The classics you love, drive and restore
‘Loads of work, but it’s getting there’
1975 Reliant Scimitar SE5A
Graham Miller, Crofton, Carlisle
This was my neighbour’s dad’s car that was in a barn for about 20 years until he persuaded me to buy it. It was cheap, only £600! I’ve been through it mechanically, sorting out the brakes and rebuilding the rear axle apart, as well as doing bits and pieces to the engine.
We had some fun and games with the rear axle because to replace the halfshaft bearings you have to take the hub flange off; we ended up borrowing a press as mine wasn’t strong enough, and it took
30 tonnes of pressure to get the flange off – with quite a big bang!
It’s a lovely thing to drive – lazy, comfortable, and engineering-wise they were quite sophisticated for their
time, with a Watts linkage, Jaguar axle and overdrive, so you’ve effectively got a sixth gear. They’re very practical too because you can fold the seats down completely flat – I’ve done numerous runs to the tip with mattresses and the like.
But now the engine is a bit tired and the core plugs need doing, so I’m going to swap it for a new Essex V6 that I’ve just bought. It came from a Sunbeam Alpine that had come from the States. Then I’ve got to decide whether I should restore the bodywork…
‘It was only on 5000 miles when I bought it’
1955 Ford Popular 103E Mick Bennett, Luton
The woman who owned this car before me had it for 34 years, and in all that time she only did 5000 miles, so what you are looking at is a completely unrestored and original example of the breed. I have owned it for 15 years now and I keep it all original and use it sparingly – mainly summer shows. The headlights are a result of the back of them being buffed… so the colour is polished brass. The engine is all original, just carefully serviced. It is a time capsule a car.
‘Seriously, I’m going to be buried in it’
1998 VW T4 LWB Paul Johnson (left), Doncaster
I've owned this camper for 22 years now and I've even been as far as Marrakech in it for a three-week holiday. I'm a motorsport scrutineer and I took part in an event over there. It serves as both my office and my bedroom when I'm working at events.
I try to look after it and keep on top of any maintenance that is required, plus I get it rust-proofed underneath every year to help keep it nice. It has never, ever let me down and is very much a keeper… I'm going to be buried in it.
I've got a few other classics including a 1993 Ginetta G32, too. I scrutineered it at a track day and the previous owner happened to mention that he was thinking about selling it. I drove it all the way back
