I came from a long line of carpenters and in 1910 my grandfather purchased a new axe. In 1927 my dad was apprenticed to his father and received the aforementioned axe as part of his tool kit from his dad albeit with a nice new handle fitted. During the following 22 years a number of axe handles were replaced and the axe sharpened until ultimately the axe head was replaced with a new one during 1949. I inherited the axe in 1963 after my fathers passing and it now boasts yet another new handle and also another sharpened head which it still has to this day.

The moral of the story, is it still the same axe?.

Forty odd years ago an Austin seven was purchased in the UK and exported to Australia that was purported to have had a colourful history having been owned and driven by famous works drivers. When the vehicle was restored in the early 70’s the chassis was replaced as it was in a bad order, a replacement original body fitted as it too was beyond redemption, all in all a delightful car and restoration job with it’s original registration plates and log book supplied.

It beggars belief but rumour has it that the section of the original chassis bearing the the original number and two or three of the original discarded items were installed into a new replicated vehicle as the original car had been exported downunder. The motor registration authorities in England were also able to be convinced to make the original number plates available as the car was now in Australia.

One must consider that this is of course a compliment that the genuine car be considered worthwhile to duplicate. The fellow who restored the genuine car did a sterling job of its refurbishment and it has been used regularly without incident for nearly 50 years.

After 30 years of residing in Australia the Austin was exported to Belgium to a new custodian and subsequently returned to the UK a few years ago however I am lead to believe that the new owner has successfully appealed to the UK motor registration authorities and the replicated vehicle is no longer permitted to display the original registration.

Now, remember that axe?, it was in constant use since 1910 yet every part of it had been replaced but still considered to be the same axe.

Shouldn’t this magnificent car and others like it be afforded be the same opportunity as the axe to retain their proven identity?, afterall, the history and provenance  is surely passed on with the succession of owners.