EMAIL OF THE MONTH
Classic emails,letters,tweets,posts & threads
Me in Memory Lane shocker!
Imagine my shock and surprise when I received the March issue of PC, looked at the Memory Lane feature and recognised myself strolling through my hometown! Not only did I see my myself on Plymouth Hoe, but I also recognised my favourite jumper! Almost unbelievable. At the time, I was running a 1964 E-type Jaguar… it was just an old sports car then without any real value and not wanted by most people. But I loved it.
And now, nearly 50 years later, I live in Germany and have quite an ‘Oldtimer’ collection at my weekend farmhouse. My varied assortment of classic vehicles includes a 1919 Model T Speedster via a 1974 Dodge Charger and 1985 Jaguar XJS to a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit. In all I have ten Oldtimers and lots of other vehicles to keep me busy – including a Bugatti that is only 1/4 scale of the original and driven by an electric motor (not on the road of course). My newest baby is a 1926 Chevrolet – a great little vintage car from West Virginia.
YOU’RE HISTORY
In answer to Matt Tomkins question (PC, May 2023), when buying any secondhand vehicle, I would argue paperwork really does matter. Yes, an up-to-date stamped service book at least serves to confirm that the previous owner has considered it worthwhile investing time and money to have the vehicle regularly checked over. As mileage accumulates attention focuses on replacing worn tyres, brake shoes and discs, steering and suspension bushes etc – all of which are safety critical. Later, the clutch and exhaust may have been renewed. Its less about 'who did it and when', far more important that a record of such works proves that it has been done as and when required.
Provided that the registration number has not been obscured in the advert, the DVLA and TfL websites can be used to view the MOT history and the ULEZ compliance level of the vehicle. Regular Failure or Advice notices for items such as tyre wear, oil leaks, brake imbalance etc put the lie to claims of 'no expense spared on maintenance' and excuses that the vendor has 'misplaced' the Service Book While all the staff at Practical Classics are well versed in the 'Caveat Emptor School of Motoring', some over enthusiastic PC readers may need a reminder that 'When paying peanuts, you might well end up with a monkey'.
