Following the Path
Having just read Martin Buckley’s ‘wish list’ in his June Backfire, I also had a thing about the Riley Pathfinder when it came out, having the use of a Riley 12/4 at the time.
I was working as an apprentice at the local Austin dealer when one came in for a service. After the job was finished, the mechanic said: “Jump in, let’s see what it can do.” Needless to say, I was in the passenger seat like lightning.
When I tell you that the mechanic’s own transport was a Triumph Speed Twin, probably the fastest production motorbike at the time, you can guess the rest… Autocar recorded the Pathfinder at 99.5mph; we registered 105.
I later learned about the Pathfinder’s habit of having the Panhard rod shear off, leading to the ‘Ditchfinder’ nickname. Oh, the blind confidence of youth!
Terry Delderfield
Via email a parts collection/delivery driver for Zenith Motors, the Ford main dealer in Stevenage, and during the holidays I would accompany her. One port of call was a dealership in Hertford, and someone there had a white ’61-’63 Thunderbird. To my young eyes, more used to mundane black Wyverns and Populars, it was like a spaceship on wheels. I was smitten then, and still am.
On holiday in Florida a few years ago, I was unable to take my eyes off one on a fuel-station forecourt and almost drove into the car in front – that’s the effect they have on me. Andy Robson
Rubery-rednal, Birmingham notepad always at the ready. His death was a huge shock to us readers, and no doubt far worse for you all; how lovely that his memory is kept alive, and he still features in the magazine. So, thank you.
Oh, and as a massive Abarth fan (and co-chair of the Abarth OC), I rather liked and certainly approve of your Future classic feature on the 695 Rivale. Those of us in the know realise that Abarths are pretty much instant classics, even though sales volumes mean that they are not quite the rarities they once were. Colin Rear
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