The Way We Were
March 1966, Bedford
This picture is the spring calm after the winter storm. The grimy cars and filthy roads of central Bedford by the River Ouse are a testament to colder weather having only just passed, and the pedestrians are probably only too happy not to have to dress up in even more layers and shiver through their shopping. Everywhere is still grubby and it’s difficult to find even one vehicle that isn’t liberally coated with dirt – which, being ingrained with salt, wouldn’t be doing their bodywork any good whatsoever.
The High Street parade on the right includes a few familiar and unfamiliar names; Barclays Bank is still everywhere today (whether we like it or not) and Wimpy also survives, albeit down to about 80 restaurants from its heyday of over 500 before McDonald’s and Burger King invaded its territory. The Eastern Electricity Board lasted until 1995, one year beyond Arthur Day, a local firm which had sold women’s clothing since 1926. Belfast Linen isn’t a company that rings any bells, however. Behind the St Paul’s Square car park is a branch of the National Provincial Bank: Founded in 1833, it merged with the Westminster Bank in 1970 to become the National Westminster.
Just passing out of frame is a Morris Minor pick-up which, despite its green livery, probably isn’t in Post Office Telephones service, because its signwriting is in the wrong place. Following it is a grey Minivan; its metal enclosed load area would be marginally more secure than the Minor’s canvas. Behind is a Hillman Minx Series V, also in a rather uninspiring shade of grey. Gone are the earlier models’ rounded roof and curvy rear screen, reflecting the growing trend for simpler-looking, more square-cut machines.
A somewhat down-at-heel Thames 307E or 309E van – the commercial load-lugging variant of the Anglia – is next, which seems to be missing even the small half-grille with which Ford deigned to provide it. Passenger seats were also an optional extra on these very budget-conscious machines. In its wake is a 100E Anglia, sporting the three-bar front grille fitted from 1953 until 1957.
Then there’s something that has us stumped; a pale blue machine whose sheer size and twin-headlamp nose suggest American origins. Dare we suggest something like an early1960s Chevrolet Impala? Or can any readers come up with more educated guesses? In the far background is a Commer Imp van, introduced in November 1965, and a BMC 1100.
The tableau unfolding over towards the right could almost be a driving test question – which hazard should the Austin A40 MkI driver indicating left be most aware of: the cyclist or the senior citizen about to cross? Hopefully she’ll get a chance to nip across in the gap between the A40 and the white Minx-based Hillman Husky Series I.
Escaping the traffic past the car park is a Ford Zodiac MkIII, the Blue Oval’s 2.5-litre, straight-six, twin-headlamped flagship of the era. 1966 would be its final year, before it was replaced by the less popular and more unwieldy MkIV version.
The car park itself includes lots of Morris Minors – as any typical vehicle conglomeration of this era would – along with another Ford Zodiac (or Zephyr) of the previous generation, a Jaguar Mk2 obscured by the Minor pick-up, an MGB Roadster and a BMC Farina estate. There’s also, rather inevitably, a Volkswagen Beetle. Can you spot it?
This Bedford scene is similar enough today, but the Barclays building is now occupied by a Nando’s – shame about all that nice marblework – and instead of being able to get a Wimpy hamburger next door, the choice is… yes, you’ve guessed it, a McDonald’s.
That’s progress for you.