The classics you love, drive and restore
‘My dad’s spirit is still very much alive in the Mog’ ‘My dad’s spirit is still very much alive in the Mog’
This is my most special vehicle, because my dad bought it in 1993 when I was five years old. We went everywhere in it, right up until my dad died in 2003.
Being only 15 at the time, I was too young to use it – and anyway my first car would have to be something practical to get me to and from my upcoming panel beating apprenticeship.
My family sold it – and it hurt to see it go to a new owner because it symbolised all my childhood memories and bonding with my dad. I used to visit my dad's grave, quietly promising him that one day I'd find the Mog and buy it back.
Fast-forward to 2015 – and the family who owned it actually saw my post on a Facebook group appealing for info. They were touched by my story and invited me over. I kept in touch.
Then in 2019 its owner Derek, a lovely ol’ boy, let me drive it at a rally, with my dad’s brother next to me in the passenger seat. The memory still moves me. Before we left, Derek shook my hand and promised me first refusal on it.
In September 2020, totally out of the blue, he offered me back the Mog. A week later, I went to Lincolnshire to sign the V5, grab the keys, warmly shake Derek's hand and climb into the very cab my dad used to climb into to drive us around. Words can never describe what it’s like to own the very truck that holds so many of my life’s happiest memories.
My dad’s spirit is still very much alive within the tin and canvas cab of this old ex-German Army
‘My mum bought it new and I PDI’d it at the dealership’
This very car was bought brand-new by my mum and I PDI’d it at the Renault dealer where I worked at the time. So it’s a real family heirloom.
Mum owned it for four years, then sold it to family friend. Then my wife needed a car, so we bought it back – she ran it for three years then sold it to a guy in Windsor. Big regrets! I called him a year later and ended up buying it back.
I’ve had it for 23 years now, and it’s a keeper. Seven years ago we did a body-off restoration. It’s now got everything rustproofed and looked after – I just service it.
‘I have owned it for 57 years’
I bought the Minor in 1967 when it was 18 months-old. I paid £435 for it plus £17.10s for a heater to be fitted. It’s now done 250,000 miles. I rebuilt it in 1984, when I brought it up to Deluxe spec, including fitting bumper overriders and door cards. I’ve had to replace various bits over the years, but regular servicing and renewing all the usual consumables have resulted in reli
