jpsellars.co.uk

For the last month I’ve been driving my MG Maestro, which had to be disturbed from its winter hibernation early this year after my Rover Sterling developed an electrical problem. I retired the 100,000 mile Maestro from daily duties almost three years ago for the sake of long term preservation, but it really does deserve a pat on the bonnet for its performance in recent weeks.

This early return to the road has also given me the opportunity to have a few problems sorted out including the front tyre bald on its inner edge, caused as I suspected by tracking that was right off the scale. The journey to work in the mornings has certainly been different, too. An urgent growl replaces the Rover’s hum on the motorway, and you do need to think a little more carefully about what you’re doing. I want to be gentle but it’s hard not to be lured to exploit the car’s performance where the road allows – probably much to the surprise of many a rep-mobile.

Having just had my modern car returned I’m not missing the comedy central locking, frosty starts without a heater or having to turn the radio up loud to overcome the road noise. No, what I’m missing is the colossal £60 an hour charged by my local auto electrician. I’d be happy to bet that’s one expense those of you running an ’80s car every day are very unlikely to encounter!