Sir Herbert and a 1931 Austin 7 Saloon

[Tony Griffiths]

Probably seen before - but new to me:
"27th April 1931: English industrialist Sir Herbert Austin locks an Austin 7 at Pass & Joyce's showrooms before shuffling the key with the other keys in the pile on the floor. The person who picks out the right key wins the car."

The car is new - but notice the precautionary drip tray.

[Alan]

Yeah I went to a party like that once.

[Hugh Barnes]

[Steve kay]

As a prominent London dealership, why did Pass & Joyce think it nessecary to describe Sir Herbert as an "Englsh industriallist"? As for the shovel for key mixing, I shall leave any further comment to the ooh matron brigade, who have already risen to the occasion.

[Henry Harris]

RM with door locks??

[Tony Griffiths]

RM with door locks??

From the size of the lock. it looks to be a one-off fitting for the occasion. Judging by the pile of keys, it's unlikely to have been won.

[Dave Mann]

Yes I've seen this before and was surprised because I did't think locking door handles were standard fitment.

[Mike Costigan]

They weren't, Dave; if you look closely you can see the lock is a large external box - obviously unique to the competition.

[Nick Salmon]

Like Alan, I used to go to those parties. But I became so fed up of always getting the Morris Minor that I stopped going...

(They probably didn't tell people about the 40ft well underneath that mound of keys.  Hence the spade...)

[bob46320]

Makes you wonder where all those keys came from -expect someone will know!