‘The Goodwood Revival changed the way I think about my classic’

Patrick Russell, Oxfordshire. 1936 Austin 10/4 Sherborne

Classic cars have a very important part to play historically and educationally. However, that doesn’t mean to say that they shouldn’t be great fun, too, both for the owners and everyone in general. So, the latter is what I try to do with my 10/4.

I was invited many years ago to be part of a display of vintage vehicles at the Goodwood Revival and we were asked to wear appropriate period clothing in keeping with our vehicles. I had never done this sort of thing before and admit that I felt a bit self-conscious about it. I have mostly dressed in suitable attire when exhibiting my classic ever since.

Then I started to realise that

I could go a little further and put some period artefacts inside the vehicle so I decided to recreate a period taxi; making the taxi sign was very easy. My Austin has always attracted a lot of attention,but in taxi guise the effect on onlookers was amazing. People were pointing and waving and I was getting toots and thumbs-up from other drivers. Since placing artefacts inside the car I have noticed a big difference at the few shows I have been able to go to due to COVID restrictions. Whereas before people would look at the outside of the car, take a few pictures and then sneak a quick peek inside before heading off somewhere else, now they start discussing the artefacts, resulting in all sorts of comments and questions – not to mention a few photographs. I am only a few weeks off my 81st birthday, so go on – go for it and have a go. It’s never too late to try something new!