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[Pitchfork]

Half-timbered Austin Mini Countryman 1963 (383 AOW)

[Lizzie_Zoom]

This was my first car - a Standard 8

Actually, my Dad bought it in the vain hope of teaching my Mum to drive.  She never got the hang of it, but my brother and I learned to drive it round the field out the back of the pub.  At some stage it was replaced by this one - an Austin A35

I had my first driving lessons in one of these - Austin A40 - seen that one before, haven't we?

Later lessons were on this - very different - the magnificent Austin 1100

And the first car I actually bought and owned for myself was a Ford Popular 100E

The picture of that lovely Standard 8 Jereboam reminds me of a red one my uncle drove us in from Highbrooms, Tunbridge Wells, to Farnborough in 1960. Thought it was a great car at the time, because this was only the second car I had ridden in!  My uncle wrecked it in a very bad accident just three months later and he had a very lucky escape!

As for the A40; well what can I add about that beautiful, cute and treasured car!

[Vamps]

Half-timbered Austin Mini Countryman 1963 (383 AOW)

Me too (6677 UP)

[MarkG]

1972 Morris Marina 1.8 Super in Limeflower. I was 18. Given to me by my grandfather in 1984 when it was 12 years old but only 40k on the clock. Sadly, I blew up the engine when the big ends went at 45k on the M40. Replaced the engine myself. Cut my teeth on this car and loved it.

1983 Escort 1.3L in blue. Had this for about a year in 1985 before passing it on to my brother. Never really loved it.

1972 MGB GT 1.8 in white.  Bought this after a full body restoration in 1986. A really cool car when you are 20. Blew the engine up on this one too after 60k. According to DVLC it is still out there somewhere.

1987 Astra 1.3L in blue. My first company car in 1989. Went like a bomb. Such an eager engine. Thrashed the nuts off it. It would do an indicated 110 mph. At 90k when I left the company it was still going strong. Body panels were very flimsy.

1978 Triumph Stag 3L V8 in white. Ooooh that lovely V8 gurgle. Bought this in 1990 when it was already 12 years old. Kept it for the next 17 years. Awesome sound. Spent an enormous amount of time and money on this car.
 
1986 Cavalier 1.6 GL in red. Bought this in 1992 with 88k as a stop gap and kept it until 1999 when it had done 212k. A really great car. Front end looked like it had the pox though.

1998 Vectra 2L diesel estate in purple. Company car in 1999. Nothing to get passionate about.

2000 Omega 2.5 CD in grey. Company car in 2001. I bought it in 2005 and still drive it now with 177k. I love it. I'm starting to realise how few cars I see on the road older than mine!

1972 E-Type Jaguar 5.3 V12 in silver. Mine since 2004. Had to spend a fortune on it after a life of little use but it's in fine fettle now and a joy to own and drive

Bikes....Now that's another story...1981 Honda H100, 1979 Honda CX500, 1985 Yamaha XJ600, 1991 Yamaha FJ1200