Blog
Self Service
Sunday 6th March 2016
The new season is just around the corner with a wedding in two weeks time and another a week after that. So, shrugging off the effects of a horrid cold, I spent some time at the garage last week, completing the servicing work on the cars. The New Zealand car was the last one needing attention so it was treated to a full service. Firstly an engine oil change followed by checks of the oil levels in the gearbox and back axle. Then out came the grease gun to pump grease into the steering joints, steering box and spring shackles. After that, I had to pull out the wooden floor-boards to expose the brake cross tubes which needed lubricating as well as the numerous brake clevis pins and the handbrake mechanism. A few drops of oil on the clutch release sleeve finished the job.
Drivers in the 1920s were a more dedicated breed than we are today. The original drivers' handbook instructs owners to go through this process each week. I wonder how many did actually give up half a day each week to do this maintenance. Something like a thousand Austin 12s remain on the road today but I think this says more of the build quality of these grand old cars than the dedication of their owners in days gone by.