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She was originally owned by Rupert Owen who lived near
Banbury, Oxfordshire, who owned and drove buses for a living.
Monty Smith, father of the present owner, bought her in 1944, at
Upper Boddington, for £75, as the family had grown too big for
the three-wheeler they had at the time.
After the war Monty owned a garage in Suffolk and BBM was
used as a runabout and taxi, it was not unusual for SIX people to
be carried to a dance on a Saturday night!
She was originally grey, with black wings, but became all black
by the early 50s. In 1961 she was sold, to a Mr. Hodgkinson
from Tostock for £120 and moved to London. In 1963 when we
were looking for an Austin Seven as our first car, Dianne found her for
sale near Thetford and outbid her Dad with £25.
She was resprayed again and we ran her for two years or so.
We went on Honeymoon in her and used her as our main
transport for work and recreation. We were then in the 750 club.
In late 1964 the engine gave up the ghost and after a drive from
Norwich to Bury St Edmunds in third gear! She was left to
gather dust and rust.
The latest, and last? restoration began in 1989, it only really got
underway when she was handed over to Ian Bancroft of Grantham in July
1998. BBM 69 is now maroon with black wings.
The complete body off restoration was finished on the 27th of
March 1999, in time for us to celebrate our 35th wedding
anniversary with a run out for lunch in her on the 28th.
BBM 69, an Austin Ruby de luxe ARR was first registered in
March 1937.