ORIGINAL ACCESSORIES IDEAL FOR YOUR 1960s SUNBEAM RAPIER

I suspect that most clubs are in a similar position, but the restrictions this year have prevented the meetings that we normally report on in our magazines. That has certainly been the case for the Sunbeam Rapier Owners Club's magazine, Cut and Thrust. However, that does provide opportunities for us to turn to other sources, and one that I put together was a light-hearted look at some magazine adverts from the early 1960s that I came across.

The first one to catch my attention was what makers NMC claimed was 'The only safe way to light a cigarette when driving.' Easily mounted on your dashboard, the dispenser held ten cigarettes that were loaded before a journey. All the driver then had to do was press the side button and the tip of the next one was heated until lit and ready for their first puff. Priced at 43/9, it was available from Halfords.

Next was an invention called the KARPARTMENT. This clipped to your car's side window to provide an 'Easy-to-erect changing tent,' all for a mere 70/-. For your money, you even got 'a window curtain for complete all round privacy.'

The third great invention I found was the petrol bag, an exhibit at the British Nylon Spinners' Association's demonstration at Park Lane. Apparently, Betty in the photo could lift four gallons of petrol in her bag! She must have been quite a girl, because lifting one gallon in a carrier bag is enough, while even just two is a real strain.

More manageable, but also rather more worrying in terms of flying babies under heavy braking, was the AUTOCOT child carrier hammock that clipped between the rear parcel shelf and the front seats. Quite why the little darling could not have simply slept on the rear seat I don't know...

My final discovery was the FOLDAWAY, a folding trailer for just £70 that as we can see from the ad, fits in the boot of Rootes' cars. I reckon this one might have actually proved useful, if only to cart the rest of the junk on offer down to the local tip! Neil Lamond

What a great selection, Neil. I've seen the cigarette lighter before, but the rest are new to me. Are any readers willing to admit that they bought one of these products? Or perhaps you know of other hopeful offerings? If so, please do get in touch and share them – Ed