1989 Suzuki Swift Gti

1.3L, White, Reg: G [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1994
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Brothers car

Memory byte:
Drove it once, had a nice high revving engine, was lightweight and handled pretty well. Often overlooked hot hatch.

1987 Ford Escort 1.3L

1.3L, Red, Reg: E [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1994-95
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
Good economical family car, albeit a bit on the boring side. Remember doing a 180 in the snow one winter and ending up on the opposite side of the road, when trying to impress the Mrs with my driving prowess.

1988 Ford Fiesta 1.4 Ghia

1.4L, Met Blue, Reg: E345 CUF

Driven: 1992
Place: Horam, East Sussex, UK
Context: Brothers car

Memory byte:
Think I only drove it once or twice. It had a good engine and ghia meant it had all the trimmings too.

1986 Ford Fiesta 1.6 XR2

1.6L, Met Blue, Reg: C791 BOT

Driven: 1991-93
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: My 3rd car

Memory byte:
Ooooh I loved the power, it was my first boyracer-mobile. I used to have a competition with myself to see how many cars I could overtake on the way to/from work in Tunbridge Wells. Think 10 was my record. For some reason I painted the bumper inserts dayglo yellow.

1983 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Ghia

1.1L, Champagne Gold, Reg: FKP 434Y

Driven: 1988-91
Place: Horam, East Sussex, UK
Context: My 2nd car

Memory byte:
Well the first thing that struck me was the electric aerial - how cool was that. It was quite luxurious compared to the Chevette. Alloy wheels, sunroof, tinted glass - loved it. Fitted front foglamps too. Easy to drive, good economy and not something you could get over-exhuberant in. My girlfriend at the time (now wife) loved it for entirely different reasons.

1983 Vauxhall Astra 1.3L

1.3L, Red [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1988
Place: Somewhere in France
Context: Friend Pete's car

Memory byte:
All I remember was that it was more comfortable than many of his previous motors. Only a brief drive around a campsite.

1987 Citroen 2CV - Dolly

0.6L (33bhp/24Kw), Red, Reg: D531 VWV

Driven: 1988
Place: Bonnie Scotland, UK
Context: Hire car for holiday in Scotland with my mate Mike P

Memory byte:
Two week holiday in Scotland camping saw alot of 2CV memories. Only drove it once, due to its column change gearbox, couldnt find second. Bloody French engineers! Felt like it was going to roll over in ever corner. Rag top roof, one seating position 'bolt up right', duel with the Land Rover and oh yes can be run on petrol fumes. (That's Mike by the car with the moonshine 'still not me)

1960s Hillman Minx

[Similar car shown]

Driven: 1988
Place: Hailsham, East Sussex, UK
Context: My mate Mike P's pride and joy 'Alice'

Memory byte:
Well so many, where do I start? Had one short drive, on a very quiet road if my memory serves me. Seemed like a nice 'lady'. Other memories include tyres disintegrating on the way back from Greenbelt, Mike using the starting handle and a minor skirmish with my gold fiesta.

1978 Vauxhall Chevette Estate 1.3L

1.3L, Orange, Reg: WVB 63T

Driven: 1987-1988
Place: Horam, East Sussex, UK
Context: My First Car

Memory byte:
My first car had chromed bumpers, no creature comforts and too much black vinyl on the interior. But I still liked it, cos it was mine all mine! Got it very sideways once on a cold dark and icy morning near Argos Hill. Thankfully some swift counter steering saw me out of trouble. For some reason I fitted and air-horn.

1987 Ford Fiesta 1.1L

1.1L, Blue, Reg: D99X XXX [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1987
Place: Horam, East Sussex, UK
Context: Mums car

Memory byte:
My first real sense of 'driven' independenct arrived with Mums first new car. It became my runabout for a while after I had passed my test and continued to study at college. A nice easy, if underpowered car to drive, easy on the pocket too, which is always a good thing for a student studying beer.

1984 Vauxhall Carlton 1.8GL

1.8GL Saloon, Red [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1987
Place: Horam, East Sussex, UK
Context: Dads car

Memory byte:
Only one driver recollection when Dad let me drive it to work once. Seemed like a really easy car to drive, comfortable too. Was always pleasant to get carted about in. Ooh yes, almost forgot, it was quite cool at the time as it had the new reversed registration format with A as the prefix.

1981 Ford Fiesta 1.0

1.0L, Red [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1987
Place: Horam, East Sussex, UK
Context: Mums car

Memory byte:
Went out with Dad for a lesson (he'll never forget). The clutch was pretty sharp and was either on or off. That made for quite a few 'stalling' moments as well as the odd bit of 'kangerooing' around, and all on busy main roads too. Think Dad aged a bit that day :-)

1987 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Diesel

1.6L Diesel, Red [Similar car shown]

Driven: Feb 1987
Place: Horam, East Sussex, UK
Context: Broad Oak Driving Instructors car

Memory byte:
I recall being so excited as I had wanted to drive as long as I could remember. Drove off down Horebeech Lane. In straight lines and round corners I was okay, but braking and turning into a side road I missed it and ended up facing the hedge instead :-)