One of my observations concerning people who are growing old is how often they would be able to remember things going back 50 years yet could forget something that took place 5 minutes earlier. I have now joined that club yet I can remember every single car I ever owned. I should add that I have little interest in what are the subtle differences between the different models of car, I don’t like spending much money on cars and I tend to drive cars to the point when a change becomes somewhere between desirable and necessary.

Ford Escort Estate

This was the first car I owned. I was around 25 and had just passed my driving test. The car was to serve me well for several years. I brought the estate version of the Escort so that I could carry people and stuff such as my dad’s gardening gear as he went about his business as a landscape gardener. It remains my favourite car.

Austin Maxi

My first change and it was ok – but no more!

Morris Marina

A disaster with so much going wrong, brought as a reversed trade in of my old car in order to raise money, and was soon to be replaced.

Triumph Dolomite

The poor man’s Rolls Royce, with a sporty feel – I still remember fondly the plush interior and the real wood that adorned it.

Austin Maestro

A practical car that served me well for a season.

Vauxhall Cavalier

My company car that served me well for several years while running my own business and doing many miles. My one and only diesel.

Vauxhall Astra

My first new car that served me well for a number of years. It was the first time I had brought a new car.

Volvo 960 Estate

My first (so I thought) foreign car, attracted by its reputation of reliability, except this car by some odd quirk wasn’t.

Ford Focus

My first automatic. It served me well for several years until the head gasket went while driving on the motor way.

Toyota Corolla

I had earlier hired this model and was impressed by the pleasant driving experience. Given my experience with my previous car that by necessity I felt I needed to replace (I needed something reliable) and my growing disability requirements, I brought it, for the first time on HP. The pleasant driving experience continued.

Toyota CHR

My most recent acquisition with all the modern features, purchased from the garage I had brought my earlier car, having had a good customer experience, despite nothing wrong with the car it replaced, but even more disabled friendly. It seemed that this car could do almost everything without my assistance, without driving itself – although I daresay that day is coming. I expect it will be my last car.