JIM HUGHES’ CAR CV

Once the Alfa bug bit, that was it...

MINI 1000 (1986)

‘Bought for £200 with the idea of restoring it. Unfortunately I was 15, potless and clueless, so after two years of taking it apart it was sold.’

RENAULT CLIO 1.2 MKI (1991)

‘At 17 I had just passed my test and having lusted after a Clio Williams, I scraped together my money from waiting tables and selling the Mini and bought the closest thing to it I could.’

FIAT BRAVO 1.6 (1998)

‘Bought from my mum at a discount and then destroyed six months later when I ran out of talent on a spirited drive through country lanes.’

ALFA ROMEO 166 3.0 SUPER (2002)

‘My first proper car – a thug in a fine Italian suit. Bought at 21 due to memories of my stepdad’s 164 in which mum took on a brick wall and lost.’

ALFA ROMEO 147 GTA (2005)

‘I upgraded to this GTA in very rare Pearl White. Fantastically bonkers with understeer galore, balanced with a soundtrack and pure theatre.’

RENAULT CLIO TROPHY (2005)

‘I shared this with two friends and we used it mainly for track days. A sublime little car that would put many more expensive cars to shame on a B-road blast.’

ALFA ROMEO BRERA S PRODRIVE (2008-)

‘My current car, with concept-car styling and great handling. It has covered three pilgrimages to Le Mans and a road trip to the south of France, all without fault.’