I’ve played around with cars since I obtained my licence in 1972. I drove an old car back then out of necessity (I was broke) but over the years have had several “classics”. Back then I yearned for a Bentley or a Jaguar however I got my dose of “Englishness” with a 1952 Wolseley 6/80, the 6 cylinder OHC model. Quickly common sense prevailed as the Wolseley looked great but was none too reliable. If I wanted a “classic”, it could only be a second car. I went on a diet of Holdens etc but finally had enough to get into a “collector” Austin A40 which I could pamper. Over the years I have been in many car clubs as I moved about. Most of the members with cars seemed to have them because of two reasons. Reason 1 – I just came by it. It was either a family hand me down or it was cheap, and it seemed like a good idea at the time. I drove by it in a yard and wanted to save it. A guy at work told me about it. I have a mate in a car club, and he says they are good/ cheap/ fun. Reason 2 – I always wanted one. This is where the nostalgia kicks in. How many of us drive the cars of our youth that we admired as young blokes and girls which we could not afford or who’s Dad had a car we loved and want to relive those memories in? I see the prices of cars of the twenties and thirties (except fords and “real” classics) stagnating when those 50’s, 60’s and 70’s cars, even ordinary cars, are quickly gaining in price. When I was 10 in 1964, living in a country town, I sat looking at the spaceship our dentist owned. It was a red E Type FHC in silver with red interior. Can you understand my horror when at 50, I found I was much too tall to fit in the one I had found? Even after trying to convince myself that bending my head to one side and wriggling to one side to press the clutch was OK, the terrible realisation took place. I later took a V12 for a ride but only the drophead would go close to fitting me, but my head kept getting buffeted. I sadly settled for an XJ6, which I came to love. When I see that Norman Dewis was Jaguars test driver, I can understand why. He s a little guy. Obviously Lofty England was chauffeured. The only sad thing I am finding with the old car movement is that more and more people are buying for investment. Buy it, store it and sell at a profit to the first nostalgic guy with a recent superannuation payout. We do not get to see the cars on the road. Owning an old car is a responsibility as it gives so much pleasure to those not in the hobby. How often do we get engaged in conversation when we stop? Memories are priceless? Get the car you will enjoy.