TOP COMEDY VEHICLES
They might not all be cinematic gems, but this film series wasn’t without its automotive stars
Andrew Roberts’ pick of Carry On cars
1 MORRIS MARINA 1.8 COUPÉ
CARRY ON AT YOUR CONVENIENCE
The year is 1971, the currency is now decimal, and The Beatles are already a memory. Just to increase the mood of national gloom is a guest starring role from the Marina in At Your Convenience. This was also the first Carry On to lose money at the box office, although it is uncertain whether this was due to Sid’s new Morris.
2 TRIUMPH STAG
CARRY ON EMMANNUELLE
To be honest, aside from the Stag and a Daimler DS420, there is little point watching this epic, so why not fast-forward through the dialogue scenes and the theme song to ogle at the cars?
3 HUMBER SNIPE MKII STAFF CAR
CARRY ON ENGLAND
Almost as bad as Emmannuelle, but saved by Kenneth Connor’s valiant lead performance and the appearance of the military Humber. Apart from those details, however, the main interest in Carry On England is guessing how many cinemas closed as a result of its screening.
4 AUSTIN FX3 CARRY ON CABBY
The plot here centred on the rivalry between the Glamcabs and the traditional black cabs. FX3S were provided by the London General Cab Co, and one survives in the north of England.
5 AUSTIN MAXI CARRY ON BEHIND
A Harvest Gold Maxi made up to resemble an HL provided automotive interest in this caravanning tale. By 1975 the series was starting to look tired, although Elke Sommer’s guest appearance belongs in a much better picture.
6 MG MIDGET MKIII CARRY ON LOVING
The 20th Carry On made desperate attempts at a ‘swinging’ London atmosphere, but was saved by the double acts of Richard O’callaghan/ Jackie Piper, and Imogen Hassall/terry Scott. The last-named portrayed a young (!) man about town, an illusion partially reinforced by the MG.
7 AUSTIN MINI MOKE CARRY ON CAMPING
The Carry Ons were not really au fait with youth culture. When Camping entered production in late 1968, the producers’ idea of a rave was some chilly-looking extras dancing in a muddy field to the groovy sounds of The Flowerbuds, with a ‘psychedelic’ Moke to reinforce the hippy vibe.
8 BRUSHMOBILE CARRY ON SCREAMING
Not only one of the few in the series with notable art direction, but also featuring Fenella Fielding and a Vauxhall-powered 1904 Brushmobile that later graced the National Motor Museum.
9 FORD ZODIAC MKIII CARRY ON MATRON
For many, the last decent Carry On, released in 1972 and featuring Sid and his seedy reprobates in their secondhand Zodiac getaway car as they contemplate a heist at a maternity hospital. The scene with Kenneth Cope, Valerie Leon and Terry Scott aboard the Bedford ambulance alone is worth the price of the DVD.
10 WOLSELEY 6/90 CARRY ON CONSTABLE
The 6/90 must be one of the finest cars to appear on celluloid, and its arrival in the first Carry On
to star Sid James results in a cinematic classic. Constable is also one of the rare films to feature a chase involving an Austin A35 van!