My Ruby has been shot!

[Colin Morgan]

Yes, the 'bullet hole' was discussed on the Forum back in 2010 after I bought a late Ruby - CNM 380 - that came with a bullet hole story in the history.  The first owner of 30 years, Major Harley, had been out in Vienna in 1945 and was 'mentioned in despatches' after a particular incident.  This seemed to be the origin of the claim - the car had been shot at - and there was still a bullet hole.  However, the only hole was the usual one in the cowl.  Talking to his grandson, it turned out he had been a great raconteur, who had many other stories - including one of their going to a party dressed as Romans and breaking down, with the locals then being treated to a group in togas pushing the Austin up a hill.

I don't have a spare cowl here anymore, otherwise I would hang it from the hole to see how it sits compared with hanging from the bracket - does it hang better for spraying?