New or Old?

After reading Mr. J. E. McGowen’s letter (Motor Sport Nov. 79), he seems to me to be very naive.

How many private owners could afford to buy cars virtually handbuilt as most pre-war cars were?

How long would British car manufacturers survive if you never had to replace these products with new ones?

When I used to ride motorcycles I had a 15-year-old BSA 650 twin. It was every bit as good as the new ones they were still turning out at the factory. Why should I buy new?

The BSA is now extinct, the throwaway Japanese bike is flourishing. Mind you, I’m not entirely sold on modern ideas. My TR4, a mere spring chicken at 16 years old, which still surprises modern 2-litres by showing them what a been badge looks like, only has a “Dolomite Coupe” to replace it. What a horrible thought! I must immediately go out and drive my real TR before I get depressed.

Horndean, J. Jules