So extras added to the list price is nothing new
. At least back then it avoided the 50% purchase tax on the list price
One dodge was to buy a kit car such as a lotus 7. As long as you assembled enough parts yourself it was free of Purchase tax. Also vans were exempt, but fitting side windows to a van made you liable to tax - if caught.
Done a bit of research. Glycol antifreeze wasnt available for private cars until about 1926 (The military used it in WW1) Before then you either used plain water, and drained the radiator every night when necessary, or used wood alcohol as antifreeze, which evaporated quickly. Antifreeze was possibly comparatively expensive, and un pressurised systems often boiled over. So the temptation was to do without. I think I can vaguely remember a few people putting a paraffin heater under the car.
i think they were purpose made for the job, but maybe they used greenhouse heaters etc. Flaming heck !
My 1931 Austin 7 had a big brass stop cock on the radiator for easy draining. Not difficult as it was thermo syphon and no heater. I remember when buying used cylinder heads at auto jumbles you had to beware of those that had cracked due to frost damage. Possibly why motorists knew the dodges for sealing leaks. Mustard powder worked well. I imagine that in the 1950's many buyers could still remember the days of draining radiators overnight and didnt find it odd paying extra for it. Probably a nice little earner for the dealership.
