well, gen2, there are, even now, only 5,800 people at St A's including post-graduates as well as staff and, yes, the undergruates (bejants etc) still have to own one of the red gowns.
I went to Newcastle University in the early 60's and we, too, had to have Undergraduate gowns.
As to cars, talking to a friend the other day, we reckon only 2 to 3 dozen of us owned cars out a student population somewhat larger than that when you were at St A.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvFG0VnIurM