A photograph of Sir Robert Ropners car in the grounds of Preston Hall. This car was made in 1908-09 and Sir Robert is mentioned in a 1910 Napier brochure as being an owner of a 40 H.P. 6 cylinder chain drive Colonial Napier. The style of body was No.24 Colonial Napier Landaulette. The chassis including tyres cost £495, the body from £200 and the drivers canopy and windscreen £25 making the car worth at least £720 which was an appreciable sum before the first world war!
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Sir Robert Ropner lived at Clockwood house in Yarm, I guess this picture was taken in the grounds.
And not far from Ropner Park in Hartburn, ‘Hartburn Garage’ who at the time were Rootes Group agents in the early/mid 60’s were selling new Hillman Imps for about £510….
Perhaps even nearer Oxbdidge Lane Garage who were Ford Agents, where I ordered a Ford Prefect for £425 with a two year wait and never received the car yet. I wonder why?
My first new car was a Hillman Imp bought in 1965 it cost me £530 the registration was CVN726C in green, can’t quite remember where I bought it, most likely Stockton but I recall I didn’t keep it long, didn’t take to the rear engine and boy was it a cold car in winter!