55 years, no change

I thought it would be amusing to see how my first car and the one I drive now differ. For my 17th birthday, in 1965, my dear mother bought me a ‘well cared for’

1956 Wolseley 4/44 for £120. It had a four-cylinder 1250cc engine and developed 44bhp. It managed to attain 73mph before the onset of valve bounce and took a staggering 30 seconds to reach 60mph. Its power-to-weight ratio was about 40 bhp/ton and it returned 28mpg. Remember, for a moment, that it had none of the kit we now take for granted.

Today, my daily driver is a well cared-for 2006

Jaguar X350 that cost me £8000. It has a 4.2-litre V8 and develops 300bhp. Top speed is limited to 155mph and

0-60mph takes just 6.7 seconds. Power-weight ratio is about seven times the Wolseley’s, but it returns about the same mpg! So, for the same amount of fuel consumption and ‘relative outlay’, I have a gorgeous piece of automotive history that goes like a rocket and lacks virtually nothing in respect of useful tech and creature comforts, which is the right sort of change, indeed. I adore every moment in the driver’s seat and find it impossible to imagine how I would have felt, back in 1965, had this been my first car.

What will market offer us to compare with the Jag in another 55 years? Any thoughts?

Ray H. Ganderton, Harpenden, Herts