South Yorkshire Times November 2, 1957
Toured 7,500 Miles in 24-Years-Old Car
Only One Breakdown on Long Trip
Students from Swinton and Cudworth in Scandinavia
Colin John Watts’ Austin Seven is 24 years old, but this veteran car was indeed a faithful friend, when 20-years-old Colin and his colleague, Mr. Paul Woodings, toured Northern Europe for three months. In 7,500 miles it only broke down once.
Older than Passengers
The story of this veteran – four years older than its owner and passenger – was told to a “South Yorkshire Times” reporter by Mr Watts, only son of Mr and Mrs JF Watts, of 8 Racecourse Rd, Swinton.
Colin and Paul, only son of Mr and Mrs Woodings, of 1, Pontefract Road, Cudworth, spent part of their holiday working. An architectural student at Sheffield University, Mr Watts said he left his friend in Helsinki, to gain experience in the medical profession, then he said:
“I travelled to Norway and for three weeks worked for a Canadian architect in Oslo. It was very interesting work available to me in my studies. We worked on a block of flats, designed in a reinforced concrete structure, which is new to Norway.”
Returning to Helsinki after three weeks in Norway, Mr Watts said he joined Mr Woddings again in Helsinki and together they set out for four weeks holiday in the north of Europe.
Pushed It Four Miles
” It was while we were touring Finland that our only trouble occurred,” said Mr. Watts, “and we had to push the car nearly four miles, before we reached a telephone.” However, the trouble was soon put right and they were on their way again.
” We travelled farther north, new to both of us, where we spent the remainder of our holiday before returning home in time to return to university.”
Mr. Watts said he bought the car three years ago. Since then he has covered 35,000 miles and driven in 11 different countries.
Mr. Woodings is a medical student at Edinburgh University and he and Mr. Watts, friends since their Ackworth School days, correspond regularly and spend holidays together during vacation.