WHAT VEHICLE DO YOU DRIVE?
An Austin Seven (later badged as the Mini Countryman).
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD IT?
Since May 4,1960. I bought it as an MOT failure.
HOW MUCH DID IT COST? £25.
WHAT WORK HAVE YOU DONE TO THE VEHICLE? The first thing I did was some welding to get it through the MOT, which did not cost me much. My wife, Joan, used it until she passed away in 1977. It then lay round the side of the house until 2005, when I realised how much historical value it had.
By then it had deteriorated quite badly and I started the slow job of bringing it back to its former self. With the help of my son, Barry, and his brother-in-law, Tim, I reckon we did a good job. It was painted professionally and I believe it was worth every penny.
WHY DID YOU GET THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE?
I got it as a little runabout for my wife and the price was right.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT IT? The fact that it may be the oldest Countryman in the country, but I may be proven wrong.
IS IT GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY? Obviously the value is what anyone will pay for it, but at £25 you cannot argue with that!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY OF THE VEHICLE?
The satisfaction of seeing it back on the road after 30 years.
IF YOU COULD OWN ANY VEHICLE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
That is hard to say. I have driven all sorts of vehicles, cars, lorries, vans. I have an old motorbike, the Austin Seven, an old ambulance and a double-decker bus. I think that is enough to be going on with, don`t you?
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR? HOW MUCH DID IT COST AND HOW LONG DID YOU OWN IT? My first car was a 1932 Austin Seven. I bought it in the early 1950s to travel between Oxford and Moreton-in-Marsh while I was serving in the RAF. It cost me £50. I would like to know how much it would be worth now, if I had kept it.
Tell us about your vehicle. Do you drive an old banger which you can’t live without? A reliable motor that gets you from A to B? Do you drive something unusual or extravagant? If you drive a car, motorbike, van or truck and want to tell us about it email chris.walker@oxfordmail.co.uk
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