See Homepage.

This page: Early 20th century Christmas & New Year greetings cards, designed for motoring enthusiasts.

Christmas and New Year best wishes cards.

In the vintage era.

Coincidentally this vintage card was the first addition to the site for the new decade (2010), and happens to be a Christmas and New Year's greetings card from the 1910s or 1920s. Evidently it was designed to appeal to the motoring enthusiast. Not only does it feature an illustration of a chauffeur taking two ladies for a spin in a fine vintage car, but the verse also refers to breakdown-free motoring. It reads ...

"May you be in good running to enjoy the happiness this festive season brings, and in the New Year ne'er a breakdown."

The vintage-era greetings card, produced by W. McKenzie & Co. of London, isn't dated, but the style of car suggests early 1920s. The lucky motorists, or aspiring motorists, to receive this card were Mr and Mrs Ernest Hawkins, sent by Mrs Alfred Roberts - perhaps a fellow motor-car owner and driver. The inside of the card includes a small painting of a snowy village scene, and a verse wishing health, happiness and prosperity to its recepient.

It's interesting to note that motoring breakdowns tended to feature in Christmas greeting cards for many years, as this page demonstrates.

Motoring-related Christmas cards from the 1950s.

The following two Christmas cards were produced by A.M. Davis & Co., Quality Cards of London. The first presents an unfortunate chap, who has managed to park his car (which looks rather like a Singer SM1500) into a wooden signpost, with predictable results. Only the inclusion of holly in the illustration gives a hint of the festive season, although the writing makes up for the less-than-seasonal scene.

Car-related Christmas card from the 1950s

The cheery verse continues inside the card, as do the illustrations, one of which resembles a BEA Airspeed Ambassador of all things. The full verse reads as follows:

"I might have called to see you, But cars so oft break down. I might have come by aeroplane, But couldn't land in town. I might have got wrong number, If I tried to give a ring. So I'm sending you this card, to wish you BEST OF EVERYTHING!"

The second of these two cards is also from the 1950s, although features a veteran car on its cover. The female driver hangs on for dear life, as her horse-less carriage streaks along the road. The car itself is printed on a separate piece of paper which is attached to the cover of the card, enabling it to shake if the card is waved about vigorously. The verse is altogether simpler in this example, but at least references to motoring breakdowns are absent here.

A festive motoring poem.

Peter, who resides in Canada and is a frequent contributor to the site and the forum in particular, emailed over this festive poem in December 2015, for inclusion on OCC. Many thanks for this Peter! :-)

OCC Saves Christmas.
'twas the night before Christmas
The thing wouldn't start
all that was needed was one tiny part.
It had to be somewhere in the box there came three
but now that same box was completely empty.
Perhaps there's an old one just hidden from view
despite endless searching the score was still two.
So down from the shelf came a big wooden box
with parts from old motors, dishwashers and clocks.
Each piece was examined but finally tossed
nothing was found to replace the part lost.
Mumbling and nashing and tearing of hair
a whole year of waiting, now total despair.
But a fairy was watching that cold winter night
and out went a call describing the plight.
They came in their dozens from near and from far
all of them members of Old Classic Car.
Some came alone, in other cars three
there was even a member from distant Orkney.
Rick's famous Dodge Crew bus was next to appear
with twenty more helpers and all of their gear.
They searched every inch from the ceiling to ground
then up went a shout "hey, look what I've found"
With spanners and wrenches plus odd looking tools
when it comes to mechanics, these guys are no fools.
Connections were fitted and bolts turned down tight
gaps got adjusted until they were right.
The battery was last to be placed in position
now was the time to go for ignition.
The button was pressed and the old engine turned
these guys were all experts and none were concerned.
With one tiny bang a splutter and cough
it paused for a second and then it was off.
Covers were fitted and paintwork was cleaned
everything polished until it all gleamed.
He strode from the shadows, that man dressed in red
each looked at the other, but nothing was said.
Only memories remain now of one special night
when they did what was needed, they did, what was right.
...

Return to the Motoring Collectables section of the site.

Custom Search

Old Classic Car (C) R. Jones 2023. Content not to be reproduced elsewhere.

Website by ableweb.