I have always enjoyed driving, when I first started there was actually room on the roads to do it! I have owned quite a variety of cars over the years, from all parts of the automotive spectrum!

Here is a pictorial record of the cars that I have owned - not all the photos are of my cars, I was not into photography much in my earlier life, so I have "borrowed" some pictures from other web sites (I hope the owners don't mind).

	My first car, a Ford Popular 100E, (not this one) bought from my brother-in-law for £25 - a very solid car - not so good uphill, especially in the rain (vacuum wipers) - I had to convert them to electric ones!
A bit more class - an MG Y-type saloon, used the same x-pag engine as the TC but de-tuned, not fast but nice to drive - sunroof, clockwork indicators, built-in hydraulic jacks, gearbox dipstick were just some of the features. More details can be found from the MG Car Club Y Register.
	My first taste of speed! I bought this Triumph TR3A from a flatmate, a super car - not brilliant acceleration but great to drive, excellent driving position, flyoff handbrake, love the exhaust note (especially with a 2-inch copper tailpipe!), electric overdrive on 2, 3 & 4 (100mph at 3800rpm in top overdrive!).
Not content with the TR, I was tempted by a Lotus Super 7. Great to have as a second car, short journeys were great fun, but a long trip was agony - nothing between your backside and the floor except 2 inches of foam rubber!!
	Sometimes the car was off the road, so I had to resort to one horse-power!
Sense prevailed and I bought another TR, excellent condition, shaved head (the car not me) and larger engine (2186cc), it preferred 5-star petrol (those were the days!). That is a dog on my lap by the way!
	Just for a change, I had a Rover 3-litre Coupé for a while, it was exceptionally smooth to drive, and huge - like driving a lounge!
Another view of the Rover, compare the size with the TR (my first one which I re-sprayed myself)
	There now occurred a change in my circumstances - it is commonly known as marriage, and includes mortgages and children. (the TR is the electric blue one now in its original powder blue). It is possible to squeeze one small child into a seat in the back of a TR with it's legs between the two front seats, but when another one arrives (where do they come from?) one has to admit defeat.
In order to accommodate both children and the several tons of equipment needed to keep them clean and fed I went from the sublime to the ridiculous and bought ....... ... a Ford Transit camper! The outside of a Transit is pretty ugly, so this is a photo of the inside - taken on a walking weekend with some friends (note the absence of children!)
	This is not my Mini, mine was maroon and rust, a gift from my sister who could not get it through the M.O.T. - I had a friend with gas welding equipment so we got it through eventually! Not much to say about driving it, the only comments I have is that whoever decided to put the electrics just behind the grille to get soaked by heavy rain, and whoever invented the bypass hose, ought to have their knighthood removed!
Back to a performance car - the Rover SD1 3.5 litre was a great car to drive, but the interior was tatty compared with the wood and leather in the old 3-litre. The engine was excellent, but spares very pricey. Unfortunately the body could not compete for rigidity with a large brick wall!
	The next car was an elderly Volvo 144s, the (sporty?) one with twin carbs. It was a bit long in the tooth (long in the mileage!) so it had to be driven gently - if you put your foot down it produced a cloud of smoke like the Space Shuttle taking off! Quite a comfortable car - and the lights didn't stay on!
I liked driving the Alfasud 1.5, it had a very "sporty" feel and sound. During my ownership the only event of note was being rammed from behind by a Police car! (he was't after me!)
	The VW Passat CL was a comfortable, useful car. The 1.8 engine pulled it quite adequately, between 3500-4500 revs it went very quickly. Unfortunately it got to the stage where the repair bills were getting close to what the car was worth!
Why not? I thought - why should the young ones have all the fun? So I bought it! The Mazda RX-7 is an amazing car (rocket) to drive - the only drawback is that every time the turbo cuts in the fuel gauge seems to visibly move downwards!
	The kids bite back! - "Dad, I want to learn to drive" - Insure the RX7 for a provisional driver?? - The 106 was a good buy - insurance just about affordable! I used it for work, and I liked it! The RX7 is off the road having a makeover - new diff, exhaust, wheel bearings, water pump, paint job etc... so watch this space.......
.....here it is! Back from the restorer - it feels like a new car (sounds like about six!) I suppose the stripes are a bit over the top (sorry!), but I like 'em! Such fun to drive, why doesn't everyone have one?? Hopefully it will last me for a few more years, ....until I get sensible!

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Page updated 30 June 2005