Monday 29 July 2013

Dad's fibreglass car and my first pony in Rhodesia. Still in the 1950's!

At the time of moving house, Dad had ordered a fibreglass car body from the UK. I think that the original plan was to build it up for use in the local car club driving events, but as far as I remember, this  never materialised!  The car was built with a Morris Minor engine, and when the weather was good, Mum would use it most of the time. It had an open cockpit, with no doors and I remember her always having to wear slacks when driving it!   One of the stories about this car that is vivid in my mind was when Mum was shopping one day; a school kid asked Mum what kind of car it was. She replied “it’s a Morris Minor”, so the friend with him responded  “ask a silly question and you  get a silly answer”!
My Dad's Morris Minor 'Special'. This must have been before it was registered as I see there are no number plates on it.  You can understand how my Mum could not wear a skirt to go shopping when she had to clamber in and out!

Soon after the house move, we had a stable and tack room built and then the search was on for a pony for me. By this time, my Dad was selling tractors and a lot of his time was spent travelling to farms in different areas. He had gone to a farm in Umwukwes, where the farmer was a keen polo player.  Dad asked if the farmer knew of any ponies for sale and the farmer replied that he had one that might be ideal for my purposes. It had been bred on the farm and although he had high hopes that one day the pony would be part of his polo team, Dusky, as the pony was called, did not have the heart for the game. So long as he did not have to ‘push off’ another horse, which is required in the game of polo, he could do everything else that was required; however, the game is tough and he lacked some of the heart and power to push the horse playing next to him out of the way.
Dad off-loading a Nuffield tractor that he had sold on the farm. Note the basic but clever loading platform!

After some discussion it was arranged that I would go up to see Dusky at the weekend, and before we knew it, I was the proud owner of a pony and there was a head looking out over the new stable door!!

The very next day I rode over to Lewisham Riding School to show Dusky off. I was so proud of him and everyone appeared to be duly impressed. It was of course going to be a long time before I was riding him in competition, as he still had to learn how to jump and nip around quickly in the gymkhana events. During the week I still rode the school ponies in class, but at the weekends I took Dusky to Lewisham where everyone helped me with his education. He was a quick learner and seemed to relish the fun of gymkhana events which involved lots of quick twisting and turning. 

Dusky and myself about 1958. He was just 14:2 hands high.
He was very strong, and at times it was all I could do to keep him under control. Jumping came more slowly to him and he did not seem to show too much enthusiasm; but when I took him on his first paper chase, he loved every minute of ‘running with the hounds’.

The Right Honourable John Long owned a pack of hounds and "paper chasing" became particularly popular in Rhodesia, where of course there were no foxes! Paper chases take place on a route laid out by a member of the hunt and he rides from starting point to the finish, dragging behind his horse, a sack carrying the scent that the hounds will follow. These events were also a magical training facility for young horses, as they socialised and learnt the manners needed in a crowd. I think that the horses enjoyed their day out as much, if not more, than their owners!
This first event seemed to inspire Dusky's jumping and from there on, he went from strength to strength. We used to ‘hunt’ a couple of times a month.
Above and below, photos of me from  previous years, riding the grey pony called Prince Charming at a gymkhana.


My Life Before Charente to be continued :-) 

 
The section of my life story during our overland trip is published on Kindle if you should be interested:-
 THE GREAT 1953 TREK
See HERE

15 comments:

  1. Loely Post and Pictures Diane - wow! your Dad's Morris Minor 'Special' looks so cool - I bet everyone stopped and stared as him or your Mom drove by ...

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    1. Graham it was quite unique so it definitely took everyone's eye. At times my Mum got a bit irate, but I think she enjoyed driving it! Diane

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  2. Do you still ride horses? Must have been nice to have a horses growing up. YOur Dad's car is a hot ride!

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    1. Rose I have not ridden since we left Africa. I was offered some rides at racing stables in the UK, but my back is not very good and I decided that it would not be a good idea. One fall on it and I would be in big trouble! My Dad's car in the 50's was quite smart :-) Diane

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  3. You look the part indeed of a good rider. Dusky looks a lovely horse. I bet you two had some good times together. The little car was an eyeopener then I would imagine.

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    1. diane thanks for the kind comment. Dusky turned out far better that I ever hoped. Yes you are right the car was an eye opened in the 50's. Have a good week Diane

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  4. The car is fantastic! Love your photo with Dusky.

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    1. JM both my parents enjoyed that car, I have no idea what happened to it, guess it was sold! Hope your week is a good one. Diane

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  5. It must be fun to drive that Morris Minor, that is one hot ride!

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    1. Rose my Mum used to enjoy the guys whistling at her but she would never admit it :-) Diane

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  6. Great car and horse. You look beautiful young lady with a good amazon style. I supose for you is great to remember that moments. Best regards.

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    1. Araceli this blog is brining so many memories back. It is hard to describe quite how I feel.Take care Diane

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  7. Dear Diane
    I am most interested in the sports car your father built. On the Buckler Car Register web site www.bucklercars.com/bucklers_in_africa.htm there is a photo taken in Rhodesia of a car with a Buckler chassis with the same body (Microplas Mistral) as the one on your father's car. The car in the photo is missing and we would dearly love to find it if it still exists. Can you remember or can you find out anything about the chassis of your father's car? Buckler chassis were made from round steel tube in Crowthorne, Berkshire UK. One design of chassis used Morris Minor axles/suspension. Bucklers were agents for Mistral bodies so it is possible your father ordered a chassis and the body from Bucklers.
    Regards
    David Montgomery, Registrar, The Buckler Car Register

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    1. Hi David, Sorry I can be of no help at all. To my knowledge, and I was quite young then, Dad imported the fibre glass body and chassis from the UK, but where from I have not got a clue.. He worked for Puzey and Diss in Salisbury who sold BMC vehicles and so far as I know he used a morris minor engine that he got from the company. I have no idea what happened to it. I would think he must have sold it as it was not around in later years. Both my parents passed on some years ago as did my brother so there is nobody I can ask. Sorry I would have emailed you but could not track down an address. Hope you get to read this despite the fact I am of no help to you. Good luck. Diane

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  8. Thank you anyway Diane. Very interesting to learn your father imported both body and chassis from the UK. Seems likely it was a Buckler chassis.

    Regards
    David

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