The exceptional story of an ordinary car.

The journey: The Reveal

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 11:26:46 GMT

After more than a decade, this was the moment Grandad found out she was home.

Firstly, in addition to sharing the video of the reveal I said I would share details of the JustGiving page that we've set up to raise some funds for The Royal British Legion , The Alzheimer's Society and Mind in his memory. You'll find the page for donations HERE , and I've also updated the original post with the same link. Alternatively, you can click on the charity logo image below.

The Journey: Goodbye Grandad

Sun, 14 Feb 2021 00:21:19 GMT

It’s been a while and I’m afraid the return to the blog is a bit of a sad one.

If you knew my grandad personally his funeral will be held on 25 March 2021 at Sandwell Crematoriu m, although it is likely that Covid-19 restrictions will limit numbers. In lieu of flowers, all we’re asking is that you do what came so naturally to him - Tell those people precious to you that you love them. If you’d like to make a donation to his memory, we will be splitting the proceeds three ways. To the Royal British Legion, the Alzheimer’s Society and of course, to Mind. You can do so by heading to our JustGiving page .

For now though, there are plenty of wonderful memories for us to immerse ourselves in. How lucky we are to have them. And how lucky we were to have you; Ron, Ronaldo Longero, Corporal R.S Long, ‘Old Grumpy’... Grandad.

Sleep well. We love you.

The Journey: Where have you been?

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 21:05:14 GMT

I’m sorry...

I know I’ve been quiet but as is sometimes the way, life got in the way. Things have been a little stressful, some of which I’ll go into in this blog and as a direct result of this, the whole Black Bess project has taken a back seat in recent months. It’s all in the efforts of self-preservation and with the mental health aspect of this blog, I’m sure you’ll understand that it’s just been case of knowing my own limits, putting some plates down and focusing on keeping some of the more basic plates spinning.

A lot has happened since the last update (which I can’t believe was all the way back in October 2019!) I started a new a job few days prior to the last update. After the trials and tribulations of my previous role, the new place has been a breath of fresh air. Not without its challenges but full to the brim of wonderful people, all keen to give you a leg up. I’ve spent a good proportion of the time focusing on learning the ropes of the new role. More often than not, I get home with a huge brain fog from learning so much new stuff, and crash into the weekend needing plenty of down time. Finding the energy to persevere with the car was a challenge.

In addition, things have been very stressful at home. For reasons that I’ll go into in a future blog, it has become clear that doing any sort of work on the old car here is absolutely not compatible with our environment. The nail in the coffin was coming home last week and finding that a hidden leak in the garage roof combined with heavy storms had resulted in a wall collapsing onto the front wing of Bess. Fortunately, there is no material damage but long story short, we need to find a new home and so all efforts and a considerable amount of the resto money have been diverted onto that. I will update you more on this in the next 2 months when our plans finally start to bear fruit. While I’m on this subject, do you know anyone with a car transporter in the midlands that may help us to relocate Bess to a new home? If so, I’d love to hear from you.

The stagnation of the project has been deeply deeply frustrating for another reason however. You may recall from our social medial channels that my inspirational grandparents celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary back in August 2019. Sadly, this was one of the last days that I really saw my grandparents together as I’ve always really known them. Nan was diagnosed with dementia earlier in 2019 and her condition was worsening by August. Shortly afterwards, it became clear that some intervention was needed. After a lengthy stay in specialist assessment facilities, nan was moved into a care home just before Christmas.

Things seem to be reasonably okay for her. In her world, where the construct of time is very abstract, she seems relatively happy for about 80% of the time. She has always been a sociable soul and thrives among new faces. One of the few benefits of this illness and being moved into a care home is that every day brings the same old new faces. She is comfortable, safe and very well cared for. Her personality continues to win admirers among the staff too, which can really help land some brownie points for the times when she decides she’s going to be awkward.

For grandad however, it’s a very different story. After 70 years of sharing a home with my nan, he finds himself alone. I suspect that the purpose that she gave him to look after her is as much a loss as her presence too. It’s desperately sad and I can feel how low he is about it all just from being sat with him. All I really want to do, is rock up on the driveway with our old car and take him out for the day. I know just how much he would love to do that too. Alas, that’s some way off yet. I just hope that father time is kind to us and I’m able to do this one day.

Bess always gets a mention on visits to see nan too. As is often the way, recollections of decades ago are often much easier than memories from earlier that day. We always manage to get a few sentences of sense out of her and a genuine interest when we talk about the old car. Again, how lovely would it be to pull up outside her care home and let her see, touch, smell and hear Bess. She must have so many memories swirling around in there somewhere…

For now, I visit her. Not so often that I fade into the fog that is the presence. But often enough to remind her that I still care. Grandad and I have planned a few days out too. Even without the old car, it’s still great to spend time with him. And my friends all think he’s amazing too. January saw his first ever trip to RAF Cosford, which as a war veteran was of huge interest to him. February plans got canned. Partly because of storms but mostly because I’d got so stressed about things that I’d made myself ill for several weeks. The very last thing I wanted to do was make him ill. We’re off to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon soon though. I’m really looking forward to that.

In addition to work, home and grandparents, other family illnesses, HMRCs inability to get my tax right resulting in considerably less cash that I wanted and the dark nights and mornings, I’ve really struggled over the past few months. As always, I’ve had support from those closes to me. And talking about some of this stuff absolutely makes it easier to accept the things that are out of my control and devise a plan for the stuff that is in my control. It feels like I’m coming out of the other side now though. I’m really looking forward to sharing more updates with you in the coming weeks and months. So, stay tuned and watch this space.

The Journey: World Mental Health Day 2019

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 08:49:15 GMT

Today is World Mental Health Day 2019. While mental health issues can impact anyone at any time, today is a great reason to talk about it and challenge the stigmas that can be associated with it. The theme for this years campaign is suicide awareness . You'll know from my previous vlog post , where I shared my own experiences, that spotting the signs and getting access to help is essential. But people need the will to ask for help, or to offer help when they spot the signs that something is wrong. For this, the stigma of mental health needs to end.

I'm left hugely encouraged by the amount of exposure that the cause is now getting. You may have already seen the national TV campaigns, showcasing support from celebrities and royalty. Most importantly, we're seeing even greater levels of funding for organisations like Mind , the Mental Health Foundation and Young Minds , and social movements like Time to Change . All of this increases the access to support and the availability of a meaningful conversation. And it's having an effect.

As some of you will already know, I've just started a new job, with a fantastic company. I can't begin to tell you how pleased I was that within the first half day 1, I'd been signposted to a variety of wellbeing support options which included a network of mental health first aiders. As new starters, we were also directed to an internal website where we could read the personal stories of a number of staff members (one of whom is a close friend of mine already - you're a total hero V.)

There's no denying that prevention is better than cure and to aid that, Mind have published a handy guide on how to maintain your mental wellbeing. You can find that here . It's well worth a read. Perhaps, share it with your workplace or amongst your family or friends?

However, sometimes it gets past the point of prevention. That's when you need to ask for help. I'd always recommend your GP, but there are also a whole host of other specialist services that can help someone in crisis.

You can call Mind on: 0300 123 3393 or text 86463.

If you need urgent help, or are worried about someone else, you can request help from Mind here: I need urgent help.

It's also well worth remembering the Samaritans . You can call them on 116 123, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Don't forget...

You are not alone;

#mindyourmind #wmhd #mentalhealthmatters

A look back: Piecing it all together

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 21:20:45 GMT

Firstly, I’m sorry. I’ve neglected the ‘look back’ half of this blog in recent months. It was all the way back in late April that I said I’d let you know how I came into the position of all these wonderful pictures.

The fact is, Bess only became part of our family in the mid 80’s (oddly, about the same time as I did.) But she’d lived a life up unto that point.

There are some moments in life that will stay with you. Where Bess is concerned, I’ll remember the phone call from her previous keeper. I’ll remember the day I walked into a strangers garden and clapped eyes on her for the first time in over a decade.

I’ll also remember the time that over 30 years worth of missing history clicked into place, spanning the mid 1950’s to the mid 1980’s.

You see, not long after I managed to get Bess home, my uncle turned up with a box of paperwork. It was full of wonderful things. The service history, workshop manuals, spare gaskets, accessory tags, fuel ration tokens... It was absolutely amazing. It felt special to reunite all of the paperwork that had stayed in the family, with the car - that had gone walkabouts many years earlier.

Tucked in that box was an exceptionally important document. Bess’ original buff logbook. These were issued when the car was new and used in much the same way as today’s logbooks. Keeping a record of owners, taxation and so on. However, unlike today’s system, no replacements were issued. Changes were merely penned onto the same document. Meaning you had a full history of the ‘who, what and how much’ since the car was new.

What makes this even more exciting, is the power of the internet. Using fairly simple tools, I started to research the names that appeared on the tatty old logbook.

Astonishingly, the second owner provided a direct hit. W. L. Oborn and Sons, listed as the owners from 1961 - 1973. A google search of the name led me straight to this web site: www.oborn.co.uk

I knew that she’d been used as a taxi in the past. My grandad recalled it being written on the paperwork. Sure enough, under taxation class, I found a red pen amendment, changing it from private use, to taxi. And it corresponded with the dates of the Oborn family owning her. I realised that she’d been used by the family’s business, a garage and workshop as a courtesy vehicle.

It didn’t take long to strike up a conversation with the descendants of W.L Oborn. David, the grandson of W.L Oborn had set up the website with the support of his son Andrew. It chronicled the inspiring RAF careers of his family, and extended to their passion for motorbikes and the family’ auto business in Beer, Devon.

The business was set up in 1924 by William Oborn, known as Len to friends and family. After surviving WW1, serving as a Lance Corporal with the army in France he returned home to Beer and started the roadside garage, covering everyting from maintanance and servicing, to sales and insurance. It was the early days of motoring, and having convenient locations dotted around the emerging road network became essential to maintaining and running the early cars of the day. Unlike the modern vehicles we’re all use to, where service intervals can extend to years, regular maintenance is required before, during and after most journeys in classic and vintage motor cars. Garages sprang up all over Britain to support the modern, intrepid motoring public.

With fuel, servicing and chauffeuring proving lucrative, the business soon built to include the sales of brand new Austin and Morris cars and used vehicles. Len’s two sons, Stanley and Gerald joined the business, forming W. L Oborn and Sons following their safe return from WW2. By now, the business had expanded into private hire, providing vehicles for weddings, funerals and other events. Four large Austin’s were used for these duties, three of which you'll see below.

It was on the 26th September 1961 that the Oborn family welcomed a new addition. A Vauxhall, registration 825 APB. The 1956 E-series Vauxhall was a considerable modernisation over the four big Austins. And with it’s large proportions, big boot and seating for six, it was a significant addition to the private hire fleet. Indeed, the car was favoured by the family for trips out and about, featuring in many of their photographs. Len passed away at the age of 84 years in 1971. The garage ran under the guidance of Stanley and Gerald until 1977 before they took retirement. It was at this point, that the Vauxhall was sold on.

During his time at the garage, Stanley had established a habit of recording and documenting the history of his various motors in meticulous detail. Sadly, he passed away in 2004 but fortunately, this wonderful history has been preserved and handed on to Stanleys son and grand son.

As I mentioned, I’ll never forget receiving that email from the Oborn family confirming that their Vauxhall was my cherished Bess. The excitement at each subsequent email, uncovering more and more of her history will also stay with me for years to come. It’s thanks to a keen interest and respect for motor cars, and a carefully maintained record of family history that I’m able to piece together the history of Bess in this way. I’m enormously grateful to Stanley, his son and grandson for this.

When she’s back on the road, one of the first places we’ll be going, is Beer in Devon.

Please do pop over to the family’s website to find out more.

The journey: Goodbye to the MINI.

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 00:49:12 GMT

The journey: Goodbye to the MINI.

First things first, sorry. I’ve totally neglected this blog in recent weeks. Well, not just the blog, the whole project. As is often the way, life got in the way and things have been pretty intense. As much as I know its a good thing to keep up with your hobbies, I’ve just not had the energy or inclination.

However, a chapter has closed and an exciting new one is about to begin. For now, I have some valuable time off between finishing one job, and starting another. And for my own sanity, I want to get this car sorted!

It’s starting with the MINI believe it or not. I’m at the end of my first week of ‘temporary unemployment’ and aside from cleaning the house, I’ve been prepping my lovely MINI for sale. I need to free up some of the cash to support the restoration effort - Although I’m still planning on replacing it with something cheaper.

So, a fresh MoT, some newly refurbished wheels, an oil and filter change and a damn good clean and he’s ready to meet a very lucky new custodian.

Now this car is special. It’s not any old MINI. It’s one of the original MINI GP’s.Known to me and others as 'ThunderBeast'. A stripped out, hand build, light weight and limited edition of the MINI. 2000 of them were built world wide, with mine being number 0545. There are a few hundred of them in the UK. It’s a bit of a modern classic too. It’s only 13 years old, but it feels very analogue and visceral to drive compared with more modern cars. And although everyone complained that the new MINI was massive when it was launched back in 2001, such has been the growth in cars in the last two decades, that these early new MINI’s now look quite small amongst the hum drum traffic.

That’s not all though. The added thing is that this car has a certain sentimental attachment about it. Its previous keeper was a legend on the MINI club scene, and a dearly missed friend - Adrian. He lived for many years with cancer, and was a support and inspiration to Andrew and I when Andrew was living with Leukaemia. He left us on the last day of 2016, and it seemed only right that I make his GP, mine. And what a car it has been. I’d always promised myself a GP having owned almost every other type of MINI there is, and it’s absolutely lived up to the expectation. I've had some real adventures in it, as you'll see below. I’m going to miss it dearly.

The intention was to sell the GP when we were ready to buy a house - That way, Adrian’s car would be enjoyed, and used to help us on our way. At that point in time, Bess was nothing more than a frustratingly obscure dream. However, the trials and tribulations of life happened. I found Bess, my career went up in the air, I had to pull my belt in for 12 months and endure the torture of having the car festering in the garage, unable to do anything on it. Our house deposit was tied up in the GP - something that I wasn’t prepared to compromise on.

And now, 12 months on, the deposit is safely in the bank, I still have the GP and it feels right for me to move it along for the benefit of my lovely old lady. I’m sure Adrian would tell me to do exactly that, knowing what a car enthusiast and sentimental soul he was.

As luck would have it, a prospective buyer heard my mention of selling the GP in a previous vlog update. After a few weeks of messaging via instagram we arranged for him to come and see the car. There was just time for one last trip out to Caffeine and Machine - a drive I won't forget in a while.

Before I knew it, the deal was done and I was waving goodbye to a frankly fantastic car. I won't lie, it was a bit of a sad moment. But knowing that he's off to a fellow enthusiast, and will form part of a very special collection has softened the blow. One of many sacrifices that I’m sure I’ll have to make for Bess. But it will be worth it.

Next time, I’ll share just how I managed to come into the position of all the amazing history that I have on Bess.

The journey: It's been a year

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 17:14:10 GMT

I could hardly believe my eyes when I woke up this morning. The usual pre-work routine started with coffee, a shower and a check on social media. There, at the top of my Facebook timeline, was a post form last year...

I can't quite believe I've had her in my ownership for a whole year.

Within a few minutes, I received a message from one of the chaps that was so instrumental in making that day happen, who also couldn't believe that a whole year had gone by.

I reflected on it for most of today. I'm still so proud to have her back. I'm proud that I've found some deeper meaning with this project. I'm elated that my grandad can rest easy knowing that Bess is where she was always intended to be. And I'm still amazed by the history and information that we've uncovered.

But there's also some frustration and disappointment in there too. A whole year has gone by, and we've only managed to strip out the interior - and even that happened in the last few weeks. Even logging back onto the website, I was met with the realisation that it's been weeks and weeks since my last update. There are part finished blogs sitting in draft status that I've just not had the time to get to.

Although it feels like the blink of an eye since we were hauling Bessy out of that garden on a beautiful summer morning, it has felt like a very long year in many other senses. In the autumn of last year, not long after getting her back home, my professional life was turned on its head. My job has always meant a lot to me and the events of October and November 2018 shook my core. Add to this, a monumental balls-up somewhere between my employer and her majesty revenue and customs meant that I was paying back a sizable underpayment in income tax. Couple this with a truck load of uncertainty, and you can see why I shut down and stopped doing many of the things that I wanted and indeed planned to do.

It's not been THE most difficult year of my life, but it has been a real challenge. It's tested my resolve and tenacity in different ways. It's required huge amounts of effort and diplomacy just to get from 9 am to 5 pm. And the one thing that has paid the biggest price for all that uncertainty, stress and anxiety is this project. The sad part, is that this has always felt like one of the purposes for me being on the planet. The start of something that will shape the rest of my life. Although I cared about my job and my career deeply, it has never quite matched that sense I got with Bess and the mental well being work.

However, after playing a very long game, I'm in a much better place today. I'm enjoying work again, I've learned loads and become a better person for it. Plus there are some really exciting developments on the horizon which will really help to give this project the boost it needs.

I really need to knuckle down and get on with things. But for now, a reminder of the day we got her back.

Here's to you Bess.

The journey: Fancy a cuppa?

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 22:52:40 GMT

Everyone loves a brew, right? Mines a coffee. But none of that instant stuff. I often find I have the best conversations over a simple coffee. Throw in some biscuits and it's even better. And yes, I do dunk...

Last month, I shared my story. If you've not watched that already, it's here . You may have already read in my follow up, that the response had been awesome. Well it continues to be. The power to overcome the stigma lies in the ability to have a conversation about this stuff. Normalise it. Take the 'heat' out of the topic as such. So what better way that to grab a coffee (in my favourite mug) and talking it through.

I've been really grateful for people sharing their views and their own stories with me. However, as they've done so, a few themes have emerged. I've paraphrased some of these themes and shared my view on them below. Have a watch, and get in touch, specifically on these three questions:

Have you, or do you identify with these kind of issues?
What stops you from talking about it with others?
What would have to change, for you to feel comfortable to have those conversations with other people?

I'd love to hear what you think. It's really helping me form what this project will look like and how I can use it to support young people to talk about their mental wellbeing more openly. You can use the contact page, or check out our I nstagram , F acebook and T witter pages too. Lastly. feel free to share this anywhere where you think it'll do some good.

Thank you, as always.

#MindYourMind

The journey: One last look before...

Sun, 09 Jun 2019 07:58:25 GMT

Another vlog. I need to work on my technique. Apologies in advance for my finger over the lens on a couple of occasions.

The sun was shining last weekend so my friend Lee jumped in his lovely Minor 1000 and headed over to mine. Together, we wheeled Bess out of the garage to start the process of dismantling and cataloguing the many components. A bit of a scary moment - looking at a complete car, and then starting to take it apart. But it needs to be done if we're ever going to get her back on the road.

As it'll likely be the last time that she's all together for some time (possible years!) I wanted to give you a look around, to take in the extent of the decay she's suffered in the garden.

So, here it is:

We did well. Very methodically, we stripped all of the doors down. It may not look like much, but locking mechanisms, door latches, window regulators, glass and quarter lights made for a lot of parts. We laid them out on the lawn and labeled everything up as we went. Very therapeutic. There were a couple of points where it looked like the years of rust and corrosion may defeat us, but persistence and brute force, mostly from Lee, managed to free up almost all of the bolts and screws. Just one of the door handles remains. One thing is for sure, they were very well built motor cars, with really good quality engineering behind them. If only it were still the case with modern Vauhalls...

She finally looks like a restoration project, rather than a decaying old car. As a bonus, the doors look like they're in better condition that I first thought. The rear offside is the worst, but all repairable. This was about 4 and a half hours work. Next steps will be seats and dash board. You'll have to stay tuned for more updates. Now we just need some more sunny weekends.

The journey: Mind your mind

Fri, 24 May 2019 16:12:42 GMT

It's been a week since my vlog (which you can see here .) The response has been simply amazing. The site has recorded a 10 fold rise in traffic which is ace. But the real win has been the handful of people who have reached out to get help after watching it.

It was a scary thing to do - but funnily, it wasn't talking to a camera about my story that was so scary. It was clicking 'publish' on the blog that I really wrestled with. But I rationalised that if it helped a single person, it was worth it. And it's certainly done that. I've had more than a handful of people who have messaged me to let me know that they're going to get some help. Half of the battle is admitting to yourself that you need it.

A friend who I've know for many many years got in touch for a chat. They'd been suffering in silence for some time and didn't know what to do. It's resulted in a meaningful conversation that's strengthened our relationship, added new dimensions to a great friendship and most importantly, got them some support.

A couple of colleges have also been in contact to ask for a chat. This is a major step and a big success. The corporate world can often be void of much needed emotion, and can push people to breaking point. Having the opportunity to forge a work-friendly conversation about how we feel has been empowering. In my current workplace, we really focus on safety - which got me thinking... You see signs to 'mind the step' or 'mind the gap'. We tell people to 'mind their business' or 'mind their language'... But we never tell people to 'mind their mind'.

How can you possibly be looking out for your own health and safety, and that of the people around you, when the most important tool you have in your arsenal, your own mind, is fried / distracted / blank / numb / racing / anxious / low / exhausted?

You don't have to publish your inner thoughts and feelings as I've done. I started to feel better the moment I talked to a counselor. Putting it in writing via a diary or private blog has also been hugely helpful. All that said, I'm so pleased that the vlog has positively impacted other people lives, and I've been left humbled by the outpouring of appreciation and support for sharing my story.

You'll imagine my joy at logging onto twitter to see this:

My great friend and long time hero James Davis (aka MGAlzheimers ), who's an aficionado of rare commercial vehicles as well as lovely old sports cars, has decided to sell of one of his van projects and donate the funds to Mind. An incredibly generous gesture.

So you'll see more about 'mind your mind' in the future. It's really exciting to see how this project is growing. To all of you that have read, shared, and talked about this - Thank you.

#mindyourmind

The journey: Mental health awareness week - My story

Sat, 18 May 2019 09:40:47 GMT

This one is a vlog. I'm trying to get myself more comfortable with vlogging - Go easy on me. I'm a novice.

WARNING: This is quite a personal and emotive update, where I share my experiences with poor mental health, what took me there and what I did about it. Please consider this before hitting play.

It's a big story to tell but I limited myself to 20 mins. It's slight less than that as it happens. Here goes...

If you need help or support, please visit mind.org.uk and check out there guide to support and services. You'll find that here . Also, speak to your GP. Lastly, use the contact area of the website, or the messaging feature on our social media platforms if you'd like to talk to me. Until next time...

#MindYourMind

The journey: X marks the spot

Sat, 11 May 2019 23:10:09 GMT

When I found Bess in a back garden, she was remarkably intact. All of the important stuff was still there. Clocks. Glass. Chrome work. All present and correct. Yes, there's plenty of perished rubber and rusted metal, but all of that stuff can be dealt with.

The only exception to the completeness of the car, were a couple of badges. Specifically, one of the front wing mounted 'Wyvern' badges had disappeared, and the 'X' from the grill mounted 'Vauxhall' moniker was also absent.

Now that doesn't sound like too big a deal. However...

The trouble is the grill on the Wyvern was totally different to the Velox and Cresta. It has a body coloured surround with individual chromed lettering attached. The Velox and Cresta feature a fully chrome surround with a debossed 'Vauxhall' moniker, painted in red enamel.

To complicate matters further, the 1956 cars feature a unique front grill design, christened a 'thick cut toast rack' (thanks Richard!) This differed from the previous year, where the toast rack was for a thinner slice. Pre-1955 cars featured a big chrome 'crossbow' grill. Finally, the last incarnation of the E series in 1957, had a 5 bar 'easy clean' design. I've put a comparison picture at the bottom of this blog if you want to see what I'm talking about. With the Wyvern being the rarer of the three these days, finding the missing 'X' wasn't going to be easy.

I've been scouring the internet and auto jumbles since July last year, but with no success. However, on the Vauxhall E series Facebook group, Brian Clare updated with picture of his stunning '55 Cresta. It turned out that it he was based in Australia, his car was a full restoration, and that started life as a Wyvern. During the restoration it had been fully upgraded to a Cresta, which included replacing the body colour grill surround of the Wyvern with the full chrome version found on the Velox and Cresta.

A brief exchange of messages later, and we established that he had the lettering and wing badges that I so desperatly needed. On the other hand, to complete the transformation from Wyvern to Cresta, he was looking for the interior coat hooks and a cigar lighter unit - neither of which feature on a Wyvern. Very kindly, he offered to not only send me the parts at no cost, but didn't even charge me for postage. In return, I've added his items to my shopping list of parts and will of course, return the favor.

On Friday morning, the parcel arrived. I was utterly elated when I opened it. As a bonus, there was even an Australian copy of the Vauxhall club magazine included. These little moments of victory are so important. It's yet more mental fuel to get the job done. It was also lovely to experience the camaraderie and generosity of like-minded classic car enthusiasts too. Brian, you're a gem. Thank you very much indeed!

Now, if anyone has a lighter unit or interior hooks for an E-series Cresta, I want to hear from you!

A look back: A move to Devon

Sat, 27 Apr 2019 23:39:12 GMT

It's been a couple of weeks since the last update. Some much needed down time over Easter was called for. However, it's time to pick up the story once again. You'll have already read about the origins of Bess, and met Mr Berkholz in the previous post .

For years, the Berkholz' lived and worked in and around London. However following a few years of retirement and the purchase of the Wyvern, it was time for a relocation. On the 12th May 1960, he and his wife relocated to South Molton, a small town just south east of Barnstaple in North Devon. Bess and the Berkholz made 17 Exeter Gate their home. It's easy to imagine that this would have represented a well earned break after years of working at London County Council.

Whilst there, the Wyvern was serviced at an independent garage, over an hour away in a small village on the South Devon coast. As the owner of any old car will tell you, servicing is a frequent requirement. It's quite remarkable to think that it would have often been driven this kind of distance for servicing work.

However, this arrangement didn't last long. Sadly, Frederick Berkholz died on 19th August 1961, just 15 months after their relocation and 5 years after retirement. His widow Winifred, would look to dispose of the Wyvern. Fortunately, it would be into familiar hands.

On the Tuesday 26th September 1961, the Wyvern was purchased from South Molton by the Oborn family. Stanley Oborn, his wife, father and mother, traveled to South Molton in their Austin A30. Stanley drove the Wyvern along the familiar route to the very garage that had been servicing it for it's year in Devon. Stanley's father, William Oborn, known as Len to friends and family, was the owner and proprietor of Townsend Garages on the edge of the beautiful sea side village of Beer. The business became the second owner of Bess.

The plan was to use the Wyvern as a courtesy vehicle and run around for customers who's cars were in for service work. It was clearly quite a step forward for the family business. The Wyvern joined a small fleet comprised of four Austins - two 18's and two 12's. Against these 30's/40's cars, the Wyvern was a considerable modernisation. So mush so, that it called for a photo shoot in South Molton, shortly after collection. In line with his apparent meticulous nature, Stanley noted the events of the day on the back of the photograph.

Some of you may be wondering how I came into the possession of this picture. Well, there will be more on that in the next blog update...

A look back: A brand new purchase

Sat, 13 Apr 2019 23:50:04 GMT

Every story has a beginning. And the story of Bess began with a Mr. Frederick Berkholz (jr.)

Mr. Berkholz (jr.) lived in Selsdon, just outside Croydon. At that time, it was classed as Surrey however it has since been absorbed into Greater London.

Of German decent, he was born in 1891. The first son of Frederick and Clara, and older brother to Albert. From the 1911 census, we can see that Frederick had secured a role at London County Council as a clerk in the educational department, however, a few years later, all this was to change.

While Frederick (jr.) and Albert were born in the UK, his father was born in Germany. This led to his father being interned in 1914 at the outbreak of World War 1. For Frederick however, he was to serve with the 18th London Regiment, Royal Irish Fusiliers as a Private. Here, he spent 6 months deployed in France, 7 months in Salonica and 8 months in Palestine.

At the end of the war, at the age of 28, Frederick married Winifred Bulling on the 6th September 1919 in Tooting, London. They didn't have any children and it would seem that life was pretty steady after the turmoil of WW1. With Frederick being 48 at the outbreak of World War 2, there are understandably no service records. However, it is clear that he continued to work at London County Council until he retired in 1956 at the age of 65. By now, he and Winifred had relocated to Byron Road in Selsdon.

Frederick would only have had to walk a few hundred yards to see Mr Bailey, the owner and proprietor of Selsdon Garages on Addinton Road. From this beautiful art deco building, Mr Bailey ran a Vauxhall franchise, supplying new Vauxhall motor cars to the Croydon area. It was here that Mr Berkholz stumped up the sum of £766 (around £13,500 in today's money) and ordered a brand new Vauxhall Wyvern E, in Black with a maple brown 'Vynide' interior. The only option specified was the 'super efficient heater' that would have been retrofitted at Selsdon Garages.

On St. Valentine's day, 14th February 1956, the Vauxhall hit the road for the very first time, piloted by her first custodian, Mr Frederick Berkholz. Although it would be another 30 years before this humble Wyvern would earn her name, Black Bess.

The journey: The Lancaster review

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 20:20:44 GMT

It's been a few weeks since the Restoration Classic Car show now. However, one of the many friendly faces I bumped into whilst I was there was Andrew Roberts from Lancaster Insurance. Andrew was not only incredibly well researched on Bess' story, but was an enthusiast of all things 50s. A couple of days after the show, the Lancaster blog was updated with reflections on the show. Here, Andrew highlighted our lovely Wyvern as the winner of his “What Car Would I Like To Occupy A Space in My Garage” prize. And that was against some marvelous competition:

"Largely because I am somewhat of a 1950s throwback in terms of style and popular culture, I found myself torn between a Morris Isis, a 6/80 (shades of Scotland Yard films) and a duotone green Riley Two Point Six, one of the most handsome British cars of the 1950s, but it ultimately went to the 1956 E-Series Wyvern of the Gay Classic Car Group. Their line-ups never fail to excel, and this year they have proclaimed the National Car Club of the Year.

The mighty Vauxhall had to compete with the likes of a Humber Imperial, a Hillman Imp, a Morris Marina Series 2 plus an Ital and even a C-reg Talbot Alpine, a form of motoring life that seemed to vanish in the mid-1990s. My opting for the Wyvern, who goes by the nom-de-Vauxhall as “Black Bess” is partly because she looked as though she belonged in a late 1950s crime film but mainly because it once belonged to the grandfather of her owner Elliot Dunn."

After the show, Andrew was in touch to find out more, following which he has very kindly penned a wonderful article as part of the Lancaster Insurance blog.

You can read the full article on the Lancaster Insurance site here .

A huge thank you. I'm most humbled.

If you want to check out the round up from the show on the 26th March, you'll find that article here .

The journey: Video - The magic moment

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 16:22:28 GMT

You may already have read the blog from day 2 of the Restoration Classic Car show last week. If not, you can find it here: Day 2 - A Special Visitor.

Well it so happens that the lovely James Davies took a break from the MGAlzheimers stand to video the moment we surprised grandad with Black Bess at the show. And after a bit of editing, I'm delighted to be able to share it with you. Take a look here:

The journey: Restoration show - The final day

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 18:06:16 GMT

Day 3. Sunday was the last day. and well... it was a fuzzy start for some after the National Car Club Awards. And the reason? Watch this:

That's right... WINNERS! The GCCG won Car Club of the Year 2019 . It really was the cherry on the cake for an amazing day. The atmosphere in the room was electric and the pride palpable. I can't claim the credit. The team that run the club, organise the many local and national events, and curate the shows and exhibitions deserve a massive pat on the back. Their dedication makes the club so enjoyable for everyone else, and when you put all of this together, the results are super special.

However, after a late night we were back to it all day on the Sunday. It was just as busy as the Saturday. People flooded in. I was joined by my partner Phil for the day which was a real tonic against the physical and emotional tiredness that I was now feeling. Also, some of my closest friends turned up. Most of them have, in some way been involved with the process of getting Bess back. Whether it was hypothesising about how we could find the car over a beer, keeping my emotions in check when we finally found her, or driving a pick-up truck and trailer to winch her out of the garden and get her home, I couldn't have got this far without them. I don't doubt that they'll be an integral part of getting her road worthy again too - Love you guys. You know who you are.

We were once again surrounded by people. One of the first visitors to Bess ended up spending over half an hour giving me advice. Mark from South City Garages had worked extensively on 50's cars and owns an E-series pick-up truck. His has a V8 and has been lowered. His knowledge of the engineering aspects was vast. He was also helpful in highlighting some of the hard to find parts, suitable alternatives and where to get them.

Paul Wheeler also came to find me. He's spent 13 years doing up his stunning yellow '55 Velox E. Again, his knowledge proved to be hugely valuable and I'm sure he'll be a great point of contact for reference and parts in the future. I was also joined by Roy. He had some fantastic memories of his dads Velox. He even produced a picture of it that was saved on his phone. I was elated to see how people reacted to seeing our old Vauxhall. It clearly brought back some wonderful memories for so many people.

Taking all of this, and adding it to the huge sense of personal pride I have at managing to track Bess down, the joy it's brought to my grandad, and the support I've been given from friends and family, I couldn't be happier right now. It's exactly the fuel I needed to move this massive project to the next step. So what is next?

Well, a few more weeks of hard work on the day job before taking some time out, and starting the forensic task of stripping and cataloging the car. I've got some brilliant contacts for welding and panel work, whose work I've been able to see first hand. Once the car is stripped, I'll need to get the shell over for some extensive patching and fabrication. I'd like to keep the engine and interior at home, and renovate them myself. More to come on this in future updates.

All that remained now, was to get Bess back home. Once again, Bill at NGM Services was a true gent. His fastidious eye for detail, approachable manner and caring nature meant that I could hand over this incredibly valuable cargo with absolute confidence. Bess was quickly being winched on board the beautiful (and almost brand new) covered truck. I have no doubt that we'll be using them again. After a cuppa and natter with Bill on a much needed comfy seat, we sent him on his way and collapsed on the sofa.

The end of one of the most memorable weekends of my life. A huge thanks to everyone that helped make it so special.

The journey: Restoration Show Day 2 - A Special Visitor

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 18:51:04 GMT

Day 2. And Saturday was the longest of the days with the show kicking off at 9 am and the doors closing at 6 pm. The increase in footfall was immediately noticeable. Even before the doors opened, fellow club members were sharing the love with other clubs, checking out some of the amazing cars on display. I spent some time checking out the Ford Racing Puma 's, the Austin Counties Car Club , and ADO16.info to name but a few.

The first few hours of the show flew by. There were crowds of people all over the GCCG stand. In one corner, Tim's Marina receiving a new gear box. Tom's Saab underwent some heating and ventilation repairs behind the dash. Richie's Ital got a new interior and a good scrub, and Adrian's Beetle had an engine overhaul. We also had bodywork being done on Clive's Peugeot 406 coupe, while Mike was busy fitting a new hose to Alice, his Hillman Imp.

For Bess however, it was a simpler affair. Sharing the story and collecting information. The trouble is, that these 50s Vauxhalls are so scarce, that parts are almost impossible to come by. With such provenance, I also wanted to preserve as much of the original car as I possible can. This means, I need skilled people, who can weld and work metal, and folks who can give me hints and tips on where to find service parts and consumables from. I'll also need time and deep pockets. We got off to a great start. I found out about the types of paint used, some options for re-chroming, and a possible contact for some much needed oil filters.

But today was special for another reason. It was the day that we suprised my grandad. Some careful planning with my mom and sister, along with some generous help from the GCCG team and MGAlzheimers, meant we were able to collect my grandparents and whisk them off to the NEC. No mean feat for a couple in their 90's. Grandad had no idea where he was going, commenting that he thought it would be a furniture show or something. To add to their confusion, the NEC was also hosting Comicon, so the crowds of folks dressed up probably added to the mystery.

Walking through the main entrance and turning left however, we were faced with hall 5, and a collections of lovely old cars. Their faces lit up and we wondered in. Past Mini's and Rovers that brought back memories of cars they'd owned or worked on in the past. We slowly strolled down the hall, pausing at a Rover SD1. These were always a favorite of grandad's. He owned a 3500 Vitesse that met it's demise after an accident. He was deep in conversation with me, recalling the moment the near side wheel slipped off the tarmac, when he looked up and was faced with Bess. Side profile. Under the exhibition lights. Surrounded by interested people. Needless to say, it was a magical moment. He loved seeing everyone enthusing over the car, and it was the first time that he'd seen the timeline of the history.

The moment that made me happiest of all, was hearing him say that I knew I'd make a good job of getting her back on the road. At times, this project has felt overwhelming and daunting. Knowing you have the support and belief of friends and family in this way was just what I needed to hear.

We did get a video of the moment. This will be posted in a future blog.

While they were there, Ron and Marjorie met a number of my friends and fellow members of the GCCG. We popped over to the Association of Heritage Engineers stand for them to get a closer look at MGAlzheimers.

"Beautiful" grandad commented. "I'll dream about this car tonight."

After a nose around, a cup of tea and some of the NEC's finest cake, which also doubles up as a handy wheel chock, they headed back home.

Shortly after, another familiar face materialised - one that I'd not seen in almost 15 years. Shaun Winfiled is the chairman of the Jensen Club . But more than that, he's the father of one of my best friends from school - with whom I'm still in touch. It was really lovely sharing our thoughts and experiences with classic cars, and our memories of Kidderminster in the 90s.

The day drew to a close, and after spending some time with Rev. Colin Corke form the Austin Allegro club opposite, it was time to slip into something a little smarter. James and I joined the GCCG team, the fabulous Pete and Debi from the Transit Van Club , David and Mike from ado16.info and Dom from the Association of Heritage Engineers, and headed for the National Car Club awards. The GCCG were up for several awards. You'll have to pop back tomorrow to find out how we did.

The journey: Restoration Show Day 1

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 22:20:25 GMT

After three solid days at the NEC, (and a full day in the office today) I'm finally able to sit down and reflect on what an amazing time we've had at the 2019 Restoration Classic Car show. I'll cover it off in three separate posts, detailing the highlights of each day.

It all started with the fantastic team at NGM Services Ltd . Our driver Bill, transported the MGAlzheimers and Bessy from their respective garages and over to the NEC, with the kind of care and attention that you'd think was only reserved for multi-million pound race cars. More on NGM later.

Bess was quickly in place in prime position on the GCCG stand. She shared the space with one of the most eclectic and diverse collections of cars on any single stand in the show. From a quirky Talbot Alpine, the chassis of a Volkswagen Beetle, or luxurious Saab 900 cabriolet, we really had it all. As the public piled in, it became quickly apparent just how much love there was for the old Vauxhall. Within minutes, people we sharing their memories of being collected from school in one, having on as a first car, or even modifying one with a V8 and a lowered roof line.

Bess sat next to a 6 foot tall timeline, that told her story from today, right the way back to 1956. Her near side doors open so that passers by could marvel at the original interior, which is still in very good condition. A selection of her original paperwork sat alongside some photographs of her taken in the 80s and 90s. To add to the atmosphere, I hooked up a small speaker playing songs from the era.

One lady spent a few minutes looking around the car, circling it a few times:
"My husband and I had the most wonderful holidays in a Wyvern just like this. We went all over Europe."

I offered her a seat inside. She smiled and shook her head. But she did poke her head in through the open window. Upon hearing Sinatra singing 'The Way You Look Tonight', she slid onto the bench seat and sat with her hands on her lap until the final bars had played. She got out, held my hand, thanked me and walked away.

Another couple, Dave and Jackie, told me all about their days courting. He had a Vauxhall just like Bess. Almost 60 years on, they sat side by side, grinning like care-free kids. Not only that, Dave was a treasure trove of information on all things paint and bodywork.

James and I headed home on Friday night (via the pub) with a feeling of real warmth, and excited about the special visitors we had lined up for Saturday...

The journey: Final count down.

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 22:45:33 GMT

We're just a day away from the Restoration Classic Car show and final preparations are all but done. There's a lovely covered transporter arriving early tomorrow morning to take Bessy and the MGAlzheimers to the NEC. Hauling her out of the garage is sure to be a bit of a challenge. Thankfully, we'll have a winch to help, and the drive is all down hill. (wait until it's time to get her back in there again on Sunday night...) I've started to share the blog and this website in more and more places, and I've had some really lovely messages of support and encouragement. It'll be even better to engage with people face to face and let them explore the car for themselves mind you. I'm really excited about that!

For the first time, there will be a taster of the Bessy's extensive timeline stood next to her on the stand. As a sneak preview, here's a one of the photo's from the timeline. It features Bess parked outside Beneathway Farm in Dobwalls, Cornwall, circa 1991. Alongside Bess stand (right to left) John and Mary Wherry, who own the farm, and my grandmother, Marjorie Long. My granddad is behind the camera. This was one of many trips my grandparents took to see John and Mary. However, at almost 250 miles, the trip from West Bromwich to Dobwalls was one of the longest journeys my grandparents ever made in Bess. I'm not entirely confident that it was incident free...

For more, you'll have to come along to the show and see more. If you make it on Saturday afternoon, there's a good chance you'll also be able to meet my grandparents too. Although they're in their 90's now, they're thrilled to be spending some time with Bess and I, and meeting anyone who wants a nostalgic chat.

It's not all about our lovely Vauxhall either. I'll be sharing the stand with some pretty awesome cars from the club too. A classic MINI, an Austin 1800, a Beetle and Saab 900 to name but a few. Keep an eye on social media. There will be some updates as we get the car over to the NEC and prepare for the opening of the show at 10am on Friday.

Until then, it's time to get some much needed sleep.

The journey: Why we’re supporting the charity, Mind.

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 10:07:35 GMT

This simple, austere black saloon car holds a lot of sentimental value. As it’s unlikely that I’ll have any children to hand Bessy onto, it’s very important that I build a legacy for her. A higher purpose perhaps?

For that reason, as well as restoring her for the road, I want to use her story to raise awareness about mental health.

In Britain, 1 in 4 people will suffer with a mental health condition. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 35.

The focus will be on how we can to educate children and young adults to care for their mental health, in the same way we teach them to look after their physical health. I specifically wanted to use the story of Bess to appeal to boys and men, who historically have struggled to talk about and address matters of mental ill health.

It’s a cause close to my heart and something that has impacted me and members of my family. The full plan of how I’m going to do this still needs some work. But in that great tradition of starting with the end in mind, I intend for this to me much more than a simple* restoration.

Mind do amazing work. They provide support and advice that can empower anyone living with mental ill health, or indeed supporting people with mental health problems. You can listen to the president of Mind (and personal hero of mine) Stephen Fry below if you want to find out a little more. I’ll also put some handy web addresses and contact numbers on the links page of this site.

Why are we doing this? Well, it's simple. No one should live with a mental illness alone.

*I say simple… I’m pretty sure that this car is going to cause a great many complications, sleepless nights, unforeseen expense and general stress along the way. But I’m ready for it.

The journey: ‘Practical Classics’ Classic Car and Restoration Show 2019

Sat, 09 Mar 2019 00:31:27 GMT

I’m super excited to announce this…

Bess will be on display at the 2019 ‘Practical Classics’ Car and Restoration show at the NEC, Birmingham from the 22nd to the 24th March.

This will be the very first public outing of Bess since I acquired her. It will also be the proper launch for this blog, and the start of the very long journey to get her back on the road.

Being a total novice, I’m hoping to share the story of the car, whilst researching and seeking out some people and businesses that can help me with the restoration effort. I’m also hoping that some members of the family will be able to join me at various points over the weekend too.

If you’d like to come and have a closer look at Black Bess, get and advanced preview of the extensive timeline of events that have led up to this point, or simply just say hello, I’ll be with some lovely friends on the Gay Classic Car Group in hall 5 on stand 380 .

Also at the show this year will be my very good friend James Davis with his absolutely beautiful MGA twin cam roadster. Much like Bessy, the MG has an exceptional story to tell. Not only this, but James is using the story to raise awareness for the Alzheimer’s Society.

You’ll find the “MGAlzheimers” (and a very proud James) on the Association of Heritage Engineers, also in hall 5. It’s well worth a read of James’ page too: mgalzheimers.co.uk

Come and say hello. We'd love to see you. I've even included a picture of the two of us so you know who you're looking for.

Links:

Tickets to the show are available here: necrestorationshow.com

To find out more about the Gay Classic Car Group, please visit the club site here: gccg.org.uk

The Association of Heritage Engineers, their website is here: associationofheritageengineers.co.uk

A look back: What’s in a name?

Sat, 09 Mar 2019 00:31:26 GMT

Some of you may be wondering where the name came from. I mean, at first glance and with a society that is much more aware of inclusion and diversity, it could be all too easy view it as something quite offensive. However, it couldn’t be further from it.

For her day, Bessy was a very big car. At over 4.3 meters long, 1.6 meters wide and 1.6 meters high, she’s the same length and height as a 2019 Volkswagen Golf (if not a little slimmer around the hips…) Check out the image of an early E series parked next to a 2002 Vauxhall Vectra, taken at the Vauxhall heritage center in Luton.

By comparison, a typical family car in the 50’s such as a Morris Minor, was half a meter shorter, and almost 10 cm narrower and lower. Add to this, the robust and bulging bodywork, heavy doors and lashings of chrome, it’s not hard to see why she was referred to as a ‘bit of a tank.’

This was the inspiration for her name. An infamous British ‘Female’ Mark IV tank used in World War 1 at the Battle of Cambrai in France. Slow, imposing and quite unstoppable, tanks like Black Bess left onlookers in awe.

After being lost in November 1917 during the same battle, Black Bess became somewhat of a legend. And while and her fate remains a mystery to this day, it turned out that she was the perfect namesake for our equally lumbering, imposing and awe-inspiring old lady.

The journey: Hello – I’m Elliot.

Sat, 09 Mar 2019 00:31:23 GMT

I guess first things first, I should really introduce myself properly. I’m Elliot. Thirty-something. Long time car enthusiast. Potty mouth. And now the custodian of Black Bess.

For those of you that have never seen a car like this before, Bessy is 1956 Vauxhall Wyvern. More specifically, she is an E-series Wyvern. These were built in Luton, England from 1952 – 1957 alongside the more lavishly specified Velox and Cresta models. These E-series cars were one of the first examples of the transatlantic styling that we saw in Britain. This American influence went on to define a generation of music, fashion and pop culture well into the 60's.

I acquired the car in the summer of 2018 but my relationship with this car goes back to the very start of my life. I wish I could say that I enjoy driving her on a regular basis however sadly, her condition is a little less than ideal these days. It’s not so much TLC that’s needed but some serious surgery. We’ll go into why exactly such a well-loved and prized family car is in such a poor state in future updates.

In the meantime, the plan with this page is to simultaneously share some of the amazing, and quite exceptional history of Bess alongside her journey back onto the tarmac and beyond. Look out for updates titled ‘ A look back ’ where I’ll be bringing this history to life. I’ll also be sharing my recent and future efforts, titled ‘ The journey .’

For now, she’s resting safely in the garage under the same roof as us. Here are a few pictures of Bessy's current state (and one of my grandad and I too…)