Old Bristol

Belatedly we have received for review a copy of “Bristol As It Was,” a photographic study of that City between 1914 and 1939, by Reece Winstone, A.R.P.S. Anyone who likes street scenes showing period vehicles going about their lawful and unlawful occasions will enjoy browsing through the 108 pictures in this soft-cover publication, quite apart from its interest to Bristolians.

Old cars abound, also ‘buses and many tramcars; if any reader can identify them all he is a better bloke than I am, Gunga Din! For example, the front cover depicts a Vauxhall Cadet (I think!) with the ubiquitous Austin Seven Ruby up a side-street. Prewar Austins and Morrises abound in other street scenes and, curiously, a bullnose Morris seems to often be in close company to a flat-rad. Morris. You can spot a bullnose Morris van, and is the car climbing Park Street a 12/50 Alvis or a Singer Porlock ?

Some of the pictures are devoted entirely to vehicles—Blue Taxis (Renaults or Charrons?) outside Bristol Tramways Garage in 1914, another picture of one of these cabs, which were sold in the Cattle Market in May 1930 for 45s. each, we are told (!), 1923/36 Bristol and Greyhound ‘buses, and a 1921 Angus-Sanderson tourer, 1914 ‘buses, a “gas-bag” ‘bus in 1917, and a fine shot of Bristol Airport as it was in 1935. This book is a “must” for tramway fanatics and will interest many old-car enthusiasts. It is available for 10s. post paid from Reece Winstone, 23, Hyland Grove, Henbury Hill, Bristol, 9, on mention of MOTOR SPORT.—W. B.