Much more fun than a Fiesta

Patrick Arney’s daily driver is 67 years older than he is

A LOT OF PEOPLE have said I’m bonkers to daily a car that’s almost 90 years old, but I didn’t want a boring little modern hatchback. Rachel, my Riley 9 Monaco saloon, is different from everything else on the road. People don’t expect a 21-year-old to be driving her and I get a lot more attention than I’d expected. I beep at everyone that waves, smiles or gives me the thumbs-up. It’s nice to make someone’s day.

My friends had never been in anything like it so I’m happy to share the fun. They love it – even at a steady 20mph. I had about 50mph out of her once, going downhill, but I wouldn’t push any further than that.

I live in Southend so we’ve driven to the seafront for burger, chips and ice cream. Eating fish and chips off the bonnet at sunset needs to be done, but even just going around the block is an event. It really is all about the journey. I don’t talk to Rachel, whom I named after

Countdown’s Rachel Riley, but the fragile documents in her history file tell me her story.

Her originality is the bit I love the most; it’s fascinating that she hasn’t really changed since manufacture in 1933. I plan to keep things that way. Rachel lived through the Second World War so it’s important to understand and respect where she’s been.

The car had a respray in the late ’80s, but inside, the leather – seats and doorcards – plus the dash and window trims are all original. It gives you an idea of what it was like when the first owner left the showroom. It’s automotive time travel, I feel like I’m driving in the 1930s.

I have been a VSCC member since I was 14 and bought Rachel at the Bonhams MPH online auction in May 2020 for £15,187 using compensation money I received following a motorcycle accident. The car had only done about 900 miles in the past 20 years so needed a bit of gentle recommissioning. A couple of things gave up the ghost when I started commuting to work; it’s about five miles but I often take the long way.

The wipers work, so there’s no reason why I can’t use it in the rain, and I didn’t hesitate during the winter. I was out in the snow, and yes, it was very, very cold, but I wore three layers, gloves and a hat, and the engine started first time, every time. I think that’s testament to using it regularly – and staying on top of the maintenance. With no heater or air-con you learn to adapt. In the summer, the full-width sunroof and windows are open all the way – it’s almost like having a convertible.

I fell in love with working on old cars doing work experience at Blue Diamond Riley Services. I wasn’t happy at university so asked MD John Lomas if I could work there full-time. He said yes and arranged a three-year apprenticeship at the Heritage Skills Academy.

I’ve learnt so much by doing all the work on Rachel myself. The engine and gearbox have had to come out and I’ve sorted the brakes. There was a load of play in the shackles and suspension, so it was very floaty and wobbly around corners – now it’s rock steady. There’s so much help and information out there, so don’t be scared of a car because it’s old. Enjoy it for what it is: you’ll never have fun if you’re constantly worried. They all have their own character, faults, imperfections and rattles, but that just makes them more interesting.