#294 is mine no more. I still can't believe I'm typing that sentence - a car I had dreamed of owning for so long, which gave me so many highlights over the past 12-months, just rolled out of my car park and off into the crisp Edinburgh morning air.
When I bought the car, I was at a crossroads - do I pursue a desire to run a rally car, or do I get the road car I always wanted? When #294 appeared on Autotrader in Aberdeen with only 21k miles on the clock and 1 owner from new, my mind was swiftly made up. I remember going back to 2003 and having an Illiad blue vee as my pc wallpaper and declaring to Mrs IainT that one day, it would be mine. No other colour would suffice, I wanted that one. A trip to Aberdeen, a handshake later and the deal was done.
I had to wait until the following weekend to go back up and collect #294 - probably the longest week of my life, but back I went, one way train ticket thank you very much, and concluded the deal. It was mine. The drive home was incredible, ear to ear grin all the way - the memory of planting the right foot for the first time will stay with me forever.
The past year has included many memorable drives - the Lake District for Easter weekend, an unforgettable summer evening hoon along the A70 with a friend in his RX8 PZ, plus several Pistonheads meets. The vee was never once out of it's depth, no matter how exotic the company. I met with Alex in his Mars red mk2 one evening and we drew a huge crowd just parked up for a chat in Edinburgh city centre! It never ceased to amaze the mass appeal of these fascinating little cars - from toddlers staring in awe, to OAP's looking on with a intrigue and a cheeky smile.
As an ownership prospect, the vee ticked all the boxes - looks, performance, costs (relative to the first two). Special mention must also go to this forum - an invaluable resource and an absolute credit to all those involved in the vee scene.
I'm sure the new owner will be along to introduce themselves very shortly...
What next for me? Well, I head north to Inverness today for the first round of the Scottish Rally Championship - The Snowman Rally, as a spectator this year, but with every intention of taking part next year. As it will be my first foray into motorsport, I'll be starting at the bottom and have my eyes on a Nova, Corsa, 106 or similar fun being priority number one. Ultimately, an old skool Escort would be my weapon of choice (maybe one for the future) and if I do win the lottery, I'll be scaring myself silly in a 6R4.
Whilst I have certainly scratched my vee itch for now, I think I may have developed a rash and like many before me, I suspect I will be back before too long.
It's been emotional.
cheers
Iain
When I bought the car, I was at a crossroads - do I pursue a desire to run a rally car, or do I get the road car I always wanted? When #294 appeared on Autotrader in Aberdeen with only 21k miles on the clock and 1 owner from new, my mind was swiftly made up. I remember going back to 2003 and having an Illiad blue vee as my pc wallpaper and declaring to Mrs IainT that one day, it would be mine. No other colour would suffice, I wanted that one. A trip to Aberdeen, a handshake later and the deal was done.
I had to wait until the following weekend to go back up and collect #294 - probably the longest week of my life, but back I went, one way train ticket thank you very much, and concluded the deal. It was mine. The drive home was incredible, ear to ear grin all the way - the memory of planting the right foot for the first time will stay with me forever.
The past year has included many memorable drives - the Lake District for Easter weekend, an unforgettable summer evening hoon along the A70 with a friend in his RX8 PZ, plus several Pistonheads meets. The vee was never once out of it's depth, no matter how exotic the company. I met with Alex in his Mars red mk2 one evening and we drew a huge crowd just parked up for a chat in Edinburgh city centre! It never ceased to amaze the mass appeal of these fascinating little cars - from toddlers staring in awe, to OAP's looking on with a intrigue and a cheeky smile.
As an ownership prospect, the vee ticked all the boxes - looks, performance, costs (relative to the first two). Special mention must also go to this forum - an invaluable resource and an absolute credit to all those involved in the vee scene.
I'm sure the new owner will be along to introduce themselves very shortly...
What next for me? Well, I head north to Inverness today for the first round of the Scottish Rally Championship - The Snowman Rally, as a spectator this year, but with every intention of taking part next year. As it will be my first foray into motorsport, I'll be starting at the bottom and have my eyes on a Nova, Corsa, 106 or similar fun being priority number one. Ultimately, an old skool Escort would be my weapon of choice (maybe one for the future) and if I do win the lottery, I'll be scaring myself silly in a 6R4.
Whilst I have certainly scratched my vee itch for now, I think I may have developed a rash and like many before me, I suspect I will be back before too long.
It's been emotional.
cheers
Iain
