Celebrating Father's Day with Classic Car Weekly

Celebrating Father’s Day
CAR MAD?
IT’S BECAUSE OF DAD
We asked you to tell us the stories
of how Fathers had got their
children into classics cars –
and you didn’t disappoint
T
hey say most football fans support
the teams they do because of their
dads, but what about more
important things – like cars?
We asked you to tell us the stories of how
fathers had got their children into classics, and
had responses from sons, daughters and dads.
Growing up around old cars seems to rub off
on children, because so many of you told us
that this was the reason why you now had your
own classic, whether it’s a Mini, Peugeot 205 or
Triumph Toledo.
It’s more than just inspiration for many of
you, though – there were touching stories of
relationships built on a shared interest, with
joint restorations a common theme, often
with children helping to restore cars that they
would be gifted when they reached 17. So too,
you shared stories of multi-generational classic
car families, with oil truly running in some
families’ veins.
Here are 12 of those stories, as we approach
Fathers’ Day and the time to say ‘Thanks, dad.’
Words Charlie Calderwood PHOTOGRAPHY CCW Collection
this week p2-11 out & about p14-15 living with classics p22-24 buying & selling p26-35 CLASSIFIEDS p38-57
ANDREW
& GEORGE
JACKSON
CUMBRIA
‘My youngest son George has
been brought up around classic
cars because I have quite a large
and varied collection that we’ve
showed all over northern England
ever since George was born.
‘The collection includes a 1978
Pontiac Trans Am, a 1963 Ford
Galaxie 500 convertible, a 1977
Jaguar XJC V12, a 1939 Rover
14HP, a 1972 Rover 2000, a 1966
Wolseley 16/60, a 1969 Rolls-
Royce Silver Shadow and a pair of
Triumph Stags.
‘George and I have been working
on a 1972 MG Midget since last
summer. I’ve owned the car for
more than 15 years, but it has sat
unloved in my workshop. George
set an aim to get the car finished
for this year’s Whitby Traction
Engine Rally, which was planned to
run at the end of July. Last year we
cleaned off all the old underseal,
welded three small areas and then
re-coated the underside.
‘George has pushed the
restoration on over the last six
weeks. We cut out all of the rust,
welded in new repair sections and
primed and re-painted it.
‘The car is road legal, now, and
we will be off to Whitby as soon as
the current coronavirus lockdown
is lifted.’
Andrew Jackson
and his son George
restored this MG
Midget together.
DAVID &
ROBERT BERG
LONDON
‘Dad has always been a petrolhead,
owning a variety of cars including
Morgans, Bentleys and Rolls-Royces. I
have grown up around them and got the
bug for them as child, encouraged by him.
‘I’m now restoring my grandad’s
Wolseley 6/110, which has only done
34,000 miles from new. I’ve had it resprayed
and the leather re-trimmed, I’m
just waiting for the wood trim – which is
stuck in north Norfolk at the moment – to
arrive but I’m very excited to get it back
in the car.’
David Berg got
into classics
through his dad,
Robert, and is
now restoring
his grandad’s
Wolseley 6/110.
BEN GITTUS-NASH & TONY NASH WARWICKSHIRE
‘My father has been an enormous
classic car fan ever since I was young
– I remember taking a trip in my
grandfather’s midnight blue MGB that he
had rebuilt when I was quite young.
‘This love for cars was further
cemented when my father bought his
1971 MGB in 2002 – the highlight of my
weekends throughout summer was
going to car shows and on classic rallies
with him. I specifically loved the ‘tulip
run’ style where I’d be his co-driver. We
always listened to Jeff Wayne’s War of
the Worlds and Glenn Miller. These rallies
were always superb because he makes
excellent picnics!
‘My very first car was a 1976 MGB GT
(which dad bought for me) and I’ve never
been so proud to have such a stand-out
car as a 17-year-old.
‘My cars were predominantly
turbocharged and Japanese in my 20s,
but I inherited my grandfather’s Triumph
Roadster 1800 18 months ago. It was
his prized possession for 43 years so
to say that I’m now obsessed with it is
an understatement. It belonged to my
mum’s boyfriend when she was 17; when
he came to visit in 1976 my grandmother
TOBY & NIGEL BROWN BERKSHIRE
‘Living on the family farm since I was
born, I have always been brought up
around machinery and vehicles. I’ve
always watched from behind while my
dad fixed his old cars and machines and
would constantly be the designated
“chief torch holder” on various projects.
‘He’s owned a 1942 Willys Jeep for
as long as I can remember; there are
countless photos of me fast asleep in
the back from a young age, despite the
bumpy ride. I learned to drive in that
same Jeep, which bit me in the backside
Ben inherited his Triumph Roadster from his grandfather; he and dad, Tony, got him into classics.
when I had to switch from left- to righthand-drive
for the first time when I took
my driving test!
‘Now 19, I’m a partner in our family
garage, Browns Classics, in West
Berkshire, and own a 1985 Mini, 1952
Fordson Thames lorry and three MGB
GTs — one modified for hillclimbing.
‘I’m grateful I still live on the farm,
otherwise I wouldn’t be able to keep
buying these rust buckets!’
was so taken with the look of it that she
told my grandfather that he should buy
it and it has been in our family ever since.
‘I wholeheartedly point my finger at my
father and grandfather for my vehicular
obsession, though I’m not complaining!’
What to get your classic-mad dad this Father’s Day (21 June)
Personalised Technical
Portrait from £45
Graeme Jenner’s technical portraits
are more than just attractive wall
hangings (though that they very
much are) – you can also get your
dad’s classic exactly replicated in
the prints, complete with his name
and the correct specifications for
his exact model in the text. As long
as Graeme has already prepared
an illustration of the model – and
by now he has covered most 1960s
and 1970s British classics, among
many others – he can produce
the personalised portrait for £45
– slightly more if non-standard
features need to be added.
❚ classiccarportraits.co.uk
Poorboy’s World Bird Sh#T Remover £9.95
This might seem like a joke, but anyone who has left bird
droppings on the beloved classic’s paintwork for too
long will tell you that serious damage can be done by
your local avian wildlife. Provide your dad with Poorboy’s
unambiguously named Sh#t Remover, however, and he’ll be
able to remove droppings, no matter how toxic and tar like,
with ease. What’s more, he’ll be able to do so without having
to wash the entire car, saving him precious time. Far from
the most glamorous gift, but a damn useful one.
❚ poorboysworld.co.uk
Exclusive
CCW offer
Follow
the link
Air Force Blaster Sidekick £108
The perfect car clean is as much in the drying as the washing, which
is where this dryer comes in. Designed for drying out areas that are
difficult or impossible to dry by hand – whether that’s wire wheels,
grilles, mirrors or aero screens – the Blaster Sidekick can level up the
car cleaning abilities of even seasoned detailers. It comes with a twoyear
warranty, and – in a CCW exclusive offer – a replacement filter
pack, three feet of hose and UK mainland free delivery included.
❚ cardryers.co.uk/ccw ❚ Offer valid until 13 June
Stanley Seven-Piece
Toolkit £66.73
Is your dad making do with a worn old
toolbox? Or does he have tools strewn
across multiple drawers and cupboards?
This 16-inch toolbox is a perfect way of
organising a large selection of tools, and
includes a hammer, screwdriver set, tape
measure, knife and spirit level to top up
his tool collection.
❚ toolbank.com
16 | classic car weekly Wednesday 3 June 2020
Wednesday 3 June 2020 classic car weekly | 17

Celebrating Father’s Day
AARON & DAVID TURNER
BERKSHIRE
‘My dad David had owned his 1972 MG
Midget for nearly ten years before I was
born, so I was used to being with classic
cars as far back as I can remember. I used to
help him when he was cleaning it or working
on it, and then accompanied him on classic
car runs when I could hardly see through
the windscreen!
‘I’d always loved Minis and after a long
search we finally bought an ‘Italian Job’
Limited Edition just before my 17th birthday.
Dad gave me some early driving lessons on
private land so that I was ready to go out
on the road as soon as I turned 17. I’m now
thoroughly enjoying introducing it to my
two-year-old son.
‘Then, to mark my 21st birthday, dad
and I joined the four-day ‘Brussels-Paris-
Brussels’ event commemorating the Mini’s
50th anniversary. We were the only British
crew and shared the driving and navigating,
which was rather challenging as the route
books were designed to catch you out!
‘Dad’s MG TD had been laid up for several
years when I told him that I’d love to use it
as my wedding car.
‘I helped him to get it back on the road,
which included a clutch change, plus an
overhaul of the brakes and fuel system. It
was great to be able to use a car that we
had both enjoyed over the years and now it
has an even more special place in my heart.‘
Castrol Classic Oils FREE DELIVERY OFFERS
Rebecca’s Dad
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Lance Forty’s Dad
Phil sold Jaguars
in the 1960s.
Aaron helped to
recommission
Dad David’s MG
TD, which was
then Aaron’s
wedding car.
MG TD Engine 1250cc/4-cyl/OHV POWER 54bhp@5200rpm TORQUE
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CONSUMPTION 28-34mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, 4-sp man ENGINE OIL
Castrol Classic XL30 5.7 litres GEARBOX OIL Castrol Classic EP90 0.7 litres
IAN & ANTHONY EDWARDS
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
‘My dad was a young apprentice for
Le Mans winner, Ivor Bueb, and was
taking part in trials back in 1950 in his
1938 MG TA. I have been in a world of
cars, whether motorsport or classics,
ever since I was born. My earliest
memory is the 1970 Gold Cup at
Oulton Park and a visit to Beaulieu
shortly after.
‘My latest classic is an Austin A30
which has been built to Historic
Racing Drivers’ Club Academy spec,
but I haven’t been able to show it to
dad recently because he is currently
in isolation.’
Ian Edwards currently has an
Academy-spec A30, having grown up
seeing his dad racing classic machinery.
Aaron and Dad David completed
the Brussels-Paris-Brussels run
together in Aaron’s Mini.
RACHAEL &
EDDIE FOSTER
LANCASHIRE
‘My dad has always loved classic cars
and bought a Morris Oxford when he
hit his “mid-life crisis” at 40 and I was 11
years old. I fell in love with classics from
attending classic car shows and meets
for many years and together we decided
that a Morris Minor would make the
perfect first car!
‘We bought a 1969 Morris Minor
1000 six months before I turned 17 and
tinkered away on it to get it ready for
me to start driving lessons. Dad took
me for my first driving lesson on my 17th
birthday and a few months later I took
my test in the Moggy and passed (well,
second time lucky!)
‘I’ve had “Bella” for ten years now and
she was my daily driver until I started
work in Liverpool and I felt the 50-miles
commute just wasn’t fair on her.
Rachael Foster got her Morris
Minor as her first car with the
help of dad Eddie ten years ago.
‘She now comes out on sunny days,
and continues to raise a smile on my face
and those of the many people who I pass
on the roads.’
REBECCA & ANDREW SALES
KENT
‘My dad owned classic cars before
I was born. The first ones I can
remember (and which he still owns)
are a 1961 Ford Zephyr MkII and a
1964 Ford Anglia 123E Super. His
collection has since grown with a 1961
Ford Thames Van, ‘62 Ford Thames
Van, ‘59 Chevy Apache Truck and a
‘59 Chevy Apache school bus.
‘My dad has currently been
restoring a 1971 Fiat 500 for my 21st
birthday in June. I’ve always attended
classic car shows with my dad ever
since I was a baby and have always
enjoyed every minute of them – and
still do now.
‘I can’t wait to show my classic Fiat
500 off at car shows.’
LESLIE & STUART MURRAY DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY
‘When I was a boy the Triumph Spitfire was
my dream car; I lived across the road from
a garage where one of the mechanics had
one. My wife hired a Spitfire for a day when
I turned 50, which made me want one even
more, so I trawled online until I found one.
‘We have always enjoyed classic cars so
it was no surprise that my son decided that
he wanted one, too; he was very keen on a
Triumph 1300, but was still a student at the
time so they were out of his budget. We
were at the Thirlestane Castle classic car
show with my Spitfire in June 2016 when he
spied a 1975 Toledo, which he got for £1400
and since then we have been to a local
show in our cars twice.
‘He went back to university to do a
Masters so the car hasn’t been out much,
but he says that he will never part with it.’
Tim and brother
Martin bought their
dad a Ford Anglia as a
retirement present.
TIM & JOHN YORK Somerset
‘My late and much missed father, John,
spent his life working in the motor trade
following an apprenticeship at Bristol
Vauxhall dealer, Bawns. His infectious
enthusiasm got me into classics by the
time I was 21 with an Anglia 100E and I
currently have a stable of nine, ranging
from a 1928 Singer Junior through to a
2008 Mustang GT V8 convertible.
‘My brother Martin and I bought a Ford
Anglia E494A for him as a project when he
retired, and helped him to restore it.
‘Fast forward more than 20 years
and the Anglia now lives with me and I
displayed it at the Classic Motor Show last
year on the Boston Classic Car Club stand.
My brother was able to bring mum to see
it there and it was a very emotional time.
‘The genes have been safely passed
onto my son, Ollie, who runs a Ford Capri
2.0 S and my eight-year-old grandson
Callum is being suitably brought up, so it
looks like the love of classics is safe for
generations to come!’
Leslie and Stuart got into classics
together – Stuart bought his Toledo
shortly after Leslie bought his Spitfire.
LANCE &
PHIL FORTY
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
‘I have been selling cars for more than
40 years; I was inspired by my late father,
who was in the trade from 1950 to 1992.
‘When I was at school, he had the local
dealership for Jaguar and Daimler. He
would take me to school in E-types and
other demonstrators. My school mates
were most impressed! I’ve since tracked
down one of those E-types and have
arranged to view it after the lockdown.
‘My dad was also a classic enthusiast,
with cars of the 1920s and 1930s the
classics of his age – he owned several
and my most vivid memory is of his 1938
Austin 10 Cambridge. I would assist him
with maintenance and polishing and now
my classics are those of the 1950s and
1960s, similar to what my father sold
new. I currently have a very low mileage
1962 Wolseley 1500.’
Lance has tracked down the E-type that
his dad was photographed with and
plans to go and see the car.
What to get your classic-mad dad this Father’s Day (21 June)
Reckitt’s Karpol Can £69.99
Your dad’s workshop may be stocked
with tools, but is it well decorated? These
original Reckitt’s Karpol cans (a polish
brand dating back to the 1930s) make for
the perfect shelf decorations for a garage
or home office. The largest is 15cm tall
and they are sold as a trio – there’s only
one set in stock though, so be quick.
❚ vintageautomobilia.co.uk
Luft Sportscar Toy £35
Dads who spend their working days
stuck at a desk will appreciate this
stylised Porsche 911. At 17.5cm long it’s a
good size, but more importantly, it has
rolling rubber wheels, making it a perfect
procrastination tool. Green, black, grey
and orange are available.
❚ meandmycar.co.uk
Formula 1: Car by Car
1950-59 £50
EVRO’s ‘Car by Car’ series has
been a delight for historic F1
fans, presenting a rundown
of a decade of top-tier motor
racing. What’s been particularly
refreshing is that the books are
broken up into small sections on
every car that took part – not
only keeping it focused on the
cars – when so many historians
love to focus on the drivers
– but also keeping it light and
readable. The latest decade of
F1 to receive this treatment is
the formula’s first, the 1950s,
released just this May. With Alfa,
Ferrari and Maserati bringing
Italian exotica, while Vanwall and
Cooper represent the plucky
privateer Brits, it’s a decade of
firsts, heroics and massive change
and should be considered an
essential book for F1-mad dads.
❚ Publisher: EVRO
❚ ISBN: 978-1-91050-544-1
❚ Author: Peter Higham
❚ Publisher: EVRO
Polishing ‘Puck’
£4.30
Even those who have full
detailing sets for their cars can
always use more polishing cloths
and applicators. This polishing
‘puck’ is designed to be used as
an applicator and polishing pad,
but its moulded ‘handle’ means
that it’s much more ergonomic
than a traditional block of
material. It’s useful even for
those with machine polishers,
being the perfect tool for hardto-reach
or delicate areas.
❚ spautopia.co.uk
‘MY DAD GOT ME INTO CLASSICS’
DAVID SIMISTER EDITOR
‘One of the earliest things I can
remember is hearing the deep
rumble of my dad’s Range
Rover bursting into life – and
I’ve been hooked on old cars
ever since.
‘When I was growing up
most of our weekends would
involve mucking around with
the Rangie – the last one that
FLM Panelcraft converted from
two doors to four – or taking it
up rutted lanes to see other old Land
Rovers strutting their stuff on the
Lancashire hillsides. School runs were
in a V8-hauled One Ten, too.
‘We’d take the Range Rover to
car shows, so I had more than my
fair share of poking around Minis
and MGBs as an impressionable
eight-year-old, which is probably
why I ended up owning both, many
years later. It was also through my
dad’s membership of the Red Rose
Land Rover Club that I got my first
gigs writing about old cars, long
before I started scribbling for local
newspapers.
‘And the Range Rover? It’s still in his
garage, thankfully…’
18 | classic car weekly Wednesday 3 June 2020 Wednesday 3 June 2020 classic car weekly | 19