Ian Mahoney
UK Correspondent

 

I am happily married to my beautiful partner Rosemary, and drive an articulated truck for a living. We live at Tunbridge Wells in the southeast of England.

I have had an interest in cars and trucks since I was a kid. In 2004 I was in a position to be able to buy a late model (1981) Ford Cortina saloon and enter the world of classic car ownership. I had one of these cars back in 1989 when I was 18 and they were a common sight in the roads of the UK. The car was in quite good condition but the paintwork was pretty poor after various repairs over the years, so in 2005 I had the car completely resprayed. I started attending car shows and got quite a lot of compliments on the car and won a few show awards.

Classic car shows in England are usually a weekend affair during the spring/summer months when the weather in England is supposed to be sunny and warm! Being a member of the FCOC brings you together with other likeminded folk, and we have quite a number of members in the Southeast.

The normal routine on a Sunday morning is to meet up with one or two club members at an agreed point and then travel in convoy, joining other members on the way to the showground. Once parked, we set up the gazebo and more importantly get the kettle on to have the all important cup of tea or coffee! It is really nice to have people come and compliment you on your car and bring back memories for those who have owned Cortina’s in the past.

I have made a lot of good friends through attending car shows, and there is always someone you can call on if you have a problem with your car. If they have a Cortina, they have probably had the same problem at some point!

Although I have a great interest in Cortina’s, I enjoy the classic car scene in general, but have a real soft spot for American cars from the 50’s and 60’s. If I had enough money and a place large enough to keep one of these monsters, I most definitely would!

For a history of the Cortina click, on the link to the Cortina owner’s club website.

You all have been reading Ian's reports and looking at the great photos he has sent us over the years. I am sure we will be included in his up coming shows.

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