Southern Tablelands Heritage Automotive Restorers Club Inc.

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10^th Anniversary Dinner July 2011	Car of the Month

Brian Thomas’ 1965 Rover Mk. II - 3 litre sedan

Photos by Steve Cole.

BRIAN THOMAS’ 1965 ROVER 3 LITRE MARK II COUPE

(An Autobiography by the Rover)

This is my story, most of it is fact but some of the story is what I think happened.

I was made from steel, rubber, vinyl and sundry other materials, in Solihull, Warwickshire, England in 1964. I was given the best paint, leather seats and a factory vinyl sunroof so that my owners could enjoy the mild English sun. I was so proud of my appearance and I assumed I would provide joy and transport to a Lord or maybe a Baroness or even a Baronet. I held my bonnet and grille up high waiting for my first owner.

To my total surprise and dismay, I was taken to the shipyards at Southampton and found myself on a freight ship on my way to Sydney! I would never be able to proudly carry English Lords and ladies on their outings. Would I be treated like a transported convict in New South Wales?

I was a special order for Sydney businessman, Charlie Coe. Charlie was a very successful insurance broker and agent, operating his own business in North Sydney. Charlie’s clients were mainly on the affluent North Shore; he knew I would impress his clients with my noble poise and I would help him sell more insurance and make him more successful

Charlie was kind to me. He always put me in my own garage overnight and when I was not being driven on working days I was kept under cover close to Charlie’s office. I was kept polished, services with only the best oils, and was given the best care Charlie could muster.

I worked very hard for Charlie’s business. He drove me across the Harbour Bridge almost every day and all over the North Shore. I was constantly admired by Charlie’s clients. Sadly, some of the less kind clients poked me, sat on me or put finger marks on my windows – they only did these nasty things when Charlie could not see them.

I proudly gave some of Charlie’s best clients a ride on my plush leather seats and my fancy air conditioning. I was proud to be helping grow Charlie’s business. I was the only Rover Coupe in the insurance business on the North Shore. I was an insurance attraction!

By 1978 I became tired and sick. I thought I was for the scrap heap as Charlie drove me past Simms’ metal recycling yard. Would I end up as metal for a Holden? Or even a Ford? But no! Charlie had my motor and all the things on it that make me go, replaced. I felt young again!

After my transplant, I went back to work for Charlie. He was older now and did not work as much as he did in the past. We went on holidays to Queensland when ever Charlie wanted to take a break from his business. Charlie sold his business and retired in 1982; he changed my registration to ‘private’ and kept me as his private car in retirement. I had retired too!

Charlie had relations in England. One in particular, a handsome young man called Sebastian Coe who was a very famous Olympian. He ran like the wind.

Sebastian, as a school boy in the 1960’s, was an accomplished athlete and runner. He won county and schools championships for 3000m, 1500m and cross country. He broke world records in the 1970’s and went on to win gold medals in the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games.

Sebastian Coe was a regular visitor to Australia. During many of his visits he drove me around and to the South Coast. Over time, Sebastian became my effective owner.

I gave rides to many of Sebastian’s friends including an alleged romantic companion, Jane Flemming. Jane was also an athlete who won world titles and Gold Medals at Commonwealth Games.

In more recent years I was resting in a garage in Nowra. I was discovered by club member Ian McLeish from an advertisement in the Unique Cars magazine. Ian brought me to his farm in Sutton and gave me a refreshing clean.

I did not fit into Ian’s stable of shiny Mercedes! Ian sold me to my present owners, Brian and Benita Thomas. They take me on club events and on occasions to the National Botanic Gardens where I enjoy being safely parked under a shady tree.

I was made for Britain’s Lords and Ladies. When I was transported to Australia I thought I would never carry a Lord or a Lady. But I was wrong. Sebastian Coe was made a life member of the House of Lords and is now Lord Sebastian Coe. I have been driven by a Lord!

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