Classics drive passion

CHRIS Edwards’s love of classic and luxury cars spans back to his early adult years — he was just 21 when he bought his first Jaguar.

Mr Edwards, who is now in his 70s, said it was the fourth car he owned.

“The reason I bought it was I liked fine machinery, something with some good technology,’’ he said.

“Also in those days it was unusual for young chaps to have cars like that.

“Even though I was 21, the finance company insisted my father be a guarantor for the funds.

“Of course he did, but he also thought it was a bit much seeing I was a responsible adult, supposedly,’’ he said with a laugh.

His liking for luxury and classic cars grew and he bought a 1955 XK 140 Jaguar Roadster in the 1970s.

Mr Edwards said he restored that car and entered it in the first Targa Tasmania event in 1992.

The garage at his southern Tasmanian home has been extended three times — and is now brimming with 14 cars, including four Jaguars and three Ferraris.

Also among his prized collection is a 1929 Bugatti. And his favourite car? “I like them all,’’ he said. “They are all different, they all drive differently and give you a different experience.

“They are all very original. I’m not interested in cars with changed gearboxes. You buy a car for what it is and a lot of people have bigger engines, change the suspension ... you lose the experience of driving a classic as it was built.

“I think [visitors] appreciate all the cars are original.”

Mr Edwards said he was part of a push to abolish a luxury car tax on historic cars coming into Australia.

“For cars over 30 years old, for instance, it imposed quite a high tax on them which did nothing for the value of the car,’’ he said.

He said abolishing the tax could boost employment because professional vehicle restoration companies could take on more employees.