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Hi,I'mSam,theoldcarlady,andaverywarmwelcometotheWheelsandDealspodcast.
TodayIsatdownwithMaxfromtheTireKickersPodcast,andwetalkedforsolongthatwesplititintotwopartswithabsolutelynoapologybecauseeverysingleminuteofthisisworthlisteningto.
Partonetodayisallaboutgrowingup.
Now,MaxandIarebothcardealers'kids,we'vegotaloadincommon,andwehadabrilliantreminiscent,arightlaughaboutwhatthatmeant.
Booketsandspongesattheready,thefourcourts,thecaravansonpictures,andthatSundayphonerotorwhenourdadhadachantinthepapers.
Maxalsoverykindlyboughtsomefantasticphotographswithhim,andyoucanseeallofthoseoveronmyInstagramandFacebookpages.
Justlookforattheoldcarlady,andI'llpinthemsothey'reeasytofind.
SopleasedostaytotheendtodaybecausewehavediscountcodesforDodoJuiceCarCareproductsandthechancetowinafantasticclassiccarwithclassicandvintagecarcompetitionsatadiscountedprice.
So,right,let'sgetintoit.
Thisisanepicstory,andIthinkyou'regoingtoloveit.
Ithoughtit'dbereallyinterestingtogettogetherbecausepodcastingaside,we'vegotonethingincommon.
Wearebothcardealers'kids.
Yes,absolutely.
I'mveryproud.
There'smydadthere,uhsadlynolongerwithus,butuhthatwaswhenhewassupplyingWestMerciaPolicewithalltheirpolicecars.
Sohelookslikehe'sintheSweeneybecauseit'sa1970s.
Exactly,yeah.
Butno,hewasveryproud.
HeIthinkhesuppliedalloftheircarsinWorcestershire.
Sohedidsellalotofpolicecars.
Sowhatinwhatera?
HejoineduhacompanycalledH.
A.
Saunders,whichwasanAustindealer,inthelate1950s,straightoutofschool,sowhenhewas16,andstayedtheretillthelate80s,thenhesetuponhisown.
Wellthemideighties,thenhesetuponhisown.
Sohewasacardealerallhislife.
Sodidhegetapetrolhesetuponhisownfromhome,washe?
Hesetuponhisownfromhome.
Wehadabigdrive.
AndIrealisenowwhywehadabigdrive,becausetherewasalwayseighttotencarsonit.
Amassivedrive.
That'snotjustabigdrive.
Hewasalwaysparanoidthatthecouncilwouldcomeandchargehimbusinessrates.
Sohetriedtohidethembehindatree.
Notbigenough,sadly.
Butsohesuppliedotherdealerswithcars.
Soyouknowdealershadpatches,whichwerebitsofwastelandwithportercabins,andtheylinedtheircarsupatazigzag,slappedsomebuntingonthem,andthenthatwasacarbeingresponsible.
Well,alotofpeopleintheseventiesandeighties,andmybrotherinthenineties,woulduhsquat.
Youfoundapieceoflandthatlookedsuitable.
Yeah.
Andyouwouldjustsetupyourpitch.
Yeah.
Pitchup.
That'swherethetermcomesfrompickedup.
Instantlyyou'reacardealer,wouldn'tyou?
Therewasnobarrierstoentrythere.
Itwasjustarrive,haveacar,havesomebuntingandgo.
SoonButitwasIImean,Ithinkuhwe'vetalkedaboutthisbefore.
Itwasjustsuchagreatchildhoodbecauseyoujusthadanarrayofcars.
Everynighthe'dbringhomeadifferentcarformetolookat.
Thisisthethingthatpeopledon'tunderstand.
WewouldhavemydadhadonecarthatwashekeptforhimselfinallthetimeIknewhim,andthatwashforhighdaysandholidays.
Buthewouldcomehomeinadifferentcareverynight.
Andmymum'scarswouldbeonatheywouldalwaystheywerealwaysforsale,eventhecarsmymum'sweremymumwasrunning.
Sowewerealwaysonthiskindofrevolvingdoorofwhatwehad,andandwecanIcan'tIcanrememberthecarsmymumhad,buttherewereplentyofthem.
AndIgoingtoschoolinadifferentcareverymorning,anduhifdadwastakingustoschool,itwouldbearewewedgingourselvesinatwo-seater,orifwegotbackseats,andyoujustyouliterallyneverknewMymumhadaBM2002forawhilewherewehadtoyeah,butwewalkedupeverymorningwithacarrierbagtositon,evenifithadn'tbeenraining,theseatswerealwayswet.
Sowe'vegottheseyoumusthavehadthatway.
Damncarsmell.
Dampcars,dampcarsmell.
Butyeah,it'sinwhatwe'veconsideredtobeanormalchildhood,andnowlookbackandrealiseit.
Soitverymuchwasn'tlikethat.
You'reverylucky.
BecauseIrememberatschool,people'sdadsusedtochangetheircompanycarseverythreeyears.
AndIrememberanotherladcalledOwenwassointohiscars,buthehadtowaitayearandahalfbeforeheknewwhathisdadwasgoingtoget.
SohewascolouringintohisexercisebookaboutaaaVauxhallBelmont,becausethat'showexcitingitgotforhim,youknow,theAstrawithaboot.
Andthatwashispeakcar.
Itwasveryspeclevelsensitiveaswell,wasn'tit?
Youknow,Imeanyou'rewewehadthisconversationlastweekaboutthe70sandhowspecleveldiddefineyoursocialstandingtoacertainextent,youknow.
Yeah,theshameofhavingafiestawithacentralconsoleorwithoutacentralconsole.
Orevenworse,ifacardidn'thavearevcounter,thatwaspovertyspec.
Norevcounterandyoujustdidn'texist,didyou?
Doyourememberthat?
Itwassospecial.
Itwasthedemotionthat,youknow,ifyoudidn'thityournumbers,you'dyou'dbeyou'dbeoutoftheGLX,you'dbebackinanL.
Thatwasathreat.
Windupwindows.
Oh,theshame.
Youjustwouldn'twindyourwindows.
Yourwifewouldneverforgiveyou.
No,exactly.
Whatwouldtheneighbourssay?
ButitbecauseitIrememberallthatcompanycarthing,becausedad'scompanycarswerewerealwaysmarinas,whichwasabadgeofshameinourhouse,exactly.
Butthenhe'dcome,he'djustborrowstuffofftheforecall.
SowealwayswentonholidayandroverSD1s.
Ohnice.
WehadafleetofSD1scoming.
AndandtherewasalwaysacueforSD1s.
Peoplealwaysthinkthecarindustryinthe70s,particularlyBritishcars,weren'tselling.
Buttheywere,youknow,thereweretherewerecuesforcredit10saroundthecorner.
SowealwayshadSD1s.
WehadlotsofSeries3Etypes.
Ohwow.
AndhehadanewmumhadanewMGBeveryyear,becausethatwasinthelatewell,inmid-70stolate70s.
Umyoucouldn'tshiftthemforloveandmoney.
Soparticularlytherubberbumpers.
SowehadlotsofrubberbumperMGBs.
Well,wethinkthatumthereasonwhyMGBvaluesaresolowforwhattheyare,Ithinkthey'reanincrediblyaffordablecar,isjustbecausetherearesomanyofthem.
Yeah,exactly.
Youcanpracticallypracticallyspecthem.
Yeah.
Ifyouwanttogoontoanyofthewell-knownclassiccarauctionororclassifiedsites.
AndIthinkthat'swhythattheyit'skeptthevaluessoaffordablebecausethereisjustsomanyofthem.
Alotofchoice.
Becausetheyproducesomanyofthem.
Yeah.
Samewithe-typesatthemoment,becausetheyrestoresomanye-types.
Imean,heuhDadhadjusthundredsofe-typescomingthroughallthetime.
Andtherewasjusttheywerejustchurningthemoutandtheywerecheapatthetime.
Andthat'swhykindofthey'regettingcheapernow,isn'tit?
Becauseyoudohaveayou'vegotalotofchoiceinyoure-type.
Theybuiltalot.
Alotsurvived,alotthatdidn'tsurviveparticularlywellhavebeenrestoredbecausethevaluesweresohigh.
Theywereatheywereafinanciallyyouknowaneconomicallysustainablerestoration.
Oneofthefewcarsthatwereforawhile.
Ijustthinkshadowsaswell,youcanspecthem.
Yeah.
Becausetheymadetheminsuchhugenumbers.
Yeah.
They'resoreadilyavailablenow.
Ititreallycontrolsthevalue,Ithink.
Yes.
Imeanit'sthat'sinterestingbecauseweneverhad,Ican'trememberanyRolls-Roycescomingthrough.
I'vegotaprettygoodmemoryforallthestock.
I'vegotsomepicturesofvariouscars.
Ican'trememberRolls-Royce's.
IdorememberpeopledrivingRolls-Royce'sinthe70s.
Yeah.
Becausewhenyoumadeitandyouwantedtoannoyyourneighbours,heboughtasilvershadow.
Yeah.
Andthendrovearoundinapuffofcigarsmoke.
I'msorry.
Idon'trememberushavinganyRolls-Royces.
TherewasathenuhafriendofDown'swhohadasilvercloud,andIwentinthebackofthatandjustgotobsessedbyit.
ButIthinkthatwasaonlyRolls-Royceexperience.
Ourswereabitmorehumble.
Youknow,wehadalotofBritishLeylandcomethrough.
See,Iknow,Iknowfromlisteningtoyourpodcastthatyouyou'vebeenteeteringontheedgeofashadowforawhile,haven'tyou?
Youare.
I'msingingontheteethoftheshit.
Ijusthitonesmallpushandyou'llbeinone.
Itwouldn'ttakemuch,it'sjustthere'salotofbadsilvershadowsaround.
That'stheproblem.
AndI'veseenallofthem,Ithink,now.
Everysingleone.
There'salotofthem.
There'salotofawfulshadows.
Yes.
Andthere'salotofveryniceshadows,andthere'sevenmoreinbetweenoneswhichareperfectlyusable.
Yeah.
They'repractical,useanimprovement.
Iwouldn'tbefrightenedofthembecauseanythingthatneedsdoingcanbedone.
Youknow,thoseenginesarefabuloustoworkon,partsarereadilyavailable.
Ithinklookoutforthesuspensionattheback,makesureit'ssittingrightattheback.
Thebrakes,ifithasn'tbeenused,willalwaysneedaserviceanditrunsontwodifferentsystems.
Butnothingthatcan'tbedone.
Yeah.
Sosoyourdadworkedforamaindealer.
Maindealer.
Ithinkhewasmaindealerfor25years.
Thenheleftthemaindealerinthe80s.
Becauseremember,therewasthatkindofThatcherboomaftertheFalklands,andupuntilsay1990,thetheeconomywasonfire.
Yeah.
Soheleftandbasicallyboughtpartexchangesfromgaragesinasortof30,40mileradius,andthenhe'dsupplyothersmallerdealersonpatcheswithcars.
Becauseyouknow,thesecarswerelikehotpotatoes,theywereconstantlygoingdowninvalue.
Youknow,you'vegotaglassesguidethere,thebook,thebookwasalwaysknockknockingmoneyoffthem.
Sohehadtomovethemreallyquickly.
Yeah.
Sohewouldsupplydealersandjustkeepaconstantturnoverofcarsaroundthem.
Okay.
Andtheninthesummers,onsschoolsummerholidays,I'dgowithhiminalittlematchingflatcapandgoround.
Didyouhaveapictureofthat,don'tyou?
No,Idon't.
Ohno.
I'vegotacoupleofpictures.
ButI'veI'dgoroundwithhiminmatchingclothesanddoingallthevaluingbecauseIalwaystalkabouthisperiodaswell.
Didyouhavethebox?
Didyouhavethebox?
Ididn'tneedit.
Oh.
Becausehejusthebasicallywenttotheportercabin,theylitupcigarettes,theychattedaboutalltheothercardealers,andtheyallslaggedeachotheroff.
Andthenhesaid,Oh,goandhavealookroundtheback,Max.
Andthenhe'dchattotheblokeandthensendmeoffroundtohavealookatthepartexchangesoftheday.
SoI'dcrawlalloverthem.
AndthisiswhenIwaskindofnine,ten,eleven,thencomebackandgo,Ilikethecortina,that'squitenice.
Andhe'dsay,Allright,I'llhavealook.
Sohe'dtakeitroundtheblock,thenhe'dgoinandoffersomebody.
Andhe'dsay,Max,what'sitworth?
Iwas500quid.
Andsoit'sat500quid.
Andthenhe'djustbasically,theblokecouldeithertakeitornot,andthenhe'dgohomeinthecortina.
Soobviouslyminimevaluingthecarsforhim.
Yeah.
Howwereyouvaluingthem?
WereyougoingthroughGlossySkytomagazinesoraweirdinstinct?
JustIdon'tknowwhereitcamefrom,justaweirdinstincttovaluesecond-handers.
Thecortinas,yeah.
Idon'tknow,youknow,marinasandstuff.
BecauseII'dbesoobsessedwithspec,havingreadallthebrochuresasakid,I'dkindofknowifthatwasanHLS,youcanactuallyhadanother50quidonitorsomething.
SoI'dbeobsessedbyspecandI'djustcrawlaroundthemandhaveagoodlookatthem.
Becauseyouknewtherustpointsonthesecars.
Youknow,carsofthe70s,they'realwaysrusting,butyoucouldseewheretypicallytheywent.
Ithinktheyweren'tmadeofthebeststeel,werethey?
No.
ButiftheyhadaZybartsticker,youthought,oh,that'sokaythen,isn'tit?
That'sanextra50quid.
MyPorsche'snotaZybartstickers.
Zybartstickers.
Andthenlateron,AntiquesRoadshowstickersforthatwindow,becausewho'sgoingtoabuseacarthatgoestotheAntiqueRoadshow?
NationalTruststickers,theywerealwaysgood.
NationalTruststickers.
Therewasalsotheifyouappliedforanewlogbook,youalwaysdiditinthenameoftherightReverendOkay,yeah.
LikePercyBishoporsomethinglikethat,right?
Forsomereason,ladyownersarealwayslikehighlyprized.
TherightReverendlikeHillaryJohnsonorsomethinglikethat.
AndthenifitwasaJagmarkII,itwasalwaysMr.
O'Cray.
DaphneorGreen.
Imeanyoucouldgookay.
Cockahistoryupdeadeasily.
Oh,thosecarhistoriesandandandalsoumtheclocking,wasn'tit?
Imean,Idon'trememberanycarsbeingclockedinfrontofmyeyes,butthereseemstobeahellofalotoflowmileagestuffaround.
Ithinkwe'vepassedthestatuteoflimitationsnow.
Exactly.
Okay,it'snoteasy.
Ineversawhimwithadrill,let'sjustsaythat.
Butlotsofthecarsthatweredoingthecircuit,becausethesecarswouldcomethroughhishandstwoorthreetimes,andtheywouldbesuspiciouslylowermileagebutworsecondition.
Ithinkthechancesarethatthedealeryou'dhaveboughtthemoffhaddoneit,andthedealerhesoldthemtowouldthendoitagain.
Idon'tthinkyourdadwouldhaveprobablyneededtohavegotinvolvedinthat.
Ifyou'redoingtrade-to-trade,there'snoadvantageindoingthat.
Yeah,exactly.
Idon'tthink.
Sotheyallknew.
It'slikeit'sevennow,youknow,everyE-typehasalwaysdone70,000miles,whetherit'saSeries1,2,or3.
They'vealwaysdoneabout70.
AndalsotheMerckSLs,whenIwaslookingintothose,nobody'severcrossed100,000milesinaMerckSL,whichisincrediblebecausetheygosowell.
Well,theyjustlosevalue.
Youknow,thevaluegraphdropsoffafter100,000miles.
Andit'sfunnybecauseI'mnotfrightenedofaleggyR107atall.
WhatIamfrightenedofisonethat'slowmileagethathasn'tbeenusedforalongtime.
SoIthinkbecauseyouyou'vedrivenyoursup,haven'tyou?
Yes,Ihave,yeah.
From220miles.
Fromthepotwolves.
Potswatches.
Potholes.
Becausethepotholes.
Andsoyourswillberunningreallywellbecauseyouuseitregularlyandyouuseitforlongjournaljourneysaswell,whichhelps.
WhereasIwhatmileagehasyoursdone?
99?
Yeah,exactly.
Yeah.
Itwas89,nowit's82.
I'vejustuseditinreversealot.
Yeah,andIdIweallweallgetveryobsessedwithlowmileagebecausethat'swherethevalueliesintermsofbuyingandsellingthem.
Butforcars,ifI'mbuyingsomethingformetorun,Ilovereasonablyleggy,butwithloadsofservicehistorythat'sbeeninrecentuse.
Yeah,absolutely.
That'sreadytogo.
IIrememberthatfromumJaguarXJ'sinthe70s,theSeries2s.
AleggyXJransomuchbetterthanalowmileageone.
Yeah.
BecauseforawhilewehadwehadquiteafewXJ6sandXJtwelves.
AndDadhadasilverXJ12andusedittodoweddingsin.
Right.
Uh,apartfromthetimethatonaSaturdayitjustemptiedallitsbrakefluidalloverthedrive.
SowehadtogoandcartthebridearoundinaBMW323i.
Oh.
Andherfacewasapicture.
Shewasnothappy.
SowestoppeddoingweddingsafterthatbecauseIusedtocleanthecarsofconfettiafterwards.
IjustIIcouldn'tIwouldn'twantthepressureofcockingsomebody'sbigdayupby,likeyousay.
Itwasalotofpressure,yeah.
Yeah.
AndIdon'tthinkitwasaparticularlyhappytime.
Irememberatleasttwoweddingshehadtoturnaroundandtakethebridehomebecauseshedidn'twanttogetmarried.
Andthenalsothenhe'sinthemiddleofthiskindoffamilyscrub.
JustpretendingtopretendingtoSomefightatthewedding.
Leaveit,Derek,it'snotworthit.
SoIthinkitshouldhavebeenme,andthat'sit'sallright.
Ithinkhewasgladtogetoutofweddings.
Ithinkhesawanopportunity,buthewasgladtogetoutofit.
Buthedidhewasalwayslookingforadeal.
AndthisiswhyIwassaying,youknow,weweretalkinguhacoupleofweeksagoaboutcardealers.
Hewasneveroffduty.
Hewastherewasneveratimehewasn'tsellingacar.
Sohecametomysportsdays,whichwasn'ttowatchmeplaysportbecauseIwasrubbish.
Tosellcars.
Buttosellcars,tomeetalltheotherdadsandchatandsmokeandsellthemacar.
He'dcomearoundthepoolatholidays,he'dbesellingcars.
Heplayedcricket,hewasaverygoodcricketer.
Youknow,he'dhe'dbowlsomebodyoutandthenonthewayout,sellthemacar.
Sohewasneveroffduty,butwassuchanaturalsalesmanthatpeopledidn'trealisetheywerebeingsoldacar.
Theyjustthoughttheyweremakingafriend.
Ithinkthat'sthesame.
Andthensuddenlytherewasacarandmoneyuhakeysandmoneytransaction.
TrevorBurrus,Jr.
There'salsothefineartofsomebodyaskingyoutolookoutforacarandyou'remanagingbytheendoftheconversationtoconvincethemthatisn'tacartheywantatall.
Theywantsomethingcompletelydifferentthatyoujusthappentohave.
Exactly.
Wasn'tthatisn'tthatinteresting?
Becausepeoplewouldcometohimandsay,IreallywantaCitroenDS.
IloveaCitroenDS,IwanteverythingCitroenDSIknowabout,IIjustwanttobuyaCitroenDS.
Andthey'dwalkawaywithafullcortinathatwassittinginthecorner.
Andtheydidn'tevenknowthey'dbeensoldacar.
Theyjustrealized,whatagreatidea'sarubbish.
Whydon'tyouhaveacortina?
They'dhavegothomeandsatdownandthought,what'sjusthappened?
Exactly.
Butthey'dbehappybecauseyouknowhewasadealerforalongtime,sohisreputationwaseverything.
Sohedidn'tsellrubbishcarsbecausehewassellingthemtopeopleonourstreet.
Hesoldthemtomyallmymates'dads,soldthemtohiscricketteam.
Everybodyboughtacaroffhim,sotheyhadtobeprettygood.
Ithinkyoutakereassurancefromthatthough.
Ifyou'rebuyingsomebodyoffanotherdadatschool,he'snotsellingyousomethingthat'sgotproblemsorthatheknowshasgotproblems,becausehe'sgottoseeyouagain.
Youknow,soitdoesitisreassuring.
IrememberbecausewhenIstartedworking,myfirstbosswalkedupthedriveandIcouldseehimfrommyhousethinking,whatismybossdoinghere?
Whatonearthisheherefor?
Ishegonnasackme?
Andthendadcameoutandhe'dsoldhimaGulfGTI.
He'donlymethimonceforfiveminutes.
Andhe'dsoldhimthislovelyMarkIGulfGTI.
Sohewasalwayson,andhewasaverygoodcardealer,becauseheneverreallyseemedtosellanything,hejustbecamepeople'sfriends.
There'safinearttothat.
You'reverygood,yeah.
Thereisafinearttothat.
IcanIcanremember,I'mverysimilartoyou,Icanrememberasakidthatwewouldbe,IthinkmymummentioneditinherintheDealer'sWivespodcast,wherewe'dbedrivingalongsomewhereintheStatesinahirecar,andmydadhassortofsslammedtheanchorsonbecausehejustspottedsomethingforsaleinapit,inashowroom,inaforecourt,andwewouldcomehomewithliketwocontainersworthfullofcarsfromtheStatesfromourtwo-weekfamilyholiday.
Wedon'treallyquiteknowhowithappened,butbutitbutitwas.
IthinkandIthinkIthereasonIgetthisisbecauseIIIIamthesamenowandyouaretoo,butwhenyourjob'syourhobbyandyourhobby'syourjob.
Yeah.
Butit'syourlife.
Youdon'tgoonholidaytogetawayfromyourjob.
Exactly,yeah.
Yourjob'salwaystherebecauseyouloveitandyouenjoyit.
Andififyouwereifyouwereonholidaysomewhereandyoujusthappentoseeifasalesignissomethingthatwascrazyrare.
You'vegottohaveit.
You'vegottogoinandhaveit.
HowamIgonnagetthathome?
Exactly.
Soallofasudden,beforeyouknowit,you'regooglingimportdutiesfromwhereveritisthatyouyouareandandandsendingagoodemailtoyourshippingagenttoaskthemiftheycandoit.
ButIIcanrememberthataswell.
AndIcanyouremembertheIdon'tknowwhetheryouwouldhavehadwealwayshadadvertsinpapersandmagazinesandSundayTimesandthatsortofthing.
Wejusthadachantin,heusedtocallitachant,couldn'tleavethehouse.
Wehadtoleavethehouseonarotor.
Andthisisevenwellintothe80s,andthenprobablyearly90searly90sforsure,whereweleft,wehadtowehadarotoronaSunday.
It'dbelike,I'mgoingout,it'slike,well,youcan'tbecauseIam.
You'vegotmambaphone.
Okay,toanswerthephone.
Tomambaphones.
Inapropertelephonevoice,Ihope.
Hello,andwell,withtheendofthewiththeendofyournumber.
Yes.
Notnotyournotyourareacode.
Hellotodoublenineone.
Havefourfivetwonineseven.
Yeah.
It'slikethatwouldmeananything.
Iremembermymumgoingoverandpickingupthephonebecauseyou'reright,becauseweuhdadusedtoadvertiseontheMorganGazetteandtheWorcesterEveningNews.
IthinktheWorcesterEveningNewswasdaily,buttheMorganGazettewasonFriday,it'sbigmarket.
MorganGazetteandLedburyReporter,andthatadvertadvertwentinonFriday.
SoFridaynightswerewerein,uh,mymummanningthephoneandthenpassingovertohimasthoughtherewasateamofpeople.
I'vegottospeakthroughtwoaccounts.
Icanrememberdoingthingslikeumlikewhenyouwerewhenyouwhenyouwereateenagerandtherewasnosuchthingasmobilephones,wasit?
Soifyourfriendswantedtospeaktoyou,oryou'vemetaboyoragirlandtheywerephoningyouanditwasallsortofquiet,yourbrotherwasupstairstryingtolistenandallthatkindofthing.
AndthenIcanremembermydadcomingandsaying,getoffthephone.
Exactly,yeah.
Offthephone.
Well,particularlyifyoudialedout,becausethatwasexpensive.
Itwasmorethanblockingthelineincasesomeonewastryingtophonein.
Thatwastheproblem.
Thatwastheprobleminourhouse.
Itwasalwaysabigbigno-no.
Ithinkforawhilewehadtwophonelines.
Sotherewasaspecialkindoflikecarhotline,andthentherewasthenon-phone.
We'dalwayshavethepitchorlaterontheshowroom.
Sotheadvertswouldalwayshavetwonumbersin.
Okay.
Thepitchortheshowroomandthenthehomenumber.
AndI'mI'mprettysuretheSundayTimesadsalwayswouldjusthavethehomenumber.
Right.
BecauseDadkindofhedidalotofdealingfromhomeaswell.
Sotheadvertsforthegoodstuffwerealwaysfromfromthehouse.
Soyouwe'dhavetheadvertsinthepaperforlikeredlineautos,butthenhewouldalwayshaveadvertswhereititwashim,andthatwasourhomeaddress.
Okay.
Andourhomephonenumber,becausethiskindofstuffwaskeptinthegarageathome.
Sothiswasthiskindofmorethewellitwasclassicandwasitthoroughbredandclassic,classicandthoroughbreduhTNCC,ThoroughbredandClassicCars.
Yeah,sorry.
Isheusinganycardealerstuffonit?
No.
Mycarforthelastsevenyears.
Thereweare.
Ino,itactuallywas,yeah.
Wasitreally,orwasitlikeforfiveminutes?
Mypersonalcar.
That'ssellingmyowncarormywife'scar.
Imean,Idon'tknowhowmanycarsweresoldasmywife'scar,butprobablyaboutthirtyayear.
Sheonlydroveonecar,it'sonlytheMGB.
I'vegotloadsofallthat'slikethis,they'refascinating.
Andit'sit'sthingslike,youknow,you'llgetatthebottomwhereit'syouownachauffeur-driven,thereweare.
Well,ofcourseitwas.
Isitasilverdoororasilverwraith,probably?
SilverWraith.
SilverWraith.
Andthenyou'dgetatthebottom,liketheclearancestuff.
Sothiswouldbestuffatsomepitch.
Butthat'sthebitwhereyou'dgetlikeDB4sfor2995.
Becausenobodywantedtodothat.
DB4manual,3750.
Oh,thereyougo,thereyougo.
Iwishwewerearoundthem.
Wecouldhavemadeanabsolute.
Ifonlyweknew.
Icanverymuchrememberthat.
Icanremembereventhingslike,canyougivemealifttoafriend's,orcanyoupickmeupfromschool,orcanyoudosomethinglikethat?
Anditwasalwayslike,no,I'vegotapuntercoming,I'mwaitingforaphonecall,I'vegotanadvert.
Anditalwaystookpriority.
Anddoyouknowwhat?
Weneverresentedit.
Itwasneveraproblembecauseitwasjustpartofus.
Itwasweknewnodifferent.
Iuhyouknowourhousewaspermanentlyopentocustomerssevendaysaweek,24hoursaday.
Socustomerswouldpopinatthemostawkwardtimes,youknow,nineo'clockatnight,knockonthedoor.
Uheventuallytheyputadoorroundthesideofthehouseasakindoflikecustomerentrance.
Becausehe'dsitinhisoffice,thenpeoplewouldturnup.
Youcouldhearthecigaretteslightingup,andit'slike,Mo,makemeacupoftea.
Thecallwouldgoout,andandMumwouldfaithfullycomealongwithcupsofteaforthecustomers,andthenyou'djustsitthereandchat,andthenthey'dleavewithacar.
Theonehalfofthehousewasjustfullofsmokeandcustomers,andtheotherhalfofthehousewasustryingtowatchCoronationStreet.
Didyoueverhaveitwherethoughthey'dbelikethey'dbelikesiblingrowlsorthedogwouldbechewingsomething,orthedoorandthenandthenthethedoorbellergothecustomeranditwasalllike,ohhi!
Hello.
We'dbepresentedtothecustomersasthekindofideaofthekindofperfectfamily.
Soit'ssafetobuyacarfromthisman.
Becauselookathisfamily.
Hello,canImakeyouacupofteaorcoffee?
Andthensay,Don'tbuythatshit.
Ivaluedallthese.
Valuedbyanine-year-old.
Yeah,butIthinkthatumthisleadsmekindofnicelyontonormallythepartfirstpartofthepodcastwithanyoneformeisdidyoufindthecarsordidthecarsfindyou?
Howdidyougetintothem?
Whatbroughtyoutothem?
ButIthinkwhenyou'reacardealer'skid,itkindofgoeswithoutsayingthatit'sjustit'salwaysbeenthere.
Ohgod,yeah.
AndIcanrememberwhenIlostmydad,IhadtomakeadecisionwhetherItradedonwithouthimorshutthedoors.
Okay.
AndIcouldn'tbearthethoughtofnothavingagaragefullofcars.
Yeah.
Ithinkthatreallythethoughtofjustkindofnotevensomuchshuttingthedoorsonthebusiness,butjustnothavingcarsaroundmewasawful.
ItwasitwasalmostlikeIIfeltitwasbreathedenoughasitis,butthethoughtofcanImeancouldyoucouldyoustart?
Yeah.
WellIdidn'tIIneverIneverwantedtobeacarsalesmanbecauseone,Iwasrubbishatit.
Andtwo,Ijustfellinlovewithcars.
SoI'dberubbishbecauseI'djustbuycarsthatIlovedthem.
Infact,hehadheforawhileIdon'tknowwhy.
Therewerelotsofcommercialsaround,youknow,Sherpa'smarinavans.
Yeah.
AndtherewasaBedford.
Becauseitwasgoodforbusiness.
Itwasgoodforbusiness.
TherewasnoVATorsomethingonthem.
Butitwasavatican.
ButIrememberwhenIwasfive,therewasaBedfordComavanthatwasinstockforages.
Ithadgrownmouldarounditswheels.
That'showlongitwasaroundfor.
AndIlovedit.
Andhesoldit.
AndIcamehomefromschoolanditwasn'tthere,andIjustburstintotears.
IwasinsolableforaboutsixmonthsbecauseIlovedthisComavanstuff.
I'vehadI'vehadonethatthatrollsCloud3ContinentalDrophead,Chineseeye,onlycarmydadeverhadeverything.
HeranCamargues,buttheywerealwaysforsale.
Butthatwastheonethatandweusedtogoawayonholidayiniteverysummer,drivetothesouthofFrance,Sundaylunches,andthatwastheonewhereIlovedthat.
Andwewesolditbecauseweemigrated,andwedidtakefourorfivecarswithus,butnotthatone.
Okay.
Sowemadethedecisiontotosellthecarswetookwithusweregoing.
Beforsale,sowetookacoupleof428s.
IthinkwetookthatWraith,wetookadawn,butbasicallybecausetheyweresomassive,thebigoldrollers,wecouldfillwedidn'thavetogetacontainerforourclothesandfurniture,wecouldjustputtheminthecarsandputthecanrollthecarson.
Butum,Icanrememberwhenweemigrated,IIsaidgoodbyetomyfriends,likenanasandgranddads,cheerfullywavedthemalloff.
Okay.
Whenthatcardroveupthepath,Iabsolutelybrokemyheartanddidn'tspeaktoherbecauseIdidn'tunderstandwhyweweretakingsomecars.
Okay,butnotbutwecouldn'ttakethatone.
Yeah.
Youdohavearealemotionalconnectionwiththesecars.
AndIjustuhthatmychildhoodwasjusteverynight,freshcarcomingin,absolutelylovingit,crawlingalloverit,learningthespec.
Thenwhenitwentdark,Ihadtocomeinside.
ThenI'dreadthebrochureaboutitandlearnthespeconthat.
Doyounotfindthat?
Youcangetinacarandyouyou'llbehitbyasmell.
Yes.
Ororadashboardorsomething,anditputsalumpinyourthroat.
It'sthatkindofit'snotjustnostalgia,it'semotional.
OrthesthenoiseofastarteronaonanA-seriesminiengine.
Assoonasthatgoes,ittakesmestraightback.
Orthesmellofunburntfuelinacar.
Justthestartermotorwithouttheenginestarting.
Youcanthatkindoflightnoisesendsmestraightback.
Butallofthatstuff,Imeanitwasitwassuchagoodchildhood.
I'vegotsomepictureshereinthevariouscars.
AssoonasIlearnedtodrive.
Whatwasyourfirstcar?
ItwasaVWBeetle.
Okay.
UmbecausebBeatlesarereallycheapthen.
I'vegotapictureofithereactually.
Iboughtitandthenhaditrestored.
Sothat'sthepre.
A1303withtheelephantfeetlights.
Andthenthatwasthepost.
Wow.
Soburntorange.
ButImeanthatwasthecarIkindofowned.
IwellputtheseonthescreenandIhadsomanycarsthatcamedown.
Iwassolucky.
NiceBMinthebackgroundaswell.
Yeah,323I.
It'snice.
Andaminute.
Yousee,therethere'sabitofgrassthere,butthatwaspermanentlycoveredincars.
Andthesearebushesthatwerehiding.
Series2XJ6?
Wasthatyourdad'swhenyouwere?
WhenIwas18?
Wasthat18?
18.
Lovedthat.
XJS3.6,
notthemanual,buttheauto.
HadthatwhenIwas19.
Oh,Iwenttouniversityinthatactually.
Youdidn't.
Yeah.
That'sunbelievable.
ImusthavecomeacrossasarightidiotturningupatuniversityinanXJS.
UhPorsche944.
That'sa1986944.
Isthatamobilephoneyou'vegotin1994?
Oh.
Gotthecarphoneconnectedsomehow.
What'sthis,asevenT78?
That'sa924.
Sodidyoudowellwiththegirlsatuni?
Uhno.
SothePorscheandtheJackdidn'tgiveyouahand.
Ninethe924,IgotnickedinthatforspeedingontheM5.
AndIhadthreeothermatesinit,twocrammedintheback.
Andthey'dbeendrinkingalldayandjuststankofbooze.
Sothecar.
AndwhenIwaspulledoverinatwo-doorRangeRover,thatstupidlyIhadn'tspotted,becausemytwomassivemateshadblockedoutmyrearviewmirror.
Lightsflashing.
Pulldownthewindow.
Isaid,No,Ihaven't,buttheyhave.
Andthey'realltaken.
Soyeah,Igotnickedwiththat.
MG,lotsofMGs.
AlwaysB's.
No,lookatthis.
Sprite.
Oh,IloveaSprite.
AnotherSprite.
Ilovemidges.
ThisisDadwhenhehadakindoflikeaSpritedemonstratorjustwhentheygotmarried.
Ohlookatthis.
Ialsohadsomerubbish.
FordZodiac.
Yeah,Imeanmymatesallwentcampingin.
Youcankeepthat,I'mafraid.
Thatone'sthetheMGs,Iwouldhaveallofthem,butTheXJSisagoodone.
CampingintheactualZodiac.
Didyouneedthetentordidyoujustallsleepinthecar?
Sobig.
WhatelsewasIdoing?
That'squiteaIlikethat.
Isthatyourmoodyartyphotowiththelightson?
Somefog.
Nofoglightsinthose.
AndthenthisisoneoftheSD1swewentonholidayin.
IthinkthisissomewhereinFrance.
WeusedtodrivetoSpaininoneoftheSD1sthatcameofftheforecourt.
Soitcameofftheforecourtwithlike50milesandwentbackontheforecourttwoweekslaterwithtwoandahalfthousandmilesandsomesandinthebook.
ButIlovedSD1.
IIthinkthey'reafantastic.
Hugefanofthem.
DidyougototheSD1standattheNECshow?
Yes,Idid.
Afewweeksago.
Yeah.
Absolutelyfabulouscars.
Sowe'llcaveatthatwithwhenthey'reit'slikelittlegirlinthebook,butwhenthey'regoodthey'rereallygood,andwhenthey'rebadthey'rerotten.
Yeah.
Youknow,youdon'twantyoudon'twantabadSD1,doyou?
Right,becausehewasaveryquickdriver.
Andbecausehegotawaywithbbecausehesuppliedthepolicewithcars,Idon'trememberhimeverbeingnicked.
Buthewassuperquickdriving.
IdorememberamomentinaSD1with3,500S.
Yes.
ComingovertheBravaHill.
Itwasinthreefigures,andtherewasacarparkedontheroadinfrontofus,anothercarcoming.
Andthisispre-ABS,andhewasdoinghiscadencebraking.
Yeah.
Whichmeantpumpingthethebrakesashardaspossible.
Yeah.
Whileatthesametimeholdingme,becauseIdidn'thaveaseatbelt.
Yeah.
Butweyeah,weavoidedthecrash,luckily.
Butyeah,hewasaquickdriver.
HeheusedtoliketheE9BMWthreelitreCSIandCSLcoupebase.
Andheovertooksomebodyonaroadtheresoquicklythattheyfollowedhimhome,wantingtobeathimup,I'mguessing.
Butthenwhenhegotoutofthecar,theyjustreversedoffandsorry.
IsthatliketheMondayequivalentofthekeyboardwarrior?
Yeah,exactly.
Yeah,it'sallangry,butwhenfacewithyou.
Nothingtodo.
He'sabitglad.
Andwhenhegotoutofthecar,obviouslywithawithafag,andtheyjustlikebackedoff.
That'smeinmyfirstcar,whichistheuhOhlookatthenumberplace.
Yeah,no,Ididthemainthing.
Anythingoutfromwakingtogoingtosleep,Ijustthoughtcars,cars.
Sowhatdidyoustudyatuni?
Politics.
Okay.
Iwasexpectingmechanicalengineeringthen.
No,no,whilethinkingaboutcarsbecauseit'sit'sjustforawhileIkindoftriedtostopthinkingaboutit,thinkingthisisnouse,thisisnotgoingtogetmeacareer.
Frogeyespriteoutsidetheirbungalowwhentheyfirstgotmarried.
Twominisinthefrogeyesprites.
Andtheminiclubmanvanthatheyouhehadnointerestinexpensivecars.
Itwasonlyaboutthethemarginsinit.
Yeah.
Soaskids,wetherewasaminivan.
IsthattheBedfordbehinditaswell?
No,Idon'tknowwhosethatwas.
Andtherewasjustabitofcarpetintheback,andthat'showwecartedthekidsaround,whichisjustthroughtheminthebackofthevanandstuff.
Youjustrolledaroundintheback,didn'tyou?
Doesn'tseemnormaltobehonest.
SeatswereSeatsforWarses.
Therewerenoseats,it'sjustyoujustsitonthefloor.
Andthenthat'sthethat'stheJonFlynnNewnewscardswiththenumberweusedtohavetorecitewhencustomersrangout.
Andamatchingkeyring.
Yeah.
Noexpensespentonthosekeyrings.
Isthatpleather?
No.
Plether.
Aplasticleatherplasticyoucanfind.
Ohno.
Buttherewasn'treallymuchmarketingapartfromthoseadvertsinthenewspaper,itwasjustwordofmouthandjustsupplyingtheseotherdealersandjustgoingaround.
Iknowthatcardealershaveadodgyreputationbackfromthosedays,andit'salltheArthurDailyandtheDelboything,buttherealityis,ifyouwereasupershadydealer,youcouldn'texist.
It'sjustyourownbusiness.
Youjustcouldn'tbecauseyoudidn'texist.
Thethingisaswell,youhadapitchoryousoldfromyourhouse,sopeopleknewwheretofindyou.
Andthosewerethedayswhere,youknow,wedidn'thavesafespacesandtriggerwarnings.
Ifyouhadaproblemwithsomeone,you'dgoandfillthemin.
Soyoudidn'twanttobetheblokeontheforecourtwithalineofangrycustomersbecauseyou'dhavethemover.
AndIthinkthatthisreputationofthedodgydealer.
No,youwouldn'thavestayedinbusinessbecausetherewereplentyofpeoplewhostartedupinbusinessandwerethereforsixmonthsorayear,butthentheyweresoongone.
Andtheydidthemoonlightflit.
Themoonlight.
Moonlightflit.
Doneaflit.
Westillsaythat.
Thatwe'vedoneaflit.
Andorit'sjustthatweleggedit.
Yeah.
Becausethereweretoomanycustomersknockingathisdoorsayingthiscarisrubbish.
That'swhyhesavedthegoodcarsforhisfriends.
Yeah.
Andthentheslightlylessgoodcarsweregivenaroundthetradetootherpeople.
SohewaslikeonlyBCA.
Yeah,exactly.
Justallaboutmovingstuff.
Andifitdidn'tsellatonepatchinamonth,he'dmoveitontoanotherpatch,moveitontoanother,andfinallyitwouldsell.
Everyseathasabuminthecity.
Mydad'sjustsaythat,there'sabumforeveryseat.
AndI'vegotI'vegothisoldstockboxhereaswell.
AndthehebringsalotofstockingfromtherewaslikeabigthemainMercedesdealershipinManchesterwaslikePortman's.
AndthemainsupplierofalotofAmericanstuffatthetimeinthe80sand90swasBaronMillett.
AndohIknow,yeah.
Iremembertheiradverts.
Alotofthestuff.
Well,heknewLawrenceMilletwasafriendofmydad'sanyway.
Somydad,youcanseehimbuyingstuffinfromthemaindealer,sothatwillhavebeenthetakingthepartexchangein.
He'deithergoandhaveacoffeeandwanderaroundtheback,orthey'dphoneandsay,justtakingthepartXinthat'sforyou,Ian.
Yeah.
AndhewouldbuyoffmaindealerswiththepartX'stoputthroughtheshowroom.
Andthere'squiteafew.
There'safriendofmydad'scalledLeeFarrellwhojustdidtradetotradeforalongtime.
Andyou'redealingwithprettysensiblepeopleatbothendsofthedeal.
Ithinkthat'sthat'sthething.
Andthere'snoexpectationsandthere'snocomeback.
Yes.
Andyou'vegottoprotectyourreputation.
Butandthatcomesbacktowhatwesaid.
Becauseoneofininthesmoke-filledportercabin,whatthey'dbedoingisslaggingofftheotherdealerstheydidn'tlikeuntiltheywalkedinandohmymate,howareyoulovelytomejusttalkingaboutyou?
Whatagreatdeal.
WhatagreatcarIhadafewlastmonth.
Butitwasthecustomers,becausehe'ssoldtofewerandfewercustomersbecausemostofthecustomerswerequiteweird,uhtheindividualcustomers,andtheyalwayswantedsomethingfornothing.
Andtherewasaninverserelationshipisthelesstheypaidforacar,themoretheyexpensive.
Themoretheywanted.
SoIrememberhimsellingaVivatosomebody,andthentwoyearslater,Ithinkhesolditfor200quid.
It'sagreentwo-doorviva,VauxhallViva.
Andtheycamebackthreeyearslater,havingdone25,000miles,sayingthere'sabitofanoiseinthegearbox,Iwantitreplaced.
Andatthatpoint,it'slike,no,mate,sorry,youyouhaven'tquiteworkedoutwhat200quidmeant.
Youknow,youbuyitandthat'sit.
It'sgone.
Soldascene.
Yeah.
Sowheredoyoustand?
I'mjustgonnaresurrectaquestionfromlastweek'spodcasthere.
IamcompletelyconfusedbythefactthattheclassiccarshavethesameconsumerlawsagainstthemasaTVfromCurries,forexample.
SotheyareringfencedfortaxandMOT,asweknow,sothey'realreadyrecognisedasbeingadifferententityintermsofmaintenance,howpeopleusethem,whenpeopleusethem,andexpectationsforconditionandthatsortofthing.
Yetthey'renotring-fencedseparatelyforconsumerlaw.
SoIIthinktheoldendayswhereyoucouldagreeasolderscenedealandyoubothagree,notstitchingpeopleup.
I'mnottalkingabout.
That'sthewholepoint.
Yeah,andlotsofpeoplecometobuyacarfrommethatthatknowthembettermechanicallythanIdo.
Yeah.
Especially,youknow,thecustomersfortheAmericanstuff,theytendtobeenthusiaststhathavehadthembeforeandhavehadthemforalongtimeandknowalotaboutthem.
Now,andifIsaytothem,well,thisistheretailprice,oryoucandriveitawaytoday,I'llgiveyoua10%discountoffthatprice.
Andanythingthathappens,yousortoutyourself.
Andifthatblokesaqualifiedmechanicorhe'sknowstheminsideout,orhe'sverygoodatspottingandcorrectinganymistakes,andacceptsthatduringthenextsixmonthsthereisgoingtobewearandtear,preventativemaintenanceasaminimum.
Mostpeoplethatbuywouldlovetheopportunitytosay,Well,I'lltellyouwhat,letme10%offandI'lltakeitasitis.
AndIdon'texpectanything.
AndIthinkthatonclassiccarsweshouldbeabletoringfence.
Yes.
Iwanttobeabletowalkintoadealandsaying,Iamagrown-up,youknow,Idon'tneedbabingaboutthesethings.
Icanlookaroundacarandseeifit'sallright.
Andifit'spossibility.
Yeah,Ithinkso.
Becauseit'sinteresting,dad'sbusiness,becausehewasrunningonhiswits,andIreallyIreallyappreciateditasIgotolderabouthowwe'dhavetogetupinthemorningandmakemoneyattheendoftheday.
There'snosalary,there'snowages.
Youknow,youhadtoliveoffyourwits.
AndasIgotolder,Irealisedactuallythatwasquiteahardexistencebecausehehadkidstobringup.
Mumworkedaswell,andactuallymum'sbusiness,itwasnevermentioned,butmum'sbusinessdidbetterthandad's.
Ohshh.
Butobviouslythatwouldneverintrudeonreality.
Don'tmentionthewomanbeingtheprimarybreadwinner.
BecauseheneverIneversawhimdoanyhousework.
IneversdidyouseeyourdadHoover?
Doyouknowwhat?
I'mgonnabehonestwithyou,Idid,becauseintheaftermymumanddadgotdivorced,theyendedupactuallyendeduplivinginseparatecountriesandmeandmybrotherwereYeah,baddivorcethen.
Yeah.
Thatwasabigone.
Sotherewasatimewhereitwasmeandmydadandmybrother.
Sowedidallkindofhavetoslightlymuckinalittlebitbecausetherewasnowifeinthehouseatthetime.
Butthiswasaverydemarcatedexistence,youknow.
Mumwouldgotoworkandthencomehomeandcookthetea.
AndthenononenightoftheweekonSundaynights,DadwouldcookuschipsbecausethatwashisonekindofSundaySundayroast.
SothatwastheSundayroast.
No,notevenjustjustchips,literallyjustchips.
Becausehe'dbeenworkingfromMondaytoSaturdayandhe'dplaycricketonSunday.
Sundaynighthe'dcookchips.
He'duseeveryimplementinthekitchen.
Yeah.
Itwouldhavetakenlongertoclearuphismessthantomakeachip.
ThenMumwouldcomedownandclearup.
Andthenalsowe'dhavetobesoincrediblygratefulthatDadhadcookeduschipsbecausehe'dI'mdoingsomeparenting,I'vecookedsomechips.
Mostmostexcellentparenting.
Hisjobwastosmokeandsellcars,andthatwasit.
Therewasnokindofmessingaroundwithwithparenting.
ButI'mnotit'sthat'snotacriticismbecausewehadsuchafantasticchildhood.
Butitwasavery70schildhood.
Youknow,itwassmokesandblokesonthatsideofthehouseandwifeandgetsonthatside.
Mummymumverymuchlookedafterthehouse.
Shealsoverymuchcleanedalotofcars,dealtwithalotofpunters,youknow,shewasverymuchpartofthefamilybusiness.
IthinkthatmydadI'vegotreallyhappymemoriesbecauseIusedtogotothepitchwithmydadonaSaturday.
Somybrotherwouldstayathomebakingwithmymum,bigoted,andIusedtogotothepitchwithmydad.
SoI'vegotreallyhappymemoriesoffreezingcoal,bucketandsponge.
Westartedoffwithcaravans.
Wehadlikeasmallcaravanandthenwehadabigstaticcaravanandthenwehadabigbrick-builtoffice.
Soyeah,wemovedweweremovingup.
AndI,youknow,IcanIIgotpaidinlikesweetSherbetPips.
WhoremembersSherbetPipps?
Imean,10pofSherbetPittsinthe70sisquiteeasy.
IactuallygotIdid20panhourforacar,andIcouldcleanIcouldcleanacar,teacutitandpolishitandcleantheinsideinfivehours,soImadeaquidonit.
Iremembertheexcitementofbeingpromotedtotakingtheteacutoff,notjustputtingiton.
Ohwow.
Becauseweusedtowe'dlikedoacartogether.
Yeah.
PrettysurelookingbackIwasdoingfuckorbutmessingwiththecloth.
ButhemademethinkIwasputtingtheteacuton.
No,Igottoallthetime.
ButIcanremembersoftcloths.
WhenIgottotheagewhereIwasactuallyteacuttingthem.
Andthenallofasuddenitfeltlikereallyhardwork.
Teacuttingishardwork.
AndItriedtodoitonacoupleofcars.
Andthat'sbeforewehadtheoldyoudidn'tplugyourhand.
Youdidn'tplugyouroffclothin,didyou?
WellIusedtoteacutanentirecar,andIrememberumVolkswagenredswouldalwaysgoveryoffcolour.
Andtheycouldreallybebroughtback.
Soyoucouldbuythemcheapandsellthemforagoodprice.
AndBLwhites,alwaysoldEnglishwhite,wouldcomebackreallynicelyafteragoodteacup.
Yeah,youputapostonaboutyoursilver.
Thesmellofthat.
I'vereadthepostandIcouldsmellbrasso.
Absolutely.
Youopentheturnandthat'stoxic,it'sprobablytakentwoyearsoffourlife.
Yeah,it'slikethatwasthemagicmarkerofmygeneration.
Wewedidn'tsniffglue,wesniffedbrasso.
Thesmellofteacup.
Ilovethesmellofteacup.
ButIIcanrememberaswellhe'dhavedifferentuhlikebrazingpastes,whichforanyonethatdoesn'tknow,likecuttingcompoundessentially.
Thatwasheavydutystuff.
Thatwasheavydutystuff,yeah.
Sowe'dhavedifferentbrazingpastesthat'llpolishout.
Doyourememberthat?
That'llpolishup,that'llpolishup.
Polishthemoneyin,isn'tit?
That'saMikeBrewerphraseaswell.
Butthatwasacommontradefor,ohyeah,polishthemoneyintothat.
Butyouknow,thisIhey,listentoalottoacertainextent,that'showImakemymoney.
IbringcarsinandIimprovethem.
Yeah.
Whetherthat'sbringingthepaintback.
Andthere's,youknow,there'sincredible,areallygoodpaintcorrectionclean.
Cancanyoucanmakeitlooklikeacar'sbeenpainted.
AndI'mnotdoinganythingthatanybodyelsecouldn'tdo.
It'sjustthatIIrecogniseitcanbedoneandIputtheworkin.
IthinkitgoesbacktoShane'splugforearlierepisodesofmypodcasthereononmymum's,butshedidtellastoryabouttherewasoneoneweekwherethemortgagewasdueonaFridayandtheydidn'thaveit.
Yeah.
SomydaddroveuptoGlasgowwithacar,doadeal,pickoneup,bringitback.
HesentmymumdownwithmeandmybrotherinthecartoFrankDales,who'sJimCrickmaywasagreatfriendofthefamily,todoadealdowntherewithJim,well,itwouldhavebeenJimorIvor.
Soshecamebackwithanothercarandsomecash,andtheygotbacktothehousejustintimeforgoingtothebankthefollowingdaytopaythecashin.
Okay.
Topaythemortgage.
Itwastight.
Itreallywastight.
Imean,yeah,andandyouknow,welivedinthemostamazinghouseandwehadallthesecarsandandanincrediblechildhood.
Butweweren'talwayscashrich.
Andyouwere,likeyousay,thethingisyoumighthaveyourmortgagemoneysatthere,butthenyou'reofferedacarthat'sgotaloadofprofitin.
Yeah.
Sothemortgagemoneygoesonthat,andthenyou'vegottoIdon'tknowwhetherthere'sanexcitementandanadrenalinetolivingthatway.
Idon'tthinkeverybodycould,butit'snotforeverybody,isn'tit?
Ithinkforthepeoplethatcould,theycouldn'thavedoneaninetofive,happily.
No.
Imean,bothmymumandmydadwereself-employed,andthatwasaitwasacultureandit'salifestyle.
AndIthinktheyunderstoodeachotherbecausetheywerebothself-employed.
Becauseifonehadhadasalariedjob,youwouldn'tprobablyunderstandthehandtomouth.
Becauseitwas,youknow,oneweekyou'dlookedtowhatfurnitureyoucouldbuytokeepwarm,andthenextweekyou'dhavesoldtwoorthreecarsandyou'dbeloadedwithcash.
Yeah.
Soitwasitwaskindoffeastorfamine.
Andthatwaswhatwasinteresting,isthatIappreciatethatnowbecausehehadto,youknow,theyhadtofindthemallgoods,theyhadtofindtheschoolfeesandstuff.
Sotheydidhavetoturnthatmoneyout.
Andthat'swhatlivingonyourwitswas.
YouwokeuponMondaymorning,thinking,right,I'vegottomake500quidtodayoffthis.
Anditcouldbecouldbefeastandfamine.
Yeah.
Wewereonholidaylastweek,webothworkedforourselves,andwearethephonesareringing,you'vegottopickitup.
Andthekidsarelike,Ohmum,doneonthephoneagain.
It'slike,well,sorrykids,butthat'swhyyou'reinSpain.
Wellit'sit'sfunnybecauseweusedtomakeajokeaboutdadbeingtight.
Hisdad,whowasafarmer,wasjustunbelievablytight.
Classic,youknow,heldhistrousersupwithstring.
Butdadwouldneverputinmorethanapound'sworthofpetrolintoacar,whichisprobablyaboutagallon.
Andalsohehadatechniquewhichwascalledfreewheeling,whichhewasfamousfor.
Thatassoonashecametoahill,he'dturntheengineofftosavefuel.
AndsohecouldgetuhfromthewelivedneartheMorganHills,sohecouldgetfromwhereheusedtoworkatthetopoftheMorganHillshomewithoutturningtheengineon,thatwasfourmiles.
Ififthelightswerewithhim.
Ifthelightswereagainsthim,he'dpoptheclutchin,putitintogear,startit,lettheclutchoutforabit,getabitofmomentum.
Startit.
Turnitoff.
Yeah.
Andthenifitwasatnight,he'djustusethebatteryforthelights.
Uhandthenthebatterywouldbeflatbythetimehecoastedin,andtherewasaslightincline.
Sointhemorningheputitinreverse,letgoofthehandbrake,bumpstarted,anditwouldstartagain.
Buthewassotight.
ButIrealisethatnowbecausethemarginsweretight.
Youknow,youdidn'twanttowastetwoquidonfuelwhatyoucouldwaste.
TheonlyproblemIhavewiththat,andIknowtheolddealersdiditallthetime,bringingonfumes,issuckingalltheshitupthroughthecarbsfromanemptytank.
Doyouremembersiphoningpetroloutbecausesomethinghadsomethinghadcomeinonpartsexchangewithafulltankoffuel?
No,becausehe'djustuseit.
He'duseituntilitwasemptyandthenhe'dsellit.
See,Dadhadapitch,andIputapictureupwherehecouldhavelike40carsonthepitchatonetime.
Okay.
Sohewouldcomehomeinadifferentcareverynight,buttherewerestillalotofothercarsthere.
Soifsomethingcameinwithafulltankoffuel,ifit'spipehours.
IfitwasMOT'd,taxedandhadfuelinit,itwasbonanza,andthenthatwouldbehiscar.
Becausehehadnoprideaboutwhatkindofcarhedrove.
Hewasnotbotheredaboutthem.
HethatwouldbehiscarforaslongasthefuelortheMOTorthetaxranout,whicheverranoutfirst,thatwouldbegone.
Butlotsofusstilldothat.
AndnowIhadlikeacarshowlastyeartogoto,it'slikewhatyou'retaking,it'slikethatwhatever'snearestthedoorand'sgotfuelinit.
Yes.
Youknow,whatever'snotthreecarsdeep.
Well,Idothatwithhirecarsnow.
ItakeitfromtheairportandIworkouthowlong,howmanymilesIcandobeforethegaugemovesoffF.
AndthenIknowifitdoes30milesofthatreservewhenit'sfull,Icanfillup30milesoutfromtheairportandthencoastbackasaseconomicallyaspossiblewiththecarstillfullofthecase.
Yourdadwouldbereallyproud.
Yeah,well,hewouldn'thavegotahighcar.
See,wekindofgavethecolour.
Fastestcarintheworldisarenter.
Oh,absolutely.
Andandthat'swhyweusedtodriveonholidayeverywhereandnotfly,becausehecouldgetfreecarsanditwouldn'tmatteraboutthemileage.
Sohe'dgiveitthoseSD1soffthelotandtakethem.
WewentwentonholidaywithfourSD1s,Ithink,indifferentcoloursforfourconsecutiveyears.
UhaRoverP6andPrincesses.
Princesseswereabitofademotioninmyeyes.
I'vegotabitofasoftspotforaprincess.
Youhavetoo.
Iknow.
It'sgottobetheHLSthough.
IhaduhIhadanambassadoraboutthreeyearsago.
IwasIfellinlovewithit.
Really?
Anuglyfrontthough,isn'tit?
It'stheisn'titthefrontfromtheIssa?
It'ssougly,it'sgorgeous.
Uhlisten,IhavearealthingaboutIlookforalltheMarmitecars.
IloveaCamargue,IloveaLagonda,IlikeanAmbassador,IlikeaTL7,allthecars.
IlikeTL7.
Iknow,Ilikehigh-bodiesstuff.
IrememberbeinginthedealershiponSaturday,sowhenIusedtogoinwiththemplayingwiththeTR7lights.
Yeah.
Well,justturningthemon,theydidthat.
Yeah.
Itneverquiteworkedproperly,didn'tit?
Winking,notthinking.
SoBLwasn'tathinginmyhousewhenIwasyoungatall.
Ohno,we'reaBLfan.
YetnowIhavearealsuspotforthem.
SoIitisliterallyjustbecauseIlikethempersonaltaste,notbecauseofthenostalgiathing,butyoukindofgrewupwiththatBLthing,didn'tyou?
Imean,Ilovedthem.
ImeanTriumphDolomiteSprints.
Fabulous.
Whatagreatcar.
Idon'tknowwhyEscortMarkIIRS2000sareworthsomuchmorethanaadollysprint.
No,butifsomebodysaidtomeonaSundayafternoon,right,youcangoout,youcaneithertakeauhaabrandnewBMWoryoucantakeadollysprint.
Igonottheafternooninthesprintalldaylong.
IborrowedaumIthinkitwasamimosayellowdollysprintforaweekandIcookedthebrakesonitbecauseitwassuchanicehandlingcar.
Youcouldbowlthemintoacorner,backoffabit,getthetailout,dababit,floorit,anditwouldjusthandlebeautifully.
ButIremembercomingbackwithabrakessmokingandandhecameoutofhisofficeandthebrakesweresmokingmorethanhewas.
Therewasmoresmokecomingfromthebrake.
SoheWhathaveyoudonewiththat?
Andthengobackinside.
Andsay,Idon'tknow,it'sjustgotabithot.
Butthesmellofhotbrakesonadollysprintissomethingthattakesmerightback.
Especiallywhenyoupeedonittocoolthemdown.
That'severyoneusedtodo,didn'tthey?
Didyouneverhavetodothat?
Ididtakecarsbackwhichhavebeendamaged.
Ijustfortherecord,I'veneverdonethateither,obviously.
Butthatwasathing.
Itwasathing.
ItookbackanAudi80sportwithauhI'dcurbthewheelsobadlyatspeedthathejustcameoutandwentwhy'dyoudothat?
Androlledhiseyesandwentbackin.
Butitwasjusttherewassuchahugeconveyorbeltofcars.
Umtherewasalwayseightornineinthedrive.
ThatassoonasIgotmydrivinglicence,IwasonhistraderpolicybecauseI'dbedrivinghimaround.
Yeah.
Icouldjustborrowanyofthem.
SoIhadaAudiQuattroCoupeforawhile,Iusedthat.
MarkIIGolfGTI,ItookmymatesonholidaytothattoScotland.
CitroenBXnineteenGTI.
Ohwow.
UmthatIgotnickedbytheIrishpoliceforspeedingwiththat.
IhadaredBXGTI,um,anditendedupbeingtheonethatwasinTotGare.
AndIthinkChrisHarrisboughtit.
Theyusedacornerreallyflatbecauseofthesuspension.
Theywerefancycars,though.
Ireallyenjoydrivingthem.
Yeah,Ido.
Ithinktheyhandlereally,reallywell.
TheyIthinkthey'reareallyThey'requitearesponsiveyoudon'texpyouexpectittobewaftyandfloaty,likeaXantiaorsomethinglikethat.
AndlotsoflotsofgolfGTIsaregolfs.
Right,beingonthedoorhandlersonthose,becausetheyusedtohandleamazingthings.
Ithinkthat'swhyInevergotintolikethethetheFordsortheXR3Isandstufflikethat,becauseIwasalwaysinourkindofgroup,youwereeitherFordorVW,andIwasalwaysagolfgirl.
Sotheywereneveronmyradarbecausegolfsweremycarofchoice.
OrmaybeyouknowIfindafriendhadcomethroughasIhad205GTIs,whichIthoughtweresuperbandstilldo,butthegolfsubGTIswasaverygoodthing.
Youreallydidfeelthequalityofagolfbehindit.
YoujustitwassomethingandIIevendowntodaftthingslikeIlovetheadvertisingoftheday.
DoyourememberthePaulaHamilton?
Ido,yeah.
Whereshe'slike,youcanhaveyourdiamondsandyoucanhaveyourfurcoatandyoucoverus,butI'mhavingthegolf,yeah.
Andtheadvertwherethedriverhadtowhirlhiswife'suhearringsbecausetheywerescreaking.
Ialwaysthinkthattheythenuhstillaretoacertainextent.
They'recompletelyclassless.
Youdon'tknowwhetherit'samultimillionaireoreventhoughIthinkright.
TheYTSkiddriving.
I'mnotafanoftheMarkVIIIGTIsbecausethey'vegottoomuchassistance,buttheMarkVIIGolfGTIsuharecrackingcars.
MarksevenGTIsandGolfRs,Ithink,aregreatsortofcars.
R32andR's,Ilike.
Afterthat,theykindoflostmebecauseitthegearboxyouyoucouldn'ttellitwhatgeartogoin.
Yes.
AndalsothedalltheMarkVIII'swobbleifyougooverawhiteline,Idon'tknow.
Ohuhwait,doyouknowwhat?
Wehadahighercarandthatitfoughtyouwhenyoutriedtochangelanes.
It'sit'ssoannoying.
Yeah.
AnddangerousbecauseIbecamemoredistractedwiththecarfightingmethantheovertakingmanoeuvreIwastryingtodo.
AndthatiswhereweleavepartonefortodaywithMaxfromtheTireKickerspodcast.
FromRoverSD1sonthefamilydrivetojaggytypesontheforecourt,allthewaythroughtouniversity.
Whatastory.
Now,parttwoiscomingnextweek,andtrustme,itiswellworththewait.
WegetintothecarsMaxlovesnow,thequickfireround,andwehaveaveryquicklookatmydad'soriginalstockbookfromthe80s.
You'renotgoingtobelievesomeoftheprizesheboughtandsoldforandsomeofthedealshemanagedtogetovertheline.
Forthechancetowinasuperbclassiccar,pleaseheadovertoClassicandVintageCarCompetitionsandusediscountcodeSAM15fora15%discountacrossallthecompetitions.
Ifyoufollowmeonsocialmedia,youmighthaveseenmethisweekmintingmyPorsche928withDodoJuiceproducts,whichIswearby.
Andthey'veverykindlygivenusa10%offdiscountcodewithSAM10.
Sodon'tforget,youcanseeallofMax'sphotosoveronFacebookandInstagramattheoldcarlady,andI'vepinnedthemtothetop.
YoucanhearmorefromMaxontheTieKickerspodcast,whichIhighlyrecommend.
AndyoucangetinvolvedinourFacebookprivategroupbyjoiningtheOldCarLadyclassiccarcommunity.
Sountilnexttime,happymotoring.
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