at 18th August '63 Christening "Daddy" - Mike Collings 1982-1976 Richard Collings (age 7 in this shot) 1976-95 Michael Lunch (age 15 in this shot) 1995 - |
Cousin Richard learnt to drive and passed his test in Bluebell. He drove Michael to his wedding in 1975:
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| Richard driving the groom's party to the church (Michael Lunch and best man, brother Tony with his wife Martine) - no wonder those rear springs had to be replaced! Note the period Watneys Red Barrel truck! | Michael and Christine Lunch - just married |
Richard was given Bluebell for his 21st Birthday in 1976, living with us briefly in Surrey while he did an engineering apprenticeship - Bluebell was frequently seen at the Austin Seven Owners Club Moore Place meetings. She completed the 1982 John 'o Groats to Lands End run (JOGLE):
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| The London based cars loading on the sleeper train at Euston | Driving from Inverness to the start at John 'o Groats - Mac Bonar passing in the background - note his "trademark" flowers on radiator. |
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| At the start | Passing ,many lochs in Scotland - displaying sponsors posters |
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| The Scottish Highlands | Cousin, Richard Collings with Bluebell in The Lake District |
Richard became a decorator and handyman in Wareham, Dorset and Bluebell was pressed into service as a builder's truck - carrying his tools, paint and building materials. Eventually after many years of hard loyal service - Bluebell was forced to a stop by a loose flywheel, broken crown wheel teeth and cumulative wear & tear.
In 1995 Bluebell came to live with Michael in Surrey. Not surprisingly, she was in need of a complete re-build after 65 years of loyal service. This site records the full restoration and re-build over the next 13 years - finally emerging in June 2008. Following the inevitable snagging and lots of small finishing tasks it was reluctantly decided that sadly there was not room in our lives for two Vintage Cars -see www.vintagesportscarhire.com and so Bluebell was sold on 12th September and will go to a new home in South Wales.
