How did your passion for cars start?
My passion for cars over my 75 years, has been intense. I remember when I sat my driver’s licence. On the day of the test, I asked my boss if I could borrow his company car. He asked whether I had driven a car, and I said no. “What time is the test?” he asked. I said 3pm. “Well, we have two hours to teach you what to do, so we better get started.” The test was scary. My hill start was a hell of a mess and my road code questions fell well short, but they must have felt sorry for me, as they gave me a licence.
First car you owned? And others that followed?
After leaving high school, I joined the liquor industry in Hamilton where I worked for 12 years. During that time I bought my first car, a 1954 Ford Zephyr convertible.
I had only enough money for gas to cruise the main street on a Friday night a couple of times, so it was mainly parked outside the Post Office. I upgraded to an Impala convertible, and then a white Ford Galaxy previously owned by the American Embassy.
In 1969, I decided it was time to tick off a few wishlist items. I wanted to live in California and buy a couple of hot American cars, to see Elvis Presley live and then head to London to the Earls Court Motor Show. The first two were ticked off but I never got to Earls Court.
Cars I bought back to New Zealand were a Camaro Z28 with high jacked suspension and massive racing tyres. The other one was a Chev 427 Impala Super Sport Convertible.
Which cars stand out most in your memory?
I could not name all the cars I have owned but they have included almost every manufacturer. One purchase made it to the NZ Herald even though I was living in Dunedin.
I recall the headline, “Maybe just a fishing line after the Lamborghini.” The black Countach QV5000 caused a stir with its wing doors and radial design features. But the insurance costs were outrageous.
Favourite cars?
If it was an exotic sports car, driveability around town is important and to this extent the Porsche 911 Turbo S would be my pick. Its blistering acceleration can push you so hard into the back of the seat that you can see stars in your head.
In convertibles, I like the Rolls- Royce drop-head coupe for the smooth ride but it’s a bit too big. So, the Mercedes E Class Convertible would be my pick.
And now you’re driving a John Cooper Works?
I wanted a Mini Cooper S in the 60s but never owned one. So, after reading that BMW had acquired Mini and was re-introducing the John Cooper Works coupe, my interest was rekindled. The question is should you import the car yourself or go through a NZ dealership.
After comparing the prices, there was a saving by importing direct.
But, after talking to Mini Garage in Auckland, I was impressed with the support, advice and service offered and I decided it outweighed the small overall saving.
I ordered my John Cooper Works car from the factory in mid-2017 with all the boxes ticked. It arrived ready for collection from the dealer in February 2018.
Purists would say that I should have ordered a manual, but the automatic is faster and it’s just as much fun using the auto paddle shifters on the steering wheel. When it comes to extras, it has everything a luxury car has.
The electronic works exhausts leave you in no doubt what you are going to experience on the road.
Even though the Cooper is low to the ground, getting in and out is easy. The interior is very Star Wars. I really like the heads-up display — easy to see while giving you the speed limit you should be doing.
I’m lucky that I have a few options in what I drive but there is something about a John Cooper Works car that screams, “Come and have some fun with me.”
If you want to stay young, do not buy something that will save the planet, because it’s too late. Treat yourself to something that scares your pants off. It will make you smile and keep you in the fast lane for longer.