Bright young sparks!

3 min read

EXCLUSIVE

The classic car industry is thriving with youth at its heart

Staring HANDLE

Tim Morgan on a classic life well lived

Sliding doors moments – we’ve all had them. Those moments where had you chosen a different path, your life would have been so very different. That’s exactly how I feel about buying my first Hillman Imp – had I not done so my life would have been unrecognisable. I bought mine because it was a cheap car, nothing more. In fact, when I was first told about the Imp Club I laughed and thought how strange it was that anyone would want to be a member… then I joined the club. Another sliding door moment. I then started writing articles for the club magazine – and found that not only did I enjoy doing so, others seemed to enjoy my writing. A little bit later, an opportunity to write for this very magazine came along… starting me along a career path that has dictated my entire professional life. I began to meet fellow Impers – in person and online. Some of whom have become close friends, best friends and that’s even how I met my wife. So without an Imp and everything that came along with it, I wouldn’t have the family I have now.

I’ve had adventures all over the country – camping in fields with Imp friends, with some totally unprintable memories that will stay with me forever. We even took a group of Imps to Budapest and back, raising £10,000 for Cancer Research – experiences that are worth more than any sum of money, all thanks to a little car with the engine at the wrong end.

So what does the Imp mean to me? In short, everything. I wouldn’t be the same person without having bought that first one. It unlocked a lifetime full of interest, love and professional fulfilment. It was a true sliding doors moment.

WINNER

Katie Bushell was crowned the winner of the Bright Young Sparks initiative at the PC Resto Show in March 2023.

New concepts, new venues, new schemes. The classic car world is thriving, with young people leading the way. Yorkshire venue The Motorist recently opened its new store with a young team at the helm. In Derby, Great Northern Classics is powering up to provide apprenticeships, workspace opportunities, storage space and a meeting place for clubs and enthusiasts all on one redeveloped inner city site. Bicester Heritage continues to thrive with expansion planned and the Heritage Skills Academy is going from strength to strength. And the Great British Car Journey, with its young team, is expanding the list of classics you can drive at its museum in Ambergate.

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This article is from...

Practical Classics Magazine

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