Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Wheels & Deals with The Old Car Lady
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Buckley & Richie Barnett | Motoring Journalism, Classic Cars & Pussy Galore | 07 Nov 2025 | 00:39:49 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, it's two for the price of one as I'm joined by legendary motoring journalists Martin Buckley and Richie Barnett. After their own brilliant episodes, I thought it would be fun to get them together to discuss the motor trade, motoring, and the world of motoring journalism, past and present. We explore how they both got their start in the industry, Richie working at Chater's Motoring Bookshop before landing a job at Auto Classic, and Martin writing an article on a Lancia Flavia coupe on spec and getting it published in Classic & Sports Car. They share their thoughts on whether they'd get into the industry today, the characters they've met along the way! Pitstops: • The changing face of motoring journalism and the decline of print media • The importance of genuine enthusiasm and knowledge over formal training • The story of Nubar Gulbenkian, "Mr 10%", and his incredible custom-built cars • How cars are a great leveller, bringing together barrow boys and aristocracy • The eccentric characters of the motor trade and why they make the best stories • The future of motoring journalism a A Nod to:
If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com. Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554. Share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note. Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| Martin Buckley | A Car Dealer Cleverly Disguised As a Journalist | 31 Oct 2025 | 01:09:05 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, I'm joined by Martin Buckley, leading motoring journalist, senior contributor for Classic & Sports Car, and author of over 20 books about classic cars. My dad always described him as "a car dealer cleverly disguised as a journalist" - a description Martin happily accepts! Martin shares how his father Ken sparked his passion with incredible cars when they weren't classics, just "old cars" - including an Aston Martin DB2 bought for £300 and sold for £360. But it was a BMW 2800 CS that truly ignited Martin's automotive obsession at age 12-13, describing it as "like a spaceship" with its electric windows and stunning looks. From writing his first article about BMW CS cars on the day of Live Aid to becoming one of Britain's most respected motoring journalists, Martin's journey is fascinating. Pitstops: • Ken Buckley's eclectic car collection including Austin Atlantics and Rover P6Bs • The NSU Sports Prinz that the postman fell through the floor of • Why BMW CS cars rusted worse than any British or Italian car • Martin's teenage Jaguar 3.8 manual overdrive and the inevitable crash • From car cleaner to motoring journalist without formal training • The birth of classic car magazines and when "old cars" became "classics" • Martin's unfulfilled dream of designing the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow replacement A Nod to: • Classic & Sports Car magazine • Car magazine • Motor Sport magazine If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com. Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554, share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note. Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| Auction Special | H&H Classics Preview, Price Predictions & Epic Fails | 24 Oct 2025 | 00:21:59 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, I'm joined by Jason from Bramhall Classics for a special auction episode. We headed to H&H Classics at Buxton Pavilion Gardens for their preview day to have a proper look at some cars that had caught our eye - we make our price predictions, and see how close we got when the hammer fell. From an exceptional 1938 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Park Ward limousine that Jason described as "the straightest 25/30 I've ever seen" to a 1970 Chevrolet Corvette convertible we were hoping to buy as a joint venture, we discuss what makes a car worth bidding on and what sends us running for the hills. Plus, we had an epic fail with a Formula Libre racing car that we both got spectacularly wrong! Find out how badly wrong we got our predictions and which cars surprised us on the day. Pitstops: • The declining Alvis TE21 market reality • Why we ran from a 1972 Crayford Cortina convertible • The ultimate Marmite car - 1971 Toyota Crown • BMW 2002 - the perfect usable classic • A 1929 Dodge Six project that tempted us • Volvo P1800ES A Nod to: • H&H Classics • Buxton Pavilion Gardens • Bramhall Classics • Park Ward coachbuilders • Crayford conversions If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com. Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 Share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note. Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| Fraser Pemberton | Over-List Turbos, Hot Rods & “Borrowed” Jags | 17 Oct 2025 | 00:49:56 | |
We reminisce about some legendary dealers like Ron Stratton, a man known for his flash showrooms and fiery temper. From buying a Model T hot rod at the Tatton Park car show to keep a young Fraser out of trouble, to the teenage antics of "borrowing" his stepmum's Honda CRX, this episode is a fantastic look at life on the other side of the trade. Pitstops: • Growing up surrounded by Porsches, Ferraris, and Rolls-Royces
• Ron Stratton • Culver’s of Manchester • Tatton Park Car Shows • Basil Burton (Roscoe Roundabout) • Kell Green Classics, Knutsford If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com. Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_old_car_lady/ Don’t forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| Dealer's Wives | Horse Thieves, Smugglers & My Mum | 10 Oct 2025 | 00:50:59 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, I’m joined by a very special guest Pat Grange - My Mum! She was the woman behind the man, the dealer's wife who saw it all. From a respectable job in a bank to being told she was dating a "horse thief," her life was turned upside down by the charismatic car dealer Ian Grange. We drive back to the hilarious and sometimes hair-raising stories of their life together. We talk about the glamour of driving Facel Vegas and the grit of having to clean 40 cars on a Saturday morning. From disastrous first dates in leaky Corvettes to crashing a Bentley Continental on Christmas Eve, my mum shares what it was really like to be married to the motor trade. It was a world of mink coats and midnight deliveries, where cash flow was king and you never knew what the next day would bring. Pitstops:
A Nod to:
If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/the_old_car_lady/ Don’t forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| Jason Hall | Quickfire & Retro Round 🏁 | 03 Oct 2025 | 00:15:16 | |
Join us for a quickfire round with Jason Hall, driving into everything from cash trades and manual gearboxes to those infamous ‘walks of shame’ to the petrol station. This episode is packed with memories, all served up with plenty of laughs. Pitstops :
A Nod To
If we missed anyone or anything, please reach out at grangebaileys@gmail.com Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_old_car_lady/ Don’t forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| Jason Hall | Minis to Lambos | Dodgy Deals & Pee in the Petrol? | 03 Oct 2025 | 00:48:22 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, I’m joined by Jason Hall from Bramhall Classics, who’s got tales to tell from the gritty heart of the motor trade. From scrapping around in a ’66 Mini with a push-button starter, to working in grease-soaked garages Jason spills the beans on dodgy deals, and the outright sabotage (pee in petrol tank?) in the motor trade. Get ready for a proper ride, packed with laughs, legends, and classic car stories that only Wheels & Deals can deliver. Pitstops
A Nod To
If we’ve missed anyone mentioned in the show, please drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_old_car_lady/ Don’t forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| Richie Barnett |Triumph 2.5, Hot Wheels & Diabolical Liberties | 03 Oct 2025 | 01:43:37 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, I’m delighted to be joined by motoring journalist Richie Barnett as we take a trip back through the motor trade's glory days. Together, we share stories, characters, and the quirky businesses that made this period so special. We explore everything from family Triumph estates and childhood Matchbox cars, to bustling local dealers and trade-only auction houses that still echo in the memories of those who lived it. We share some proper classic tales about legendary dealers and the old-school bits and bobs we used to use to break into cars! Pitstops: • Richie's journey into the car world from his childhood memories to the beginnings of his passion. • Life in Brentford's motor trade scene, the role of the Society of Motor Manufacturers, and the hustle around Eaton High Street's Ford dealership. • Local motoring landmarks such as Cha and Scott Motoring Bookshop (Isleworth, now RS in Hook, Hampshire) and Hargoods auction house (Cheadle). • The traders who made the scene memorable, John Ao, aka The Mad Dane in Staines, and American car importer Will Phillips. • The transformation from print ads in Exchange and Mart or AutoTrader magazines to the digital age of car marketplaces. • A fun quick-fire look at vintage car accessories and restoration attempts.
If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_old_car_lady/ Don’t forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| Sam Grange Bailey | Chancy Deals, Mercedes Gullwings & Hard Graft | 03 Oct 2025 | 00:02:43 | |
This week, your host Sam Grange Bailey kicks off the Wheels & Deals Podcast with a personal journey back to the wild and wonderful Manchester Motor Trade of the 1970s and 80s. As a classic car dealer and a car dealer’s daughter, Sam shares what it was like growing up in a world of huge characters, chancy deals, and some of the most desirable cars ever made. From a childhood spent around high-end motors in Handforth to a stint in Miami, this episode sets the stage for a series dedicated to preserving the fabulous, and sometimes grubby, memories of a golden era. Sam explains why these stories are worth saving and invites you to join her in celebrating the cars, the characters, and the deals that we may never see again. Pitstops:
Stick with us for road trips, behind-the-scenes moments, and the cars that make your heart race. 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_old_car_lady/ Don’t forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| Auction Special | Ford Scorpio Fails, Toyota Pickups & Getting the Train Home 😔 | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:22:40 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, I'm joined by motoring journalist Richie Barnett for another auction special. We headed to the Classic Motor Show in Birmingham to check out the Iconic Auctioneers sale, make our predictions, and see how spectacularly wrong we could be! Pitstops: • The surprising flop of a low-mileage 1996 Ford Scorpio Ultima • A rare 1987 Fiat Uno Turbo i.e. that didn't quite hit its estimate • Two Toyota Hilux pickups - one a worker, one a showpiece • A beautiful 1965 Volvo Amazon Estate by Ruddspeed • The enduring appeal of the Porsche 928 S manual • A super-low mileage 1990 Mercedes W124 260E • The rise of the Mark 3 Golf GTI as a future classic A Nod to: • Iconic Auctioneers • The Classic Motor Show, Birmingham If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com. Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554, share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note. Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| NEC Classic Motor Show Special | Lamborghini Espadas, Defender Campers & Pink Floyd | 21 Nov 2025 | 00:24:54 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, it was a family affair as I dragged my long-suffering cameraman and son, James, along for a grand day out at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham. We bumped into some familiar faces, kicked some tyres, and got our predictions spectacularly wrong at the auction! Pitstops:
A Nod to: • The Classic Motor Show, Birmingham If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com. Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554. Share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note. Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| The Brown Car Guy | MGB GTs, Skid Control & Everything You Need, Nothing You Don't | 28 Nov 2025 | 00:54:03 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, I’m thrilled to be joined by the one and only Brown Car Guy, Shahzad Sheikh! After a chance meeting at the NEC Classic Motor Show (thanks to our mutual friend Peter Cavallo), we jumped online to talk about the show, the state of the classic car market, and the fascinating shifts we’re seeing in the hobby. Shahzad and I discuss the changing buying patterns, with more enthusiasts doing their research at the show and their buying in the weeks that follow. We also explore the most significant trend in the classic car world: the arrival of a new, younger generation of owners who love the visceral experience of driving a classic but don’t necessarily want to get their hands dirty fixing it. Pitstops: • The story of Shahzad’s friend who just bought a 1972 MGB GT for a bargain £5,000. • Our great debate on the Porsche 928 – is it an undervalued GT hero or a potential maintenance money pit? • Why modern classics from the 80s and 90s, like the BMW E30, are the perfect gateway for new classic car enthusiasts. • The lost art of pre-journey checks – do you still check your oil and tyres before a long trip? • How learning to get a car into a skid is the best way to learn how to get out of one. A Nod to: • The Brown Car Guy (Shahzad Sheikh) • The Classic Motor Show, Birmingham • Peter Cavallo (Classic American Sales) • Iconic Auctioneers If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com. Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 — share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note. Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| Dan O'Grady | Australian Adventures, Cars, Swimming Pools and Chopper flyovers. | 12 Dec 2025 | 00:51:29 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, I’m joined by Dan O'Grady, a very special guest all the way from Australia, who shares some incredible stories about his family’s adventures in the car trade. From his father’s early days as a young entrepreneur in Adelaide, painting Matchbox cars and selling them at school, to his audacious trips to the UK in the 70s to buy and export classic British luxury cars back to Australia, this is a tale of incredible deals, high-stakes risks, and a passion for cars that spans generations. Pitstops: • The story of how he, with a bit of skill and a lot of nerve, built a successful car import/export business in the 70s. • The genius of the classic car leasing scheme launched in the 80s, and the tax loophole that made it all possible. • The challenges of running a classic car warranty business • His earliest memories of cars, playing with Matchbox toys on the carpet and learning the art of the car dealership from his dad. A Nod to: • The Sunday Times • Key Garage If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com. Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note. Don't forget to subscribe, like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| Barry Moran | E-Type Crashes, £500 Racing Cars & Bernard Manning | 05 Dec 2025 | 00:40:39 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, I’m joined by a man who has been a huge part of my family’s life in the motor trade, the one and only Barry Moran. Barry’s story is a fantastic journey through the golden era of British motoring, from working on aircraft to becoming one of the go-to guys for American muscle and classic British sports cars in the North West and a great friend of Bernard Manning. Pitstops: • The story of a 1962 Le Mans lightweight E-Type, bought for £15,000 and sold for a £5,000 profit – a car that’s now worth millions! • Racing a full-house Boss Mustang with a 427 Holman and Moody engine, and the constant battle to keep it on the road. • How a £500 E-Type, bought from a scrapyard, became a successful racing car in the hands of Malcolm Hamilton. • The truth about the disastrous GM diesel engines of the 70s and the graveyard of broken V8s in Fort Lauderdale. • The story of Barry’s dad swapping a brand new MG for an Oldsmobile, and how that sparked a family love affair with American cars. A Nod to: • De Tomaso • Val Martin (Stadium Garage, Ashton) • Malcolm Hamilton • Upper Yard Spares (Leeds) • Holman and Moody If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com. Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 — share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note. Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! ! | |||
| Christmas Special | Martin Buckley & the Range Rover [RAY 606W] Mystery | 19 Dec 2025 | 00:12:51 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, for our Christmas special, I’m joined by Martin Buckley from his Classic Car Barn to talk about one very special vehicle, a Range Rover with the registration RAY 606W, was it associated with Charles and Diana?? Martin also shares the fascinating story behind a photograph of a BMC Pininfarina 1800, a car that went on to influence both the Lancia Gamma and the Citroën CX. We then delve into the dramatic history of the 1955 Le Mans disaster, including a personal connection to one of the drivers, Lance Macklin, through his wife Sheila. Pitstops: • The story of how a one-off BMC prototype influenced the design of two of the most iconic European saloons of the 70s. • The tragic tale of the 1955 Le Mans disaster and the surprising connections to Winston Churchill’s private secretary. • A look at some of the other incredible cars in Martin’s collection, including a Maserati Ghibli and a Monteverdi 375/4. • The story of how Martin acquired his three-door Range Rover for just £6,000 and its potential connection to the royal family. • A discussion on the timeless appeal of the classic Range Rover and its classless image. A Nod to: • BMC (British Motor Corporation) If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com. Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note. Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| Mike Smith | Racing Minis, Dealing BMWs & 007 Bond Insider | 02 Jan 2026 | 00:57:31 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, I'm joined by the legendary Mike Smith, from managing and driving cars for the Bond films to co-authoring the official Bond car book, Mike is a true Aston Martin aficionado who was even approached to present Top Gear. But his story starts long before Hollywood, with a childhood obsession that saw him racing stock cars at just 10 years old and throwing rubber plants across showrooms by 17. Pitstops: • Racing stock car Minis at 10 years old and nearly winning his first final before the petrol tank gave out • Playing "Herbie" and spotting red, white, and blue Minis inspired by The Italian Job on family drives • Getting secretly trained as a general manager at 16 while racing Audi Quattros • How he took a rubber plant as a deposit on a car deal (and why he felt entitled to hurl it across the showroom) • From BMW dealer to Bond insider: how knowing obscure car specs got him onto 007 film sets A Nod to: • The Saint's Volvo P1800 (and later Aston Martin) • Corgi Toys with working steering wheels • The Italian Job • Ralph Renton's Renault dealership • Manchester City FC • Lionel Smith's dealership • Roger Moore, George Lazenby, and the Bond legacy If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com. Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 — share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note. Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| Richie Barnett | 2025 Market Review, E-Type Declines & The £382k Ford | 09 Jan 2026 | 00:37:53 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, I'm joined by Richie Barnett, Markets Editor for Classic Car Weekly, for a look back at the classic car market in 2025. We discuss the standout cars of the year, the surprising market trends, and what we can expect to see in 2026. We start with the incredible story of a 1933 Mercedes 380 Kompressor garage find that sold for £262,200, and debate whether it was a bargain. We also look at the sale of an ultra-rare 1990 Ford RS200 S for a staggering £382,500, and discuss why some cars continue to defy market trends. Pitstops: • The decline of Jaguar E-Type values and whether they've had their day. • The great debate: will the Jaguar XJS ever have its moment in the sun? • Are Jaguar XK8s a better buy than E-Types or XJSs for a trip to the South of France? • The rise of usable and practical 90s classics like the Golf GTI and Peugeot 205 GTI. • Are big-engined mainstream cars from the 90s the next big thing in the classic car world? A Nod to: • Classic Car Weekly • Manor Park Classics • Iconic Auctioneers If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com. Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 — share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note. Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! What are your predictions for the classic car market in 2026? Are there any cars you think are poised for a comeback, or any that you think will continue to decline? We'd love to hear your thoughts! | |||
| Listener Special | Radiator Eggs, Mazda Appeal & My Number Plate Book | 16 Jan 2026 | 00:18:10 | |
This week on Wheels & Deals, it's a listener special! I'm sharing some of the fantastic stories and comments you've sent in, answering your questions, and even launching a special appeal to track down the history of a very rare car. We drive into the "dark arts" of the motor trade, explaining exactly why a dealer in the 70's might put sawdust in a gearbox or an egg in a radiator. We also share memories of the short-lived self-serve petrol pumps that took £5 notes, and the ingenious ways people found to get free fuel. I'm launching a worldwide appeal to help a listener in Mexico, Angel Rivera, uncover the history of his very rare 1960 Mazda R360 Kei car. We have the chassis number and a few clues, but we need your help to piece together its story. And finally, we discuss the future of the motor trade and whether the classic car world is the last bastion of the "good old days." Pitstops: • Can you really fix a noisy gearbox with sawdust? • Did you ever scam a self-serve petrol pump in the 70's? • Is it sacrilege to put modern upgrades like electronic ignition on a classic car? • A special appeal to help find the history of a rare Mazda R360 Kei car (Chassis/Engine: 70776). • What does the future hold for the independent car dealer? • Do TV appearances give classic cars like the Jaguar XJS a boost in the market? A Nod to: • Jason Hall • Mike Smith • Martin Buckley • Angel Rivera • And all the listeners who sent in messages and comments! If we've mentioned you but missed you here, drop me a line at grangebaileys@gmail.com. Come Along for the Ride with Me at: 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 — share your memories, stories, thoughts, and questions with us by sending a message or voice note. Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! | |||
| Martin Buckley | Oldsmobile Toronados, NSU Ro80s & His Modified Rolls-Royce | 23 Jan 2026 | 00:45:19 | |
Join Sam Grange-Bailey (The Old Car Lady) as she takes an exclusive tour of Martin Buckley's personal classic car collection. Martin is a leading motoring journalist, monthly contributor to Classic and Sports Car Magazine, and author of over 20 books. His classic car collection spans the 1950s-70s, including a rare 1971 Oldsmobile Toronado (America's first mass-produced front-wheel-drive car), a 1971 Renault 16 TS (the first true hatchback), an NSU Ro80 with revolutionary semi-automatic gearbox, and a one-of-a-kind 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II extensively modified with a Spirit four-speed gearbox (£20,000 conversion), Land Rover Discovery disc brakes, and electronic ignition. Originally owned by R100 airship engineer Denton Burney, Martin's modified Rolls-Royce demonstrates how thoughtful classic car modifications enhance usability without destroying authenticity. We also discuss his 1956 Riley Pathfinder (nicknamed the "ditch finder"), Range Rover, and exotic Lancia Flaminia. Featured Cars 1971 Oldsmobile Toronado - First mass-produced front-wheel-drive American car. Martin's childhood dream, imported from Finland. £20-25k 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II (Modified) - Spirit gearbox, Discovery brakes, electronic ignition. Owned by R100 airship engineer Denton Burney. Martin's favourite. 1971 Renault 16 TS - First true hatchback. "Almost as good a ride as a Citroën DS." 1972 NSU Ro80 - Advanced semi-automatic gearbox. "Something magical about it." 1956 Riley Pathfinder - "Ditch finder" nicknamed from it’s wonky wooden chassis jigs. Lancia Flaminia - Italian exotic with aluminium V6 and transaxle. What You'll Learn Why the Oldsmobile Toronado revolutionised American engineering How a Spirit gearbox conversion transforms a Rolls-Royce (£20,000 cost When classic car modifications improve usability without destroying value Why American classic cars are more practical than their reputation Martin's philosophy: "Just use them, don't abuse them" The R100 airship engineering connection to Rolls-Royce ownership How Discovery disc brakes upgrade classic Rolls-Royce stopping power Key Questions Can you modify a classic Rolls-Royce? Martin's Cloud proves thoughtful modifications enhance usability. Spirit gearbox, Discovery brakes, and electronic ignition make it genuinely usable. Keep original parts for reversal. Should classics have modern upgrades? Martin advocates modifications that improve reliability - electronic ignition, disc brakes, modern gearboxes - without altering character. "Just use them, don't abuse them." Are American classics practical in the UK? "More usable than people think. Never feel that big when driving. The faster you go, the steadier it feels." Left-hand drive: "Use mirrors, kerb on one side, white lines on the other." A Nod to Denton Burney - R100 airship engineer, Burney Streamline creator Classic and Sports Car Magazine Manor Park Classics Get in Touch 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #MartinBuckley #ClassicCarCollection #OldsmobileToronado #RollsRoyceCloud #NSURo80 #Renault16 #RileyPathfinder #LanciaFlaminia #ModifiedClassics #TheOldCarLady #ClassicCars #ClassicCarRestoration #SpiritGearbox #DentonBurney #BritishClassicCars #AmericanClassicCars #ClassicCarInvestment Produced By Worth A Listen Productions | |||
| Albert Walsh | 55 Years in Prestige Cars, Racing E-Types & The Motor Trade Prostitute | 30 Jan 2026 | 00:55:34 | |
Join Sam Grange-Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for a conversation with Albert Walsh, a veteran of the motor trade with over 55 years' experience. Albert is a well-respected member of Porsche Club GB, regularly consulted for pre-purchase inspections, and a consultant for Manor Park Classics Auctions. This episode takes you through Albert's journey from driving at 13 in his dad's garage to working for the northwest's most prestigious dealers including Ian Anthony's Porsche Centre, Mercedes-Benz, Bauer Millet, and Bentley Ribble Valley. Albert shares stories about the glory days when customers paid in briefcases full of cash and Friday lunchtimes meant racing E-Types down the East Lancs Road. From his first car (a sit-up-and-beg Ford Pop) to his beloved 1986 Porsche 911 Super Sport Targa, Albert's collection includes British, French, and German classics. We discuss dodgy dealers, celebrity car deals gone wrong (including David Beckham's TVR Cerbera), and why the 1980s were the heyday of the independent motor trade. Featured Cars 1968 Volkswagen Beetle 1500 - Albert's first legal car, written off on Cross Ply’s in the snow 1986 Porsche 911 Super Sport Targa - Bought for £11,750 in 2000, sold for £16,000 2CV - Red one-owner example bought from Ian Anthony's for £1,200 Mercedes-Benz W124 estate in Red - Albert's favourite Mercedes, "the fire engine" Citroën SM - Fastest front-wheel-drive production car of its time Lotus Elise - Albert's speciality, ran his own Lotus repair business What You'll Learn Why the 1980s were the heyday of the independent motor trade How Ian Anthony's operated waiting lists over a year for new Porsches The truth about pre-purchase inspections and spotting cut-and-shut cars Why customers who "need to check with the wife" never come back How Martin Inghams’s Autotrader adverts became legendary The art of "borrowing" stock cars for classic car shows Key Questions What makes a good pre-purchase inspection? Albert uses paint depth gauges, axle stands, and decades of experience to spot welded repairs and hidden damage. The best dealers have nothing to hide. Trust your instincts - if something feels wrong, it usually is. Who were the big characters in the northwest motor trade? Martin Ingram (legendary adverts), Lawrence Millet (gentleman dealer), Ian of Ian Anthony's fame (forward-thinking Porsche dealer), Len Taylor (threw rude customers out), and mechanics like Albert's dad who could diagnose faults by ear alone. What was the worst car you've inspected? A Porsche Boxster that had been cut-and-shut with welded inner wings, a 997 with piston slap the dealer claimed was "just a lazy tappet," and cars with missing spare wheels and keys the owners swore were "in the garage somewhere." A Nod to Ian Anthony's Porsche Centre - Premier Porsche and BMW dealer Mercedes-Benz - Where Albert learned the W124 inside out. Bauer Millets - Lawrence Millet and Chris Bauer's exotic dealership. Bentley Ribble Valley - John Ashworth's Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Lotus dealership - his son Stephen Ashworth is the founder and Chairman of Manor Park Classics. Kinsey Jones - Top Lotus dealer in Europe. Martin Ingram - Independent dealer with legendary Autotrader adverts. Porsche Club GB - Albert served as Register Director and Chairman of Motorsport. Get in Touch 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #MotorTradeStories #PorscheClubGB #EnsorMercedes #BaronMillet #MartinHam #ClassicCarInspections #Porsche911 #LotusElise #MercedesW124 #CitroenSM #2CV #1980sMotorTrade #NorthwestDealers #TheOldCarLady #ClassicCarDealer Produced By Worth A Listen Production | |||
| Richie Barnett | Car Books, Italian Styling, American Engines, Gangsters and Showbiz | 06 Feb 2026 | 00:40:01 | |
Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for a conversation with Richy Barnett, classic car enthusiast, book collector, and Markets Editor for Classic Car Weekly. Richy’s career started at Chaters Car Bookshop, and he now curates what must be one of the most impressive car book collections in the country with a whole room fitted with bespoke bookcases. This episode explores the golden age of car books when they were treasured birthday presents and the only way to learn about exotic cars. We discuss rare editions, 1960s car book illustrations, and whether we're the last generation to value physical books. From Ian Rimmer's Rolls-Royce Experimental Cars masterpiece to Simon Kidston's limited-edition Lamborghini Miura book (now worth £3,500), Richy shares his favourites and explains why Italian styling with American engines creates the perfect car. Featured Books Rolls-Royce and Bentley Experimental Cars by Ian Rimmer (1986) - Masterpiece with beautiful writing The Complete Book of Lamborghini by Pete Lyons - Bought from Chaters in 1989 for £17.20 Lamborghini Miura by Simon Kidston - Limited edition, one per chassis number, now £3,500 A-Z of British Coachbuilders 1919-1960 - Gurney Nutting speciality Facel Vega by Martin Buckley (Palawan Press) - £750 when published What You'll Learn Why 1960s car books featured beautiful illustrations instead of photographs How the likes of Chaters Car Bookshop shaped a generation of enthusiasts Why Italian styling with American engines creates the perfect hybrid (AC 428) The DNA of Audi from Auto Union and Nazi connections to modern cars Why physical books are more trustworthy than Google for research How Simon Kidston's Miura book went from cover price to £3,500 Key Questions Are we the last generation to value car books? Richie believes younger enthusiasts will still seek out books, but the ritual of saving pocket money and treasuring them as birthday presents is probably gone. Quality publishers like Palawan Press prove demand exists for beautifully researched car books. What makes a great car book? The best books tell stories about people behind the cars. Quality writing, beautiful illustrations, thoughtful typeface design, and proper binding all matter. Books like Ian Rimmer's Rolls-Royce experimental cars are written "with soul and love" not just facts. Why are some car books worth thousands? Limited editions like Simon Kidston's Miura book or Martin Buckley's Facel Vega become collectible because they're beautifully produced and cover desirable subjects. The right book on the right subject always finds buyers. A Nod to Chaters Car Bookshop - Where Richy’s career started Classic Car Weekly - Richy’s Markets Editor Palawan Press - High-quality motoring book publishers Simon Kidston - Limited-edition Miura book author Ian Rimmer - Rolls-Royce experimental cars author Martin Buckley - Facel Vega book author Get in Touch 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #RichieBarnett #ClassicCarBooks #ChatersBookshop #ClassicCarWeekly #CarBookCollector #AC428 #FacelVega #LamborghiniMiura #RollsRoyceExperimental #PalavanPress #SimonKidston #MartinBuckley #TheOldCarLady #MotoringSBooks #CarBookIllustrations #booktok #classiccars Produced By Worth A Listen Productions | |||
| Martin Buckley | Teenage Author, Facel Vega & Why a Brochure Might Be the Wiser Choice | 13 Feb 2026 | 00:32:12 | |
Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for a conversation with Martin Buckley, motoring journalist and classic car author whose first book was published when he was just 19. Martin has written over 20 car books including the acclaimed Facel Vega volume, and his passion stems from his parents' collection of rusty BMWs, Lancias, and Jaguars. This episode explores how car books shaped Martin's career. From his first books about BMW E9s to writing the Facel Vega history (dealing with sniffy French owners' clubs), Martin shares stories about swapping price tags in Manchester bookshops and why sometimes it's better to have the brochure than the car. We discuss Italian design versus German engineering, why the BMW CS is the perfect shape, and why exotic cars are everywhere now. Featured Books BMW The Bavarian Motor Works by Michael Frostick - Martin's first proper car book The MG File - Martin's first published book at age 19 Facel Vega (Palawan Press) - Martin's masterpiece, £750 when published British Leyland The Truth About the Cars by Jeff Daniels (1980) - Brilliant BL decline account Jaguar by Paul Skilleter - Where Martin learned Jaguar history The Controversial Corvair - Ralph Nader's "unsafe at any speed" story What You'll Learn
Key Questions Should an author's opinion come through in car books? Yes - readers want new information, not regurgitated facts. The best books interview people who were actually there. Martin wants books with soul, like Jeff Daniels' British Leyland book capturing the tumbleweed moment when they unveiled the Austin 3-litre disaster. Why are Italian designers better than Germans? Italians were good at making suits of armour and bashing metal over stumps for centuries. They have design houses like Bertone and Pininfarina. Germans prioritise practicality over beauty. Even pretty Mercedes were designed by Italians. The BMW E9 CS was probably designed by Gandini - too good to be German. Did your parents' cars shape your career? Absolutely. Martin's dad bought rusty exotic cars for £1,500 in the 1970s - BMW 2800 CS, Lancia Flavia, Jaguar S-Type, Fiat 130. They were symbols of a way out, cars that shouldn't have been on their road. Martin says "I wanted to get in these cars and fuck off." A Nod to Palawan Press - Published Facel Vega bookSt John Square Manchester - Where Martin swapped price tagsChaters Bookshop Manchester - Specialist car book shopJeff Daniels - Autocar journalist, British Leyland book authorPaul Skilleter - Started Practical Classics Get in Touch 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #MartinBuckley #CarBooks #FacelVega #BMWE9 #PalavanPress #ItalianDesign #ClassicCarAuthor #MotoringJournalist #BritishLeyland #TheOldCarLady #RustyExoticCars Produced By Worth A Listen Productions | |||
| Auction Special | Manor Park Classics | What Sold, What Didn't & Why! | 20 Feb 2026 | 00:53:54 | |
Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for a special auction episode recorded on Friday 13th February 2026, predicting results for Manor Park Classics' sale the following day. Sam goes through her shortlist from a dealer's perspective, estimating hammer prices, then reveals actual results with insights from Jim Gregory (Sales Director at Manor Park Classics) and Richy Barnett (Markets Editor for Classic Car Weekly). This episode explores where the classic car market is heading in 2026. From a £5,750 Rover P6 V8 to a £10,350 Jaguar XJS that smashed estimates, Sam analyses what sold, what didn't, and why. We discuss the death of E-Type values, the rise of modern classics (1980s-2000s), and whether XK8s will leapfrog XJS as the affordable Jaguar. Featured Cars & Results
What You'll Learn
Key Questions What's hot and what's not in 2026? Hot: Modern classics (1980s-2000s BMWs, Japanese cars), Porsche Boxsters/Caymans, XJS straight-sixes, TR7s, Alfa 156s. Not: Pre-war to 1950s British cars, E-Types fallen and won't recover, £50-100k cars struggling. The market shifted from cash buyers to finance deals making exotics accessible to everyone. Are XJS values finally rising? Yes! The £10,350 XJS (guided £5.5-6.5k) proves the market is waking up. Jim Gregory and Richie Barnett agree they're having a moment. Question: will XK8s leapfrog them as the affordable Jaguar, or will XJS become the E-Type successor? What makes a good auction buy? Single-family ownership, full service history, current MOT (even if exempt), regular use, original spec, right colors. Avoid: cars needing recommissioning, anecdotal mileage, wrong colors (beige Mercedes 190E didn't sell despite being perfect), high estimates leaving no trade margin. A Nod to Manor Park Classics Runcorn Cheshire Jim Gregory and Richy Barnett. Get in Touch 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #AuctionSpecial #ManorParkClassics #ClassicCarAuction #JaguarXJS #BentleyArnage #RoverP6 #TriumphTR7 #Mercedes560SEC #ClassicCarMarket #2026Market #ModernClassics #TheOldCarLady Produced By Worth A Listen Productions | |||
| Simon Hope | 40 Years of Auctioneering, Setting Up H&H & The £6.6m Ferrari (Part 1) | 27 Feb 2026 | 00:46:26 | |
Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for Part 1 of an in-depth conversation with Simon Hope, one of the Hs behind H&H Classic Auctions. With over 40 years in the auction world, Simon shares stories from his auctioneering career that started in the late 1980s, including setting up H&H with Mark Hamilton in 1993 and hammering a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB for £6.6 million in 2015 (still a world record for a steel short wheelbase). This episode explores how Simon went from buying antiques at 12 years old to running one of the UK's most respected classic car auction houses. We discuss consumer protection laws for classic cars, MOT exemptions, auction fees, and why you want an ascending or descending market but never a plateau. Simon explains why dealers are essential to auction houses, the importance of lot order, and his philosophy: "People buy from people." What You'll Learn
Key Questions Should classic cars be exempt from MOTs? Simon believes most classic car owners are responsible and check their cars regularly. The people who'd abuse the system aren't following the law anyway. Sam MOTs her Rolls-Royce Silver Shadows every 2-3 years for structural integrity checks because her kids ride in them, but it doesn't need to be an official MOT certificate. Do consumer protection laws work for classic cars? "Total bloody nonsense & bollocks." Treating a 60-year-old Cadillac the same as a Currys fridge freezer doesn't work. The laws protect buyers from bad sellers, but bad sellers will be bad anyway. Good sellers get caught in the crossfire. Classic cars need ring-fenced consumer protection that protects both buyer and seller. Why do auction houses prefer moving markets? "Earn on the turn." Whether prices go up or down, auctions facilitate transactions. If a car's worth £20k, you can't get £22k plus premium if five dealers have one at £20k. Descending markets bring more cars (people offloading) but lower commissions. Ascending markets are numerically better, but both work better than stagnation A Nod to H&H Classic Auctions National Car Auctions Get in Touch 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #SimonHope #HHClassics #ClassicCarAuctions #Ferrari250GT #AuctioneeringStories #BuxtonPavilion #MarkHamilton #ClassicCarMarket #ConsumerLaw #MOTExemption #TheOldCarLady #40YearsAuctioneering Produced By Worth A Listen Productions | |||
| Simon Hope | The £10m RNLI Ferrari Story, Hope Classics & Historic Racing (Part 2) | 06 Mar 2026 | 00:29:10 | |
Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for Part 2 of her conversation with Simon Hope, co-founder of H&H Classic Auctions. This episode centres on one of the most interesting stories in recent classic car auction history: the sale of Richard Colton's Ferrari 250 GT SWB and 275 GTB with proceeds to the RNLI, raising £10 million in a single sale for the charity. Simon also shares his thoughts on auction transparency, how to buy at auction like a dealer, and his exciting new venture Hope Classics. Simon explains how he won the Ferrari pitch against Bonhams, why he waived his commission, and how the sale transformed the Ferrari short wheelbase market overnight. We also discuss historic racing, why the people you race with matter more than the car, and how to get into single seater racing without getting a bum steer. Featured Stories The RNLI Ferrari Sale - Ferrari 250 GT SWB sold for £6.6m, 275 GTB for £1.9m, nearly £10m to the RNLI Lotus 49 at Buxton - Valued at £250k when rivals said £50-100k, sold for £367,000 The Man Who Bought Blind - NCA dealer who stood with his back to the car and bid with one hand The Jacket That Lost the Job - Simon wore a flamboyant striped jacket to a pitch and lost the consignment What You'll Learn How Simon pitched against Bonhams and won the RNLI Ferrari consignment Why he waived commission on £10m worth of cars How the Ferrari SWB sale changed the market overnight for comparable cars Why auction records are useful but dangerous if used as the only reference How to buy at auction with three prices in mind Why a car's file and history can be 50% of its value How to get into historic racing without being taken advantage of What Hope Classics offers and how Simon can help buyers and sellers Key Questions How do you value a classic car for auction? History and file are as important as the car itself. Sam works with three prices: the best she can get with the wind behind him, what she'd be happy with, and the minimum she needs to get out. Always factor in buyer's premium before bidding. Never rely solely on auction records as a price guide because condition, color, and provenance can swing values dramatically. What is Hope Classics? Simon's new venture at hopeclassics.co.uk offers free advice on which auction house to use for your particular car. He can also help buyers find specific cars, especially rare single seaters and historic race cars. His time is chargeable for more detailed consultancy, but the initial guidance is free. What's the secret to getting into historic racing? Choose the people you race with carefully. The team looking after your car should be the best available regardless of whether you like them. But the people you spend the day with, share the dinners and drinks with, and experience the whole event with, they need to be the right fit. Networking into the right circles first is essential. A Nod to Richard Colton - Owner of the RNLI Ferrari collectionRNLI - Received nearly £10m, the largest single donation in their historyDK Engineering - Sold a comparable Ferrari the same day the Colton car hammeredAdam Singer - Bought the Bentley 3-litre at Buxton, did the Peking to Paris with SimonHope Classics - hopeclassics.co.uk Get in Touch 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #SimonHope #HHClassics #Ferrari250GT #RNLI #HopeClassics #HistoricRacing #ClassicCarAuctions #PekingToParis #Lotus49 #TheOldCarLady #ClassicCarMarket Produced By Worth A Listen Productions | |||
| Anthony Kearsley | Bill Gates' Audi, £50k Rolls-Royce Cushions & a Taxi for the Lama! | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:40:16 | |
Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for her conversation with Anthony Kearsley, a well-known classic car collector, star of Channel 4's 'Handcuffed', and owner of Auto Couture. This episode charts Anthony's incredible journey from selling Austin Maestros in the Lake District to dealing with the rich and famous at Jack Barclay in London. Anthony shares hilarious and often unbelievable stories from his early days, including blowing up a customer's Metro, accidentally selling a Fiat X1/9 to a 17-year-old with no finance checks, and getting sacked for being "no good" at the job. We hear how his grandmother saved the day, landing him a new job at a BMW dealership and setting him on a path that would eventually lead to Seattle, where he famously sold Bill Gates an Audi instead of a Porsche 911! Featured Stories The Austin Maestro Launch - Started his career on the launch night of the Maestro in 1983. The Blown-Up Metro - Mistook a customer's car for a demonstrator and thrashed it to Preston and back, blowing the engine. The £3.5m Handshake - Shook on a deal to buy a Honda dealership for £3.5m with only £100k in the bank. The £50k Rolls-Royce Cushions - A famous client complained her new Rolls-Royce Seraph seats were too hard. After two attempts and £50,000 spent on softer stuffing, Anthony finally told her what "hard" really was. What You'll Learn How a childhood spent selling imaginary cars in his uncle's Citroën dealership set the stage for a life in the motor trade. Why having assets doesn't mean you have cash. What it was like working in the US motor trade in the 90s (pure Pendle system). How he turned down the Starbucks franchise for the UK in 1989. Why he was ostracised by colleagues when he joined the Rolls-Royce division. Key Questions What was it like selling cars in the 1980s? It was a different world. Strict sales territories meant you couldn't sell to someone outside your area without permission. Cars were going up in value, and the launch of a new model like the Austin Maestro was a huge event. There was a real ceremony to the August 1st registration change. Who were some of your most memorable customers at Jack Barclay? Shirley Bassey, Cilla Black (hard work!), Princess Margaret (horrendous), the Dalai Lama (who asked for a taxi), and Julio Iglesias. Anthony learned that with very powerful people, you must stand up to them and not be starstruck. A Nod to Pilkington's of Bolton - His family's BL, Peugeot & Citroën dealership. Rayrigg Motors - His first job selling Austin Rover. Bateman BMW Windermere - His second job, where he fell in love with BMWs. Jack Barclay, London - Where his Rolls-Royce & Bentley career took off. Auto Couture - His current business: autocouture.co.uk. Get in Touch 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #AnthonyKearsley #AutoCouture #JackBarclay #RollsRoyce #Bentley #ClassicCars #CarStories #TheOldCarLady #WheelsAndDeals #MotorTrade Produced By Worth A Listen Productions | |||
| James Harding (Chops Garage) | From Suits to Spanners & Selling £4k Forecourt Cars (Part 1) | 20 Mar 2026 | 00:54:38 | |
Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for Part 1 of her conversation with James Harding from Chops Garage, a modern car dealer with a classic car soul. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who's ever dreamed of jacking in the corporate 9-to-5 to follow their passion. James tells the story of how, at 38, he walked away from a career as a national sales manager to start fixing and selling Fiat 500s from a rented garage bay. James gives a brutally honest insight into the realities of being a modern car dealer, from the public's "Del Boy" perception to the nightmare of consumer law. He explains why he'd rather sell a simple £4,000 Hyundai i10 than a complex modern car with a razor-thin margin and huge potential repair bills. It's a fascinating look at the pressures and pitfalls of the modern motor trade. Featured Stories The Corporate Burnout - How zoning out in board meetings thinking about welding an MGB made him realise he had to quit his sales manager job. The Leap of Faith - With a £12k payout and his wife's encouragement, he swapped his suit for a boiler suit and started his own car business. The Fiat 500 Years - Started by buying crash-damaged Fiat 500s from Copart and doing them up himself. The Silver Shadow Saga - Recounts the story of selling a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow to a buyer who spent an entire day inspecting it in a boiler suit, only to then demand an independent inspection. What You'll Learn How a childhood memory of a Citroën CX 25 GTI in France sparked a lifelong obsession with cars. Why he believes the public's perception of car dealers is completely at odds with the reality of consumer law. How the VAT margin scheme can leave dealers with a huge tax bill even if they make no real profit on a car. Why he refuses to do distance sales after getting badly burned. Why he thinks simpler, older-tech modern cars (like the Hyundai i10) are a safer bet for dealers than complex, feature-laden new models. Key Questions Is it possible to make a living selling cheap cars?James argues that while the margins are smaller, the risk is far lower. He focuses on simple cars that are built like older models (cable clutch, timing chain) which are cheap and easy to fix, avoiding the huge repair bills associated with modern complex cars. How has consumer law affected the motor trade?James and Sam discuss how the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which applies the same rules to a 60-year-old classic as a new TV, puts immense pressure on dealers. The 30-day right to reject and the assumption of a fault being present at the point of sale for up to six months makes selling used cars, especially older ones, a minefield. A Nod to Chops Garage on YouTube - Where James documents his life as a car dealer. Mad Mike from Wales - A classic car dealer who pre-filters customers by telling them his cars were "shit when they were new". Get in touch 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook & YouTube: The Old Car Lady #ChopsGarage #CarDealer #MotorTrade #ConsumerLaw #ClassicCars #ModernClassics #TheOldCarLady #WheelsAndDeals #CarSales Produced By Worth A Listen Productions | |||
| NEC Classic Car & Restoration Show | Predictions, Jensen Healeys & the SD1 That Stops Traffic | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:32:59 | |
Sam heads to the NEC in Birmingham for the Classic Car & Restoration Show, joining forces with Richy Barnett — Market Editor at Classic Car Weekly — to walk the Iconic Auctioneers sale floor and put their money where their mouths are on six cars that caught their eye. From a rare lilac Morris Minor Million to a first-gen Firebird and a gorgeously sinister Daimler Sovereign, they predict the hammer prices — then go back to find out how close they got. Along the way, Sam catches up with Frank from Pegasus Classics, who's fitting a Rover V8 into a Jensen Healey live on the show stand, and bumps into returning podcast guest Anthony Kersley for a passionate case in favour of the criminally underrated Rover SD1. FEATURED
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
KEY QUESTIONS Can you predict auction hammer prices with any real accuracy? Sometimes — Sam and Richie get a few right and call a few badly wrong. The market for specialist cars like the Morris Minor 1 Million is particularly hard to read because buyer pools are small, emotionally driven, and often invisible until the gavel falls. Should a saleroom notice put you off bidding? Not necessarily — but it will move the price. Transparency at auction is a positive for everyone. A declared fault protects both buyer and seller from post-sale disputes, as seen with both the Hillman Hunter Restomod and the Lancia Beta Montecarlo Spider, both of which stalled under estimate because of declared gearbox issues. Is the Rover SD1 finally having its moment? Anthony Kersley thinks it absolutely should be. The very best examples are touching £35k but cost £50–70k to restore properly — and most serious owners simply won't sell. A presentable driver can still be found for around £15k, representing genuine value for a car that was genuinely ahead of its time. A NOD TO
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| James Harding (Chops Garage) | The VAT Raffle Loophole, The Cars That Made Us & More (Pt 2) | 03 Apr 2026 | 00:36:03 | |
Join Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) for Part 2 of her conversation with James Harding from Chop's Garage. If Part 1 was about how James got into the trade, this one is about what it's actually like to live in it. James explains why he puts his full margin on show, what he paid, what he spent on prep, what's left in his pocket, and why that transparency has made him more trusted, not less. They get into consumer law, warranty claims on cars with 30,000 post-sale miles on them, and why the next generation of classic car buyers might be the trade's biggest headache yet. He also lifts the lid on car raffles: no VAT, no Consumer Rights Act liability, and the potential to make four times the retail margin. He's raised over £30k for charity doing it. He thinks the window is closing. Plus a proper nostalgia detour via Talbot Samba’s, bump starts, and the lost art of caring about your key ring. Featured Stories The Transparent Dealer: James tells customers exactly what he paid, what prep cost and what he's pocketed. Some dealers hate it. His subscribers love it. Consumer Law and the Classic Car Problem: A six-month implied warranty on a 40-year-old car is a recipe for misery. Sam and James ask whether the next generation of buyers will ever get why the rules need to be different. The Raffle Loophole: No VAT, no Consumer Rights Act, four times the retail margin. James has raised over £30k for charity doing it and he's pretty sure it won't last. First Cars and the Bump Start: A Talbot Samba’s with a brick for a handbrake. A Midget nursed along with a plank and a mallet. Two people who learned to drive in cars that genuinely hurt when they went wrong. Mileage, Markets and the E-Type Question: James would put his money in a V10 BMW M5. Sam wonders who's queuing up for a £500k Cosworth when the people who wanted them are done with them. What You'll Learn Why showing your margins online can make customers trust you more, not less. How VAT on the gross works and why it still shocks people. Why a six-month consumer rights claim on a classic car is a completely different beast to the same claim on a nearly new hatchback. How car raffles work, why they're currently tax and liability free, and why that's probably on borrowed time. Why a motorway-mile 120,000-miler might be in better shape than a Devon-lanes 60,000-miler. And why the classic car market's generational problem is more urgent than most people in the trade want to admit. Key Questions
A Nod To Chop's Garage on YouTube, where James documents the full reality of life as a car dealer. CG Car Sales, James's retail forecourt in Devon. Next week Tim Ashworth from Stockley Classics joins Sam to talk Metros and the state of the classic trade. 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 TikTok, Facebook and YouTube: The Old Car Lady 👍 The Old Car Lady Classic Car Community on Facebook 🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube channel @Theoldcarlady This has been a Worth A Listen Production. | |||
| Tim Ashworth | Minis, Metros & the Lost Art of Loving Your Car | 10 Apr 2026 | 00:58:28 | |
Sam Grange Bailey (The Old Car Lady) sits down with Tim Ashworth of Stockley Classics for a proper trip down memory lane and an honest look at where the classic car market stands today. Tim is a Mini and Metro specialist with decades in the trade, and he doesn’t hold back. They cover growing up with cars in the 70s, building a top five iconic cars of the decade, why colour and trim levels defined you socially in ways that just don’t exist anymore, and why the generation that leases their car on a monthly payment may never fall in love with it the way we did. Plus Tim gives his straight-talking take on the state of the classic car market and what he’s got on the forecourt right now. Featured StoriesMinis, Metros and the Family Car Route: Tim’s mum ran Minis through the 60s and 70s. His dad did a full engine change on the driveway the night before Monday morning work. A conversation about the cars families actually drove and what keeping them going really looked like. The Lost Art of Loving Your Car: When you saved up for your first car to the penny you looked after it, washed it and made it yours. Sam and Tim on why leasing and monthly payments have quietly killed that attachment. Top Five Cars of the 70s: The VW Golf. The Rover SD1. The Citroen CX. The BMW E21. The Range Rover. Sam and Tim build their list, defend every entry and argue about the ones that didn’t make it. Colour, Trim and the Peacocking Rep: Pageant Blue. Citron Yellow. Russet Brown. Your trim level told people exactly where you stood. Tim and Sam on why 70s colour and spec still matter enormously when you’re buying and selling. The Market Right Now: Too many cars, too few buyers, and some prices that still need to come down. Tim is straight about the challenges but genuinely optimistic, especially about the sub-£20k end of the market and the club scene that underpins it. What You’ll LearnWhy Mini restorations now cost £20-25k and why that maths rarely works as a business. How to know when to stop spending on a project car and why ‘used and improved’ often sells better than a full restoration. Why 70s cars are far more colour and trim sensitive than their modern counterparts. What makes the classic car club scene the market’s biggest long-term asset. Why the Ford Street Ka is worth putting on your radar right now. And why the generation that financed their cars on monthly payments may never develop the same emotional relationship with them that we did. Key Questions
Stockley Classics. Tim’s dealership specialising in Minis, Metros, and accessible British classics. Find him at stockleyclassics.com. If this conversation has got you thinking, go have a look at what he’s got. 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎦 TikTok, Facebook and YouTube: The Old Car Lady 👍 The Old Car Lady Classic Car Community on Facebook 🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube channel @Theoldcarlady This has been a Worth A Listen Production. | |||
| Tim Grigsby | Veteran Cars, Classic Raffles & a Life Lived at Full Throttle | 17 Apr 2026 | 00:59:42 | |
Use code SAM15 for 15% off your chance to win a classic car with Vintage and Classic Car Competitions: Sam Grange-Bailey (The Old Car Lady) sits down with Tim Grigsby of Vintage and Classic Car Competitions for a conversation that goes well beyond the prize draw business. Tim grew up surrounded by veteran cars and larger-than-life characters, raced everything from karts to single seaters, and has built one of the longest-running classic car raffle businesses in the UK. They get into the real story behind classic car prize draws, why five years in has been the hardest thing Tim has ever done, and why integrity is the only thing that keeps it working. There is also a 1904 Cadillac, a brake rod welded in a French barn, a Ferrari 308 with 26,000 miles he cannot bring himself to drive, and a mum who swapped a Morris Eight for a Rolls Royce 20hp and has never looked back. Featured StoriesBorn Into It: Tim’s dad wrote the technical bible on pre-war Rolls Royce engines. His mum was a BBC makeup girl who may or may not have written off Jim Clark’s car near Tower Bridge. Tim never really stood a chance. The Brighton Run and the Cars That Should Be Driven: Tim has been doing the London to Brighton since 1971, when he was six, in his dad’s 1904 Cadillac. He still does it today in Annabel, the same car. His view on veteran cars sitting in bank vaults is not a diplomatic one. The Raffle Business: What It Actually Takes: Tim was one of the first to run classic car prize draws and is honest it has been the hardest business he has ever built. Facebook spend alone ran to £750,000 this year. The margins are not what people with calculators think they are. The Roadside Repair That Lasted 10 Years: On a rally in France, Tim fixed a broken brake rod in a stranger’s barn using a welder and some thread. A decade later he spotted the same car on the Brighton run. The repair was still there. A Fleet Worth Talking About: A 1904 Cadillac. A 1914 Sunbeam. A 1923 Rolls Royce 20hp called Daphne. A 69 Morgan Four Four that one lady drove as her only car for 50 years. A Ferrari 308 GTS with 26,000 miles. And a 1977 Lola that takes Copse flat out. What You’ll LearnWhy running a classic car prize draw is nothing like it looks from the outside. How the British sports car market differs from the supercar lottery crowd. Why paying proper money always gets you the repeat call. What it costs to race a gearbox kart when you are built like a rugby player. And why smart motorways are, in Tim’s words, extremely stupid. Key Questions
Vintage and Classic Car Competitions, Tim’s prize draw business. Search online and on social media. Use code SAM15 for 15% off your chance to win a classic car. Links in the show notes or follow this link: https://competitions.vintageandclassiccarhire.com/ Tim is racing his 1977 Lola at the Oulton Park Gold Cup this year and Sam will be there for a pit lane visit and Part 2. Watch this space. 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎦 TikTok, Facebook and YouTube: The Old Car Lady 👍 The | |||
| Becca Treston | Daily Drivers, Accidental Owners & Why the Future of Classic Cars Needs All of Us | 24 Apr 2026 | 00:59:06 | |
The Old Car Lady is joined by Becca Treston, host of the Passenger Seat Podcast, young members coordinator for the Morris Minor Owners Club and a key figure in the Women Driver Social Club. Becca daily drives Peggy, her 1968 Morris Minor, and has covered 45,000 miles in six years. This episode looks at the future of classic cars through the people coming into the scene today. From accidental owners who inherit a car and don’t know where to start, to young drivers facing rising insurance costs, this conversation explores the real barriers to entry and what needs to change to keep the hobby alive. Featured Stories What You’ll Learn A Nod To For 15% off all competitons at Vintage & Classic Competitions use SAM15 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com This has been a Worth A Listen Production. | |||
| Max | SD1s, E Types & Growing Up on the Forecourt with The Tyre Kickers (Part 1) | 01 May 2026 | 00:46:48 | |
The Old Car Lady is joined by Max, co-host of The Tyre Kickers, for the first of two conversations built around a shared childhood. Both grew up as car dealers’ kids: SD1s borrowed off the forecourt for family holidays, E types coming through by the hundred, and dads who were never really off duty. This is Part 1. They cover the golden era of the trade: part exchanges valued at nine years old, the Sunday phone rota, the mortgage run to Glasgow and back, and every trick that kept a 70s and 80s forecourt moving. Max brought photographs, pinned on Sam’s Instagram and Facebook. Featured StoriesTwo Dealers’ Kids on the Same Forecourt: Max’s dad spent 25 years at an Austin main dealer before going it alone from home, supplying smaller dealers trade to trade with cars that had to move fast before the book knocked money off them. Sam’s world was the same. A conversation that starts with instant recognition and never runs dry. Valuing Part Exchanges at Nine Years Old: Max would be sent round the back of the porter cabin to crawl over the stock while his dad smoked and chatted. No book, just brochure knowledge, rust points and instinct. He’d come back with a number and his dad would say 500 quid. It was 500 quid. SD1s, E Types and Rubber Bumper MGBs: SD1s borrowed off the lot with 50 miles, returned two weeks later with 2,500 and sand in the boot. His dad had hundreds of E types coming through at the time. They were cheap. Nobody knew then. The Sunday Phone Rota: Friday adverts, one home phone number and a family rota to cover the weekend in their best telephone voice. Teenagers blocking the line. Customers trying to get through. Considerable Sunday tension. The Mortgage Run to Glasgow: One week the mortgage was due on Friday and the money wasn’t there. Max’s dad drove to Glasgow with a car, did a deal and came back. His mum went south to Frank Dale, did another deal there. They got back to the house just in time to go to the bank the next morning. What You’ll LearnWhy trade to trade was a cleaner business than dealing with the public. How a nine-year-old learned to value a car by spec and rust points alone. What the glasses guide was for and how dealers played it against each other. Why an SD1 with 50 miles was the perfect family holiday car. Why there were always queues for SD1s in the 70s even when people said British cars weren’t selling. And what the Zabar sticker, the National Trust sticker and the Right Reverend log book entry all had in common. A Nod ToThe Tyre Kickers podcast with Max and Matt, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all platforms. 55,000 downloads, Independent Podcast Awards finalist. Find them at @thetyrekickersuk. Part 2 next week. Vintage and Classic Car Competitions: use code SAM15 for 15% off. Dodo Juice: use code SAM10 for 10% off. 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎦 TikTok, Facebook and YouTube: The Old Car Lady 👍 The Old Car Lady Classic Car Community on Facebook 🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube channel @Theoldcarlady This has been a Worth A Listen Production. | |||
| Max | E Types, Silver Shadows & the Queen of the hard shoulders with The Tyre Kickers (Part 2) | 08 May 2026 | 00:44:35 | |
The Old Car Lady is back with Max from The Tyre Kickers for Part 2. This time it’s about the cars they love now: E types, XJS, Silver Shadows and a Porsche 928 that kept catching the eye. They go through the quick fire round, get deep on E types and XJS’s, debate original paint versus respray, and end with Sam’s dad’s 1984 stock book, with the day to day trade deals like a Merc 280 SE bought for £2,375 and sold for £2,800. Two Porsche 928s in the corner. And a spin in the Mercedes SL R107 to finish. Featured StoriesHow The Tyre Kickers Was Born: Max and Matt have known each other 30 years from Radio One Newsbeat. During Covid they were on Autotrader six hours a day. Matt said why not make a podcast. Episode 53 was recorded the week of this conversation. The Silver Shadow Research Period: A year and a half of research, club membership and chassis number study. He very nearly bought one the week before recording. Sam is entirely encouraging this. The Quick Fire Round: Cash or banking? Auction or private sale? Original paint or respray? Manual or auto? Barn find or concours? Short answers, strong opinions. Dad’s Stock Book: January 1984. A 280 SE bought for £2,375, sold for £2,800. Cars that would be collectible today changing hands at prices that seem impossible now. Every registration number still traceable and Sam I’d planning a YouTube series around it. Antiques on Wheels: Online banks wouldn’t take car traders so Sam opened one as an antique dealer. Technically accurate. Old stuff, easy to move. She stands by it. What You’ll LearnWhy the series two E type 4.2 manual is the one to drive. Why a fresh respray on a classic is always a risk. How the CAP and Glasses Guides worked against each other but well together. Why building a history file from scratch can sometimes be as satisfying as inheriting one. And why the RREC build sheet is worth every penny. Key Questions
The Tyre Kickers podcast with Max and Matt on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all platforms. Find them at @thetyrekickersuk. The RREC, whose original build sheets are available for a small fee and are absolutely worth it. And Sam’s dad’s stock book and book collection which is going to be a YouTube series. Vintage and Classic Car Competitions: use code SAM15 for 15% off. Dodo Juice: use code SAM10 for 10% off. 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎦 TikTok, Facebook and YouTube: The Old Car Lady 👍 The Old Car Lady Classic Car Community on Facebook 🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube channel @Theoldcarlady This has been a Worth A Listen Production. | |||
| Honest John Dixon | Ford Capris, Fraud Squad Rolls-Royces & 40 Years in the Motor Trade | 14 May 2026 | 00:35:26 | |
The Old Car Lady is joined by John Dixon, known as Honest John. He started cleaning cars at ten, bought his first banger at fourteen with no licence, and spent 40 years dealing from pitches and showrooms across South London and Kent. This is a time capsule of the 70s and 80s motor trade: the tricks, the characters, James Hunt’s car on the forecourt, Sid James’ Rolls-Royce, the traffic warden and the bucket of water, and the fraud squad who watched him for months over a mis-typed chassis number. Featured StoriesCleaning Cars at Ten, Dealing at Fourteen: Too small to see over a bonnet when he turned up asking for work. By fourteen he was buying bangers from Exchange & Mart with no licence and selling them outside his house. The Bug Under the Seat: John wired a listening device under the seats of his showroom cars. He heard exactly what customers said about price and part exchange, then used it against them before they even got to the office. The Traffic Warden and the Bucket: A traffic warden outside the Dante Motor Company in Plumstead pushed John too far. He borrowed his car cleaner’s bucket and threw the whole lot over her. The street had a whip-round to pay his fine. He sold 50 cars that week. James Hunt, Sid James and the Forecourt: John put James Hunt’s personal car on his forecourt to draw the crowds. He also bought and sold Sid James’ Rolls-Royce. Both photos are pinned on Sam’s Instagram. The Fraud Squad and the Rolls-Royce: A mis-typed chassis number on a Rolls-Royce logbook had Scotland Yard convinced John was ringing cars. They watched him for months. The chief inspector eventually came down, shook his hand Why you should always let an Exchange & Mart seller stew for two weeks before you call. How to clear a cheque in the same day and why that kills the buyer’s get-out. Why hiding the car after the deal stops the buyer’s mates talking them out of it. Why selling yourself before the car is the only philosophy that lasts 40 years. And why John was the poorest honest dealer in Kent and slept better for it. A Nod To John’s son Chris, who now runs the family business, for getting in touch with Sam. Peter Jarvis of Peter Jarvis Cars in Dartford, who John educated in the motor trade early on. And the Giles Book of Cartoons, which apparently featured a motor dealer on a wall waiting for a tractor after the traffic warden incident. Vintage and Classic Car Competitions: use code SAM15 for 15% off. Dodo Juice: use code SAM10 for 10% off. 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎦 TikTok, Facebook and YouTube: The Old Car Lady 👍 The Old Car Lady Classic Car Community on Facebook 🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube channel @Theoldcarlady This has been a Worth A Listen Production. | |||
| Tim Ashworth | Turbos, Barn Finds & Why Only 30 Are Left | | 25 May 2026 | 00:31:02 | |
The MG Metro still sits in the top 10 best-selling British cars of all time. Over two million were made. And yet only around 30 to 40 MG Metro Turbos survive today. This week Sam goes to see fellow dealer and Metro enthusiast Tim Ashworth of Stockley Classics, who walks her through three of his personal collection: an MG Metro 1275, a Mark 1 Turbo, and a Mark 2 Turbo. They cover the full story — from the Austin Metro’s launch in October 1980 as British Leyland’s “World Beater,” through the MG and Turbo variants, the K-Series Rover Metros, and the controversial NCAP crash test that killed the Rover 100 in 1998. Along the way: Hydragas suspension and why topping it up with fluid destroys it, gearboxes that couldn’t handle 93bhp, the overhead turbo gauge that caused accidents, why foam-filled panels were a terrible idea, and how to spot a fake turbo before you hand over your money. What you’ll learn:
Timestamps: 01:00 The Austin Metro story — designed to replace the Mini 05:30 Hydragas suspension — what goes wrong and why 07:00 The Turbo — 93bhp pocket rocket and why the gearboxes blew up 10:00 The overhead turbo gauge that caused accidents 18:00 Prices — what MGs, Turbos, and Rovers are fetching today 25:00 The NCAP crash test and the end of the Metro 30:00 WIN a one-owner Rover 416 for 50p — Dogs Trust raffle Guest: Tim Ashworth — classic car dealer and MG Metro collector Mentioned in this episode: Metro Owners Club · Dodo Juice car care (code SAM10 for 10% off) · Raffall.com — search “The Old Car Lady” for the Rover 416 raffle (proceeds to Dogs Trust) and use code ROVERRESCUE for free tickets. Connect: 🌐 theoldcarlady.com 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎬 YouTube, TikTok & Facebook: The Old Car Lady 💬 Join The Old Car Lady Classic Car Community on Facebook 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com | |||
| Auction Special | Jensen Interceptor Vignale, Rover P6 Panoramic Roof & the Cars You Should Be Watching | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:49:52 | |
The Old Car Lady is joined by motoring journalist Richy Barnett for the May Auction Special, picking through the Manor Park Classic Sale on Saturday 23rd May. They go through Richy’s picks, decide where they think they land against the estimates and then in Part 2 compare their predictions with the results - so stay tuned! …….. Jensen Interceptor Vignale, Rover P6 with factory panoramic roof, Vanden Plas 4 Litre R, Renault Fuego Turbo, Ford Probe with 24,000 warranted miles and a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, Sam is at the sale in person, with a Live feed on Facebook. FeaturedRover P6 3500 V8 with Factory Panoramic Glass Roof: A Rover Triplex collaboration that almost nobody has seen in the metal. Two former keepers, the first owned it for over 40 years. 65,800 miles, no reserve, chrome grille, white, completely unmolested. Sam says she’s bidding if it stutters. Jensen Interceptor Vignale Mark I: Coach-built in Turin, fewer than 1,500 made, most rotted away. Three owners, 80,000 miles, recent cylinder head and brake work. Guided at 18 to 20. Sam is doing a walk-around on the day. Vanden Plas Princess 4 Litre R: The only non-Rolls-Royce car ever powered by a Rolls-Royce engine. 81,500 miles, near-new interior, stunning colour and a badge bar. Richy says he’d rather have this than a Shadow at 14 grand & Sam wouldn’t! Ford Probe 2.0 16v with 24,000 Warranted Miles: Original, correct colour, glass sunroof, MOT to April 2027. The best 2.0 16v either of them has seen come to market. Guided at five to six, both think it could go over. Renault Fuego Turbo 1984: Best-selling coupe in Europe 1980 to 82, now almost forgotten. Richie has the brochures. Sam wants it. 93,000 miles, spreadsheet history, yellow fog lamps. Guided four and a half to five and a half.
Rehome Stella’s 1996 Rover 214 Si project car for just 50p. Enter on Raffall by searching “Bring Your Trailer Classics or The Old Car Lady”. A Nod ToRichy Barnett at @classiccarweekly and @thespecialsite on Instagram. Manor Park Classic Car Auctions, sale Saturday 23rd May. 📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎦 TikTok, Facebook and YouTube: The Old Car Lady 👍 The Old Car Lady Classic Car Community on Facebook 🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube channel @Theoldcarlady This has been a Worth A Listen Production. | |||
| Honest John Dixon | Jaguars, Gangsters & the Shotgun Behind the Desk (Part 2) | 08 Jun 2026 | 00:31:48 | |
The Old Car Lady is back with Honest John Dixon for Part 2, going deeper into the South London motor trade of the 60s and 70s: the characters, the criminal crossover and the stories that didn’t make it into Part 1. John bought an XJ6 in decorating overalls with a suitcase of cash, kept a shotgun behind his desk and knew the fraud squad detective who investigated him personally. This is what the motor trade actually looked like. Featured StoriesNever Judge a Book by Its Cover: John walked into a Hendon showroom in his decorating overalls with a suitcase containing 50 grand. The salesman told him he couldn’t afford the XJ6 in the window. John counted out three grand in tenners and fives on the desk. He drove it home that afternoon and slept with his bed by the window to keep an eye on it. The Shotgun Behind the Desk: Four men turned up at John’s Bury Road pitch looking to rob him. He put the shotgun on the desk and told them he only had one cartridge but one of them was staying. He has never seen three men run so fast. The gun was empty. Going Straight in the Motor Trade: John did his stints inside, used the time to read and learn chess, then went straight into the trade. His view: you could earn more as a straight motor dealer than doing anything else. The Fraud Squad, the Rolls-Royce and the Apology: A mis-typed chassis number brought the fraud squad down convinced John was ringing cars. When they realised it was a DVLA error the detective sergeant bought his wife flowers to apologise. He is now a chief inspector. Rating Girls on Cars and Reading the Room: In the pub John and his mates rated women by which car they reminded them of. On the forecourt he switched accents and approaches mid-conversation depending on who he was talking to. What You’ll LearnWhy the man in the Rolls is probably less wealthy than the man in the Cortina. Why zeroing a clock is less dishonest than knocking miles off it. Why the motor trade was the cleanest route from a shady past to a legitimate fortune. And why the Long Good Friday is about 80% accurate. Key Questions
Part 1 of Sam’s conversation with Honest John Dixon, S1E35, which covers how John got into the trade, the Sid James Rolls-Royce and James Hunt’s car on the forecourt. R. Clarke Motors, still trading today with John’s son Chris. And Dave Ackrinian, now a chief inspector, who John says is one of the good ones. Watch on YouTube: Part 2 Video 1 and Part 2 Video 2 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎦 TikTok, Facebook and YouTube: The Old Car Lady 👍 The Old Car Lady Classic Car Community on Facebook 🔔 Subscribe: @Theoldcarlady on YouTube This has been a Worth A Listen Production. | |||
| Tim Ashworth | Austin Metro Launch Archive, Applejack Paint & the Cassette Nobody Has Played | 15 Jun 2026 | 00:22:28 | |
The Old Car Lady is back with Tim Ashworth of Stockley Classics, and this time Tim has brought the archive: the original 1980 Austin Metro dealer launch pack, brochures, mechanic notes, a Metro Plus brochure even Tim had forgotten he had, and a cassette unplayed for 45 years. They go through it all page by page. The Union Jack campaign, the 9X prototype that never was, the Applejack and Peridot colours that almost nobody ordered, the asymmetric rear seat brochure with its pop-up pages, and British Leyland’s claim that the Metro does 83 miles per gallon at a steady 30. Tim calls that one. Featured StoriesThe Dealer Pack That Survived: One pack per dealer, not for customers, sent in October 1980 to prepare the showrooms for launch night. Launch schedule, marketing order forms, mechanic guidance notes, Union Jack tease materials and a cassette. Tim’s is intact. The cassette has never been played. The 9X That Never Was: Issigonis designed a Mini successor in 1968 with a hatchback and advanced engine. BL killed it. Ten years later the Metro arrived instead, redesigned after customer clinics rejected the original styling mule. Applejack, Peridot and the Colours Nobody Ordered: Applejack, Snapdragon, Peridot, Cinnabar, Vermillion. Strobe seats colour-coded to match. Almost none were ordered in significant numbers. The Metros that survive are mostly red, white and blue. Metro Plus: The Brochure Tim Forgot He Had: Bucket seats, short shift, spot lamps, Ronal wheels: a separate package on top of a standard Metro, almost a homage to the Cooper S. Tim found it mid-conversation and had forgotten he had it. 83 Miles Per Gallon at a Steady 30: The launch brochure claims 83 mpg at a steady 30. Sam asks Tim whether he is having that. He is not. Stockley Classics at stockleyclassics.com Rover 100, Ford Street Ka, 18,000-mile Vauxhall Corsa B and a Rover Mini RSP. Find Tim on Facebook. YouTube channel incoming. Toyota MR2 raffle at Raffall: two free entries with code MR2POD. 51,000 miles, 11-month MOT. Proceeds to Dogs Trust https://raffall.com/bring_your_trailer_classics 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎦 TikTok, Facebook and YouTube: The Old Car Lady 👍 The Old Car Lady Classic Car Community on Facebook 🔔 Subscribe: @Theoldcarlady on YouTube This has been a Worth A Listen Production. | |||
| Andy from My Dad’s Car, E-Types, 944s and the Car Stories That Made Us | 22 Jun 2026 | 00:33:05 | |
The Old Car Lady is joined by Andy from My Dad’s Car, the podcast that asks a very simple question with a very big answer: what car started it all? They talk dads, workshops, car magazines, childhood passenger-seat memories, lockdown podcasting, Porsche side profiles, Halfords friendships, and why the car bug is so often passed down through people rather than horsepower figures. Andy shares the story of his dad’s trim shop, the cars that came and went, and the primrose yellow E-Type that still sits in the memory, even if not in the garage. Featured Stories The Podcast That Started In Lockdown: Andy explains how My Dad’s Car grew out of lockdown, Clubhouse, Instagram Lives, working from home, and the loss of his dad. What began as an idea became a place for people to talk about the parents, memories and cars that shaped them. The Trim Shop Childhood: Andy’s dad was a car trimmer, with a flat above the shop and a workshop full of interesting cars. Visits often meant one question: “What cars have you got in?” Sometimes there was even a quick trip round the block. The Primrose Yellow E-Type: One of the big memories is a 1967 Series 1½ Jaguar E-Type roadster, taken in as payment, restored, and later sold before classic prices went wild. A proper childhood hero car, even if owning one now is another matter entirely. The Cars People Go Back For: Sam and Andy talk about the emotional pull of the cars we grew up with. The Beetles, Escorts, Sunbeams, Sierras, Minis, Golfs and family cars that were ordinary once, but become precious because of who was driving them. The Last Of The Analogue Cars: MX-5s, MR2s, early Golfs, Polos, Saxos, Civics and Boxsters all get a mention as Sam and Andy wonder whether the 1990s and early 2000s cars could become the next big classic scene. EVs, Range Anxiety And The Future Of Car Love: From Teslas on the school run to smart motorways, scrappage schemes and driver aids, the conversation turns to what today’s children will remember. Will they fall for a neighbour’s EV, or will classic car meets, social media and real driving experiences keep the old-car bug alive? A Nod To My Dad’s Car podcast Andy and John, who have now recorded more than 100 episodes about the cars, parents and stories that got people into motoring. Toyota MR2 raffle at Raffall: two free entries with code MR2POD. 51,000 miles, 11-month MOT. Proceeds to Dogs Trust. https://raffall.com/bring_your_trailer_classics 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the_old_car_lady 🎦 TikTok, Facebook and YouTube: The Old Car Lady 👍 The Old Car Lady Classic Car Community on Facebook 🔔 Subscribe: @Theoldcarlady on YouTube This has been a Worth A Listen Production. | |||