Cheeseman coupé

Our man in the trade, Steven Ward, praises the Ford Probe and laments the demise of the Citroën C5.

Undisputed highlight of the UK car calendar for the real motoring enthusiast is the Classic Car show at the NEC each November. Handily for me, it’s just a short hop from Britain’s Detroit (Stourbridge).

Cars and light commercials, wonderfully enthusiastic car clubs, an autojumble, model cars, endless books and brochures, cars, tools and trim for sale, plus a live auction and restoration demos, they’re all going on at once, all weekend.

If you’re into celebrity spotting, they’re there for the odd selfie, too. This year I spotted all the TV motoring pundits and a few ‘proper’ writers poncing around. Sir Stirling Moss, Paddy Hopkirk, Harris Mann, James Martin and Steve Coogan were there if you were sharp-eyed. In fact, if you weren’t sharp-eyed, you could have quite easily have been run over by Sir Stirling on his OAP scooter.

Car of the Show for me was an innocuous silver Ford Probe. This car has fond memories for me. Back when I was a teenager with a certificate of failed A-levels, I reluctantly got a job at the Ministry along with a mate. I wasn’t really looking forward to a life of admin. Then a motor-trade job came through and I went for that instead.

On my first day on the job, I attended a Ford show of sorts, designed to snare small businesses into leasing a Blue Oval. I’m not sure why I was there, but it was thought I should get to know the product. As a result, I requested the keys to the then new Ford Probe 24v for the afternoon. Naturally, I had to sign my life away by lying/stating I was over 21, but my conscience was clear enough if it meant avoiding a Cvh-engined Escort. Of course, the aforementioned Steve Coogan in the character of Gareth Cheeseman fatally punctured the Probe’s reputation. Regardless, the feeling of hitting the rev limit in third gear to a teenager used to driving a 1275 Metro was something close to ecstasy.

My final ‘celeb’ spot of the day was CM editor Martyn, who bizarrely stated he was out looking for a Cougar. I hope he was referring to the Probe’s replacement? Anyway, he was kind enough to take a picture of me next to a Ford Probe identical to the car that sealed my career decision.

‘As Gareth Cheeseman, Steve Coogan fatally punctured the Ford Probe’s reputation’