A few months ago I received a phone call from a bloke who wanted to know if I was available on the 29th December and also if I was willing to drive the Chevy down to Melbourne, well actually an eastern suburb of Melbourne because it was his fathers surprise 90th birthday and his father Bill, had a soft spot for the 1928 Chevrolet as this was the first car that he learnt to drive in at the age of 14 and would I be able to pick him and his father up at an aged care home and take him for a drive around the suburb... "Sure, no problems at all" was my reply.
Well today after the 90 minute drive straight down the Princes Hwy into an annoying side wind at a leisurely 73kph I arrived at the "Hansworth" nursing home around 11am where my mate Ray was waiting to take a few pix and shortly afterwards Murray, Bills sons showed up, greetings were exchanged and then Murray went inside to get his father and bring him out to the street
While we waited for Bill to come outside we chatted to Bill's 88 year old wife who had made her way out closure to the street to take a look at Monty... "It's a beauty, I do love cars, oh I love cars, you know I was a devil in a car... oh yes it's a real beauty", Bills wife was a sweetie!
The automatic doors to the nursing homes slid open and out shuffled Bill, a tall, well dressed gentleman with his two sons one on each side of him as Bill and his walking frame made their way and came out into the bright daylight and down the driveway towards us.. "Look at that car, a 1928 Chevrolet," were his softly spoken words straight away with a smile on his face, Murray got the introductions under way and we wished Bill a happy birthday, photos were then taken as Bill quickly headed for the front seat after his family explained that we were taking him on a joy ride..
Bill with his two sons on his 90th Birthday.
With the four of us all seated and Bill with a smile across his face we soon found ourselves out amongst the Sunday morning traffic of down town suburbia and motoring along Police Road with Murray and his brother in the back seat calling out the shots on when and where to turn because I didn't have a clue on how to get back to the restaurant where the rest of Bill's family were gathering to greet him.
While we drove Bill chatted about their dairy business that they owned, how he learnt to drive at the young age of 14 years in a 1928 Chevrolet tourer, how he got his license young and how they used to delivery milk in many 2 gallon metal tins which they tired along the side running boards of the Chevrolet and also in the back where the rear seat should of been installed, the three fellas laughed and chatted as I drove and quietly encouraged Monty up a few steep longish streets.
We soon found our way back to the restaurant where family members were waiting with cameras to take Bills picture and then he was helped down out of old Monty.
After a quick chat I again wished Bill a very happy birthday and we parted with a handshake and a smile.
Murray, many thanks for the initial phone call and inquiry about the use of Monty, never a problem and it was a pleasure to be able to help out your family, but more importantly to see that smile on your dads face as he walked down the driveway.
HAPPY 90TH BILL
Cheers Grant
UPDATE:
I received a email today for Murray, Bill's son that read -
Hello
Grant
On behalf of my family, I would
like to thank you again for last Sunday. It was an excellent day and my dad was
taken totally by surprise. I have attached some images of dad washing the Chevrolet as a 16 year old (around 1940). In one of the photos he is pictured with his
father but unfortunately this one is a bit blurry. I see you have updated your
blog (bought a tear to my eye) and these images will finish it off just
nicely.
Regards
Murray
Seymour
Bill and his dad in 1940
