Tell us about this car?
It’s a 2015 Aston Vantage, 430bhp, sport setting, meteorite silver, manual. It’s my third Vantage. It was ordered through Independent Prestige — Mark Wilson is my man there and he’s just so knowledgeable and helpful, I’ll probably buy my coffin from him.
What is so special about Aston Martins?
Who doesn’t love the thought of driving an Aston? It’s a dream for many of us. Mine is driven every week, so I guess I dream a lot.
How does it fit your personality?
It’s grey, thin on top, the rear sticks out a bit and we both cause a few smiles every day.
What else do you have in your garage?
My other car’s a bike, a 1952 Vincent Comet. I rode a bike in London for 10 years until a ping pong ball-like accident caused me to commute on the train. However, bikes are still a thrill.
How often do you clean your Aston?
Like my dog, it needs a wash every two weeks, although metallic silver is great for not showing dirt.
Who else drives it?
The good thing about a manual? No one else in our house can drive a stick shift.
First car?
The first car I kind of owned was an old, black A35 with red leather seats. My father gave it to me as a 9-year-old car nut. He took all four wheels off and never gave me the key. My friends spent many an hour after school trying to hot-wire it and use it as a club house
Your dream car?
The day I semi-retired from the kitchen, I wanted to buy an Aston. My wife — God bless her — said go for it. I didn’t wait in case she changed her mind.
Are you planning on buying any more cars?
I’d love a micro car like a Messerschmitt, a 30-40-year-old slammed-to-ground Ford truck or an XK150.
Who piqued your interest in cars?
My father, who was a bit of a Jag man; one of my earliest memories was in the late 60s when he brought home this seriously ugly, all-white Porsche, or at least that’s what I thought of it at the time. Just goes to show you can’t trust the taste of a 6-year old. Now the early Porsche 356s and 911s have to be considered works of art
Any vehicles you have regretted selling?
Yes, I had a 1964 Mercedes 190 Fintail with 35,000 miles on the clock and only one owner. I sold it to someone who took it to Morocco as a taxi
Manual or automatic?
Automatics send me to sleep, which can be dangerous.
Most memorable road trip?
Every year for the past 10 years a group of friends and I have made the trek to the Goodwood Revival in the UK. We drive down in classic cars including a 1934 Lagonda, XK150, Lotus Elite and a Bristol. We enjoy doing this so much that when one of our group had a daughter, they named her Riley. We’ll be there again this year.
Favourite movie car scene?
It has to be the original Mini car chase in the Michael Caine version of The Italian Job, or the car chase in the latest Mission Impossible.
Favourite racing driver?
Nigel Mansell. He is as boring as a sleeping cat, yet fast as a cheetah at lunchtime.
Great day trip out of Auckland?
Almost any trip out of the city. Whether you’re hitting those Coromandel mountains, Arthur’s Pass or any route north of Whangarei, it is pure scenery.
How do you feel about driverless cars?
I’ve decided to leave Earth when driverless cars arrive. Where’s the thrill, the noise, the adrenalin? Even Tesla has the good sense to add Ludicrous Mode, which basically replaces your spleen with its sheer accelerating force.
The Goodwood Revival runs September 7-9