Scarlett's Somerset surprise

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The Austin Somerset was produced from 1952 until 1954 and its 1.2 OHV litre engine would just about manage to pull this heavy bulbous car along at 69mph so I confess to a mix of surprise and delight when I saw one drive into the Bicester Heritage car park for The Automobile Magazine’s annual Oily Rag Run . The engine note sounded a bit more eager than the day it left the factory but otherwise it was a lovely original example in well-preserved condition and I went to meet the owner. Scarlett had made this car her own and with its careful coach-lining on bonnet and boot, a cheerful dancing mascot on the dash and evidence of spirited driving down the near side. This girl uses her car and her wardrobe as a means of self expression and when I asked about the exhaust note she winked and held her finger to her lips – she understood the importance of originality amongst the assembled throng.

I later discovered her father had shoe-horned a flathead Ford V8 into his Model A Ford and the young man, Tim, at her side had arrived in his Father’s enormous ‘58 Dodge Coronet and since both these cars enjoy a bit of competition it’s no wonder that Scarlett dons her helmet and has a go herself. She runs her fingers lovingly along the nearside bodywork’s scars and recalls ‘overdoing it a bit’ at a Curborough sprint and ending up on her side. A 2 litre motor from a Ford Pinto with a Sierra 5-speed box explains the exhaust note and the twinkle in her eye.

We enjoyed a different sort of music later that evening when The Automobile gathered a few drivers together for dinner and Tim entertained us with piano playing every bit as spirited as Scarlett’s driving. They took me for a drive next morning in the Dodge and I look forward to a drive in her father’s V8 Ford Model A.

(Text Robin Batchelor, pictures courtesy Scarlett)

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