We had an old jet-black Rover 60 c.1955, hand-built way back before British Leyland ruined them and fitted Lucas horns to the workforce, ( so they didn't give a hoot either ). It had a puny 60 b.h.p. x 4 cylinder 2-litre engine, with overhead inlet-valves and side-valve exhaust for some strange reason. Under the dash lurked a large black bakelite knob, next to 4 on the floor. Turned 180 degrees it engaged 'freewheel', that is, the car automatically coasted if you took your foot off the throttle, to "save petrol". This monster two and a half ton slug was a joy to drive, in leather-cosetted comfort, sneering down on lesser mortals in crappy Ford Populars through ones split-screen, (as they overtook one with effortless ease in first gear), but go down a steep hill in freewheel and the fun soon faded, along with the brakes!
Alan
