My life in cars (and on a motorbike)

Who remembers driving on the M25 before it was finished, when completed sections actually ended at a roundabout?!

It seems an eternity ago, but is one of my first memories being driven in the family car, and has rekindled other memories of my life in cars, which, like life in general has had its ups and downs.

1970s – three rows, big trips

Having two brothers and a sister meant my mum and dad needed a big vehicle, so my first car memories are of the three-rowed Citroens and Peugeots.

The only in car entertainment was a constantly played cassette of Bob Marley’s greatest hits and another one of West End musicals. Of course, there was no sat nav or mobile phone, just a map, so how my parents coped when they drove us all in the back of the car on family holidays in Europe, I’ll never know.

1980s – two wheels, novice driver

The eighties, my teenage years and my favourite decade, perhaps not surprisingly. It was also the time when I had my first, own transportation, but it wasn’t a car, it was a two-wheeled Yamaha FS1 which I mainly used to get to college as we lived in a village miles away.

It was also when I passed my driving test (first time of course!), and sometimes impressed friends when my dad let me drive his metallic grey SAAB, although I can’t remember the exact model.

1990s – some fun, new adventures

Heading into the 90s, and my parents very kindly bought me and my brother a Mini Mayfair to share, to give us some independence.

The only problem, the car was awful in the rain, despite having a splash guard fitted, which actually meant checking the weather forecast before deciding whether to get behind the wheel.

However, despite its drawbacks, it does bring back fond memories, especially when I was a student in East London and me and my three house mates would squeeze in it for ‘road trips’, venturing as far as Epping Forest on one occasion (which was only about 15 miles away).

2000s – company cars, dealership delight

A new millennium and a new era for my life in cars as it was also when I started my first job in automotive PR working for an agency on behalf of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep’s dealership network.

This also meant my first company car, a Peugeot 306, but what I really remember is driving a PT Cruiser fleet car on occasions. Let’s just say the PT Cruiser is a car that divides opinion.

2010s – vehicle strife, silver lining

The end of this decade is one I’d rather forget for car reasons. It started when my car was written off in an accident. The following weekend I borrowed my wife’s car to go and look at a new motor, but the engine blew up in her car, also writing it off.

We went from a two car family to a no car family in one week!

The only silver lining was that I ended up buying a Ford Fiesta, which I affectionately named the Silver Bullet, but which always needed a long drive on a Sunday afternoon to ensure the battery was charged for Monday.

2020s – fond farewell, today’s drive

I ended up selling the Silver Bullet for scrap and got £150. It was sad to say goodbye but at least I got my Sunday afternoons back.

I’m currently driving a Mini Cooper, which is a nice little runabout. I guess my car next car will be an EV, but like many we have nowhere to charge it at home as parking is only allowed on the opposite side of the street and we have no driveway. It will be interesting to see how EV charging develops, so check back in the following decade for my next life in cars chapter.