Au revoir LEECHY HITS THE ROAD Hi folks. Some will rejoice, others won’t give a toss and there might be one or two that are mildly interested, but this is my last issue as editor of Unique Cars. I know what you are thinking, but no, I go of my own accord. Not of my own Honda Accord. No, my own accord. You’ll miss champagne comedy like that won’t you… Old cars and motorcycles remain my passion. Always will. In fact, I’ll still be writing about them, working on them, swearing at them, attending events. All the stuff that represents the fun part of this old crapper collecting gig. I just wanted to touch on some of the highlights of this gig. Best old car I got to drive? Hmmm… That gong goes to Peter Edwards’ lovely Aston Martin DB4 Series V. 3.7 litres of soul-stirring wonderment, wrapped in English class and Connolly leather. I forgave the slow box, slightly indistinct steering… Yes, indeedy, that twin-cam grumble building to a crescendo of very real and decent power changes you. Jeez, it’s 700 grand’s worth, so the likelihood of it ever happening in my street remains pretty damned remote, but I’d give my leftie for that car. Seriously. It’s only getting in the way anyhow. Best newish car? Again, there are many of those. The 2013 Ford Fiesta ST was a brilliant little jigger. A car I expected a hairdresser would be embarrassed to mince into. Before I drove it. Wild, cheap, and delightfully angry. A sports car for 25K drive away. Loved that thing. The Audi RS4 B7. What a hooligan in a suit. 309kW, 4.2-lt quad cam bent eight… Best brakes on anything I have driven, and, you can get a good 2007 model for around $65K. If you are in the market for a car like that, well, do not pass go, do not collect $200, just get one. You will have a more permanent smile than The Joker. Hey, maybe that’s how he really got it? The people. You lot. The passion for a Trabant is as strong as that for a 250GTO. Car people are the best. Especially old car people. You know why? Because chasing parts, pulling things apart, arguing over which model is best, driving… Well, none of that has anything to do with the bloody news of the day. There’s no doom and gloom, no idiot with a knife or politician talking about nought. It keeps you from thinking about things that worry you. It gives you purpose, unites families and it gives you friendships. It’s hardware, sure, but it’s the software that is the important bit. You and your people. And, well, get the hankies out, that’s just about all that matters. So. I sail off into the sunset. Who knows what’s next. In the meantime I’ll finish that Mk1 Escort coupe, do a rebuild on the XY tranny, help my eldest give his Outback ‘dose’ as he puts it, see if I can get another couple of horsepower out of that Norton Commando of mine and probably bob up in your Weeties at some stage. Thanks folks, be good to each other. Had a great ride, I’ll see you on the road, no doubt. Leechy
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 02:00:22 +0000