Mg Was Officer Cadet’s First Car Part Two

When I did finally arrive, I was the first officer cadet to enrol arriving in a car. Sadly, soon after, the crankshaft (always a weakness) broke on Balaclava Day near Darlington. The car was towed back and covered up while a knowledgeable friend stripped the engine down and a new crankshaft was obtained for the princely sum of £20 from Toulmins in Hanwell. However, my posting to Aldershot came through before we could rebuild the engine, and we negotiated the return of the car and pieces back to Hull (it might have been Douglas rather than Peter), and I had not heard of it since.

I was also delighted to read your article on the BMW 501 – a model seldom mentioned in motoring magazines over here. I have owned several of the marque, mostly 502s with the larger rear window, and loved them dearly. The 3.2-litre engine really brings the car to life, and both in their day would cruise at 10Omph. I have a 2.6-litre 502 in the garage part restored. One day I hope to finish it. Compared to the Jaguar and the 300 Mercedes, the BMW is a real driver’s car. Ian Grant London.