Squirt of Flower Can

Photographed by Robert Whitaker

 

Party in Cannes

 

London Motor Show

 

John and Cynthia at the London Motor Show in Earl Court, London on October 17, 1967. Later that evening, they went to Brian Epstein's memorial service.

Drive My Car

John passing his driver's license test with George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Paul McCartney cheering him on on February 15, 1965 in Weybridge

Usually when minors turn 16, they can't wait to get their driver's license... well, except for me. And John. And Cynthia. Truthfully, I don't know the age you have to be in England to start driving, especially in the 1950s? Here in America, 16 is usually the age to get lessons, a permit, and then the official license! As for my experience, it was quite different from John and Cynthia's. It appears they weren't interested, they normally relied on buses, taxis, and other people... as did I! For me, I was actually scared of driving. At the age of 16 when I should've been excited, a boy I knew and had a massive crush on died in a car accident without wearing a seatbelt. Another problem I had was that I wasn't living anywhere safe for a teenager to drive; outside my apartment was a main busy road. Meanwhile, when my family got to driving at 16, they lived in quiet areas... not me. Needless to say, I was scared to death! It took me until I was 22 to finally get my license and now I'm practically a pro at driving (except I'm sure I have many people yo tell you otherwise! However, in my defense, I live in Florida... we are the worst drivers with attitude). Alrighty, enough about me... 

So, yes, at 16, both John and Cynthia weren't interested. Not sure why other than it just didn't feel important to them. There were buses, taxis, friends, relatives, and feet... No Uber or Lyft, yet! Plus, I'm sure their weak eye sights also prevented the idea of driving. But once John got famous and got his eyes focused on cars, the interest sparked! Cynthia got her license first in 1964. With lots of money in the bank and settled in Weybridge, John started buying cars left, right, and center. He eventually got his own license on February 15, 1965 with Paul, George, and Ringo cheering him on... Cynthia was said to be there (but not photographed) and they celebrated with a toast of champagne. 

"It's good to see John back, and the others. I've been spending a lot of my time having driving lessons. Another dangerous driver to go on the road..."

Cynthia, 1964

"Of course, it's well tucked away but I've bought this Rolls Royce, as you know, so I'll be able to get driven up to town whenever the need arises. And Cyn's got the mini - she's just passed her driving test. Funny, I've never been keen to learn to drive. George, Paul and Ringo have all got high speed cars now - Paul says he touched 140 miles an hour going up to Liverpool the other day - but I'm just not interested."

John, 1964

"That's right. But it's not really for me. It's for my wife and child. I don't drive anyway."

John, 1964 (about the Rolls Royce)

"One Sunday, John took us to see George and Pattie Harrison. They lived in a long, low bungalow called Kinfauns which had a heated swimming pool and was on a private estate in Esher. Cynthia did the driving- even John had to admit she was considerably safer on the roads than he was."

Julia Baird 

Cynthia and John with her beloved Porsche in 1967

"By 1965 John and Cyn had settled into a relationship best described as one of peaceful coexistence. They had nothing in common, as both well knew, yet their marriage was far from unhappy. One of the only arguments I can recall was over Cyn's desire to buy a Porsche; John strenuously objected to the idea of her driving so dangerously fast a car, but, in the end, relented."

Pete Shotton, 1983

"Soon he got into cars as well. John was a terrible driver. He didn't pass his test till quite late and he was inexperienced and erratic at the wheel but he loved the look of cars. The chauffeur was also a car buff and he was always telling John about great deals that were going. I'd already passed my test by this time and suddenly I found myself showered with vehicles. I didn't choose them. The chauffeur would suggest them to John and I'd come out one morning to find my old car gone and a different one in its place. At first I had a Beetle, then a white Mini, then that was swapped for a green Beetle and one memorable day out of the blue I had a Porsche. That was a lovely surprise. The only problem was that some time later it was traded in for John's Ferrari so I lost my Porsche. I was quite upset about that. John even had a Rolls-Royce repainted in extraordinary psychedelic flower-power style. It looked like something out of a fairground and I believe Rolls Royce were very annoyed about it!"

Cynthia, 1994

I knew from the moment I first read about the Porsche from Pete Shotton's book that Cynthia was in love with the Porsche. I didn't know she had it for such a short time... One source said John crashed it. However Cynthia has said otherwise: that it was replaced by another car. She has expressed her sadness over John trading her beloved car for something else. John had a problem of not consulting his wife whenever he made a household decision. He didn't consider Cynthia's feelings nor opinions. He may have been generous but John was also impulsive. I think John saw himself as the breadwinner that is King of Kenwood. Anyway, Cynthia wanted a Porsche and tried to convince John to buy her one. From Pete's book, he made it sound like it was in 1965 but Cynthia didn't have her Porsche until 1967... So, maybe, Cynthia started her Porsche desire in 1965 to which John refused until caving in in 1967? I think John usually said yes to Cynthia's wants but said no to the Porsche. Why? As Pete mentioned, John objected to the Porsche idea because the car was (is) known to be a fast car and thought it would be too dangerous for Cynthia. Awww.... this is why I am highlighting this story to show that John did care for Cynthia. Well, Cynthia eventually wore John to relent but the Porsche didn't last long. I've wondered if John knew what he was doing to get rid of the Porsche to guarantee Cynthia's safety? Or subconsciously? We'll never know. 

John and Cynthia at the London Motor Show in Earl Court, London on October 17, 1967

John and Cynthia's cars 1964-1968

1. Iso Rivolta S 4 (1967) 

2. Ferrari 330 GT (1965; blue)

3. Rolls Royce Phantom V (1965; black, later multiple psychedelic colors)

4. Porsche 911 (circa 1967; gold)

5. Austin Mini Cooper (1964; white)

6. Austin Mini Cooper S (1965; black)

7. Ferrari (1967; red)

8. Volkswagen Beetle (1967 or 1968; green)

9. Volkswagen Beetle (1964; color unknown) 

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

If you know of any additional cars, please be free to comment below! I don't think they had 15 cars, it's an estimate.

Brian Epstein Memorial

Brian Epstein's last year of life hasn't been easy: his bread and butter (The Beatles) had quit touring and became a studio band, so his arrangements became less. His other acts (Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas, Cilla Black, Gerry and the Pacemakers) have either moved on or didn't meet the success as The Beatles and hardly went anywhere else. His personal life was rather in shambles with his homosexuality and the sign of the times not mixing well, and the death of his father. There's been mixed accounts on whether or not Brian was suicidal. I do believe Brian had hit some bumps, and he was suffering from depression, usually signs of suicide.... I really honestly don't know as I never met him, but I don't think Brian was going to give up on life like that. There's a sense of optimism, Brian did plan to meet up with The Beatles to see the Maharishi, he had plans. It may have been a misuse of medication, took extra too many, and lost his life in consequences. Either way, he died. The Beatles lost their manager and became vulnerable for business vipers wanting to get in on their magic, like Allan Klein who managed to sway John, George, and Ringo while Paul opted his in-laws (which wasn't a good look with favoritism and biased I'm sure John, George, and Ringo felt if they had settled on Lee and John Eastman). Their Apple business was also a mess... I'm sure if Brian had lived, Apple would've been better in organization. The Beatles were heartbroken, they were in Wales with the Maharishi, who pretty much used this opportunity to exploit Brian's death and use himself as the one to take care of a vulnerable band while offering his comfort words and wisdom. They returned to London and visited Brian's mother, Queenie, at his home in Chapel Street on August 29th.

"Queenie was sitting in the drawing room and the Beatles came in and I think Cynthia went up and gave her a red rose."

Joanne Petersen, Brian's Personal Assistant

With chauffeur Les Anthony while attending Brian's Memorial

On the same day, earlier time, John and Cynthia attended the London Motor Show and bought a Iso Rivolta, later that evening they attended Brian's Memorial on October 17, 1967. Apparently, Yoko was after John to sponsor her art exhibitions, annoying John... So, to do some damage control, John took Cynthia out that day. I would say at this point in their marriage, it was a struggle. It was two lives living separately under the same roof. Yet neither were ready to throw in the towel. 

"Getting John to underwrite her show was a huge coup and there was no way on earth that Yoko was going to keep it to herself. Triumphantly, she instantly sent out a press release announcing that she and John were holding an art exhibition. The white catalogue stated, Half a Wind: by Yoko Ono and John Lennon. John was very annoyed. Had Robert Frasser not been in jail he would have said, 'I told you so.' All John could do to retaliate was to solicitiously escort Cynthia to Brian's memorial service on October 17 and then very quickly publicly hold her hand at the Earls' Court Motor Show a few days later."

Tony Bramwell

(a few days later? The Motor Show happened the same day at the memorial!) 

When Brian died on August 27, 1967, John and Cynthia clung together while grieving. Brian was everything for John and Cynthia: he was Best Man at their wedding - which Brian arranged! And Godfather of Julian. Brian loaned his apartment for them to begin their married life, and introduced the ways of high class society and fine dining. There was a funeral on August 29, 1967 in Liverpool, but The Beatles didn't attend as it was for family and limited friends only. The Memorial was arranged for everyone to attend to remember Brian: The Beatles with Cynthia, Maureen Starkey, and Pattie Boyd, including George's parents, Neil Aspinall, and Mal Evans, the members of The Fourmost, Gerry and Pauline Marsden, Billy J. Kramer, Cilla Black and her husband Bobby Willis. The memorial was held at New London Synagogue near Abbey Road Studios. It started at 6 PMand officiated by Rabbi Louis Jacobs. Paul McCartney accompanied with John and Cynthia (Jane Asher did not attend) but left with George and Pattie afterwards. 

I don't know if there was a gathering afterwards, but I am sure there was. 

Most chronological books have the memorial on the 17th and the motor show the same day as How I Won the War premiere on the 18th, the following day. However, based on the clothes both John and Cynthia were wearing that day at both the motor show and the memorial were the same. I can't really see them wearing the exact same clothes the very next day unless they spent the night out and never changed until the premiere? That's the only logical conclusion but I very highly doubt it.