Motor Mechanics - by Charles Joyce

In our final year 1967, a new subject came about - Motor Mechanics. Charles Joyce explains -

"Do you remember Mr Chopping 'Pranger' by nickname, buying an old car which was used as a project, for motor mechanics and learning to drive, I still remember Dean Revel kangarooing up the school yard, and Francesco Fasulo taking bits off the engine, and forgetting where they came from. I don’t think it ever ran after that. We used to practice driving it up from the Woodwork shop to the bike sheds and having weekly motor mechanics lessons. i seem to think it was a Morris Minor Shooting break but can't be sure now. 


After final exams, there was about a month or so until the end of term and until we left - we had the choice of catering, the kitchen experience, or Gardening or something else, it must have been a 4th year initiative . I think Alec Hudson went on to do catering at Henley College when I was there.

No Particular Place to Go by Chuck Berry was a popular song while our year were there in the 60's and conjures up the spirit."

No Money Down - Chuck Berry

No Money Down - Chuck Berry

As I was motivatin'

Back in town

I saw a Cadillac sign

Sayin' "No Money Down"

So I eased on my brakes

And I pulled in the drive

Gunned my motor twice

Then I walked inside

Dealer came to me

Said "Trade in you Ford

And I'll put you in a car

That'll eat up the road

Just tell me what you want

And then sign on that line

And I'll have it brought down to you

In a hour's time"

I'm gonna get me a car

And I'll be headed on down the road

Then I won't have to worry

About that broken - down, raggedy Ford

"Well Mister I want a yellow convertible

Four - door de Ville

With a Continental spare

And a wide chrome wheel

I want power steering

And power brakes

I want a powerful motor

With a jet off - take

I want air condition

I want automatic heat

And I want a full Murphy bed

In my back seat

I want short - wave radio

I want TV and a phone

You know I gotta talk to my baby

When I'm ridin' alone"

Yes I'm gonna get that car

And I'm gonna head on down the road

Yeah, then I won't have to worry

About that broken - down, raggedy Ford

"I want four carburetors

And two straight exhausts

I'm burnin' aviation fuel

No matter what the cost

I want railroad air horns

And a military spark

And I want a five - year guarantee

On everything I got

I want ten - dollar deductible

I want twenty dollar notes

I want thirty thousand liability"

That's all she wrote

I got me a car

And I'm headed on down the road

No money down

I don't have to worry

About that broken - down, raggedy Ford