NEXT GENERATION DIARIES
Despite previously living in a hangar above an office, Ellen Boughton’s Sprite is no ‘garage queen’ – she regularly drives it to shows and events
ENGINE 1275cc/4-cyl/OHV POWER 65bhp@ 6000rpm TORQUE 72lb ft@3000rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 97mph 0-60MPH 12sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 23-32mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, four-speed manual
HOW DID YOU COME TO OWN YOUR CLASSIC?
I bought it over Christmas 2018 – it had sat in a hangar over an office for more than eight years before I bought it. It was originally owned by a lady in Cornwall, before being re-located to Henlow in Bedfordshire as a wedding present from the groom to the bride. She ran it for a year before the car took a back seat while they brought up their young family. When I bought the car – which I named Hattie – one of my main goals was to keep it as original as possible. So, I treat any small blemish or mark on the car as part of its history. The only work I’ve done is to keep it running safely. There are a lot of classic cars already in my family, from a Triumph Stag to an old Lanchester, so there has always been something new to tinker with and learn on. My favourite Saturdays are those that I spend with my dad and uncle, working on the cars. Whether it’s re-painting the engine bay or just changing some spark plugs on the Bentley – it’s my happy place.
WHAT DO YOU USE IT FOR IT?
Mainly to go to steam rallies. My other hobby is steam engines, and the two go together a treat. I drive my car across the country to the different county shows and steam rallies with my family. I also get along to young member gatherings and have even had the car on the stand at the NEC Classic Motor Show. I take great pride in showing it and talking about its history. For me, the most important thing is for our younger generation to see how times have changed. Occasionally, Hattie is treated to a trip to the office and back on a summer’s day – or if some co-workers and I are off to a car show after work.’
WHAT WOULD YOUR OWNERSHIP TIPS BE?
Keep your car undercover! The best way to preserve your paint and limit rust is to keep the cars in appropriate storage. When I first bought it, the bonnet paint was severely sun-damaged and meant that a lot of T-cut and buffing was needed. My personal view is that if you own a classic car, you shouldn’t be afraid to take it out no matter the weather. The car is meant to be enjoyed and will also be enjoyed by those around you; they don’t belong in a locked garage. If I drive when there’s grit and salt on the roads, a simple jetwash underneath helps prevent the inevitable. Steam rallies peppering my calendar mean that I cover a lot of miles in it. One thing I would say – this car is a lot cheaper to run than my daily-driver modern MINI, and a lot more fun.
WHAT DO YOU SEE BEING IN YOUR GA
