I’m sure we have all had a favourite car in our motoring lives. It might be our current unit, or maybe just fond memories of a favourite past vehicle. Well, I have four favourite cars. I call them ‘My Cars’, because they all hold special meaning for me.
My cars exist because of my family. I am the father of four daughters and as any father of girls inevitably discovers, their initial impression of you is of Superman standing. You are up there on a pedestal. Yet, as you also learn, sadly that status fades as you seek to guide and advise them down the track of life.
Back then when this change in daughterly attitudes started becoming apparent to me, I sought ways to improve things. To find ways to achieve more one-on-one time with each of them during their formative years, when so many other outside diversions were popping up.
So, what’s this got to do with ‘My Cars’, you ask.
Well, I hatched a cunning plan. I decided to collect a car for each of them, from their birth year.
That way, I figured, each daughter could spend some quality time with their father, while collecting 120 learn-to-drive hours, in their own ‘birth’ car. It would usually be on a Sunday and we would drive to a coffee destination, with the opportunity to discuss their life and concerns. Brilliant!
But what cars? Lots of thought had to be given to this challenging decision, as the girls spanned an interesting motoring era. 1985 to 1991.
Cars then were progressing from rear-wheel drive to front drive, fuel injection was replacing carbies, ‘proper’ sports cars were returning to popularity, there were more low-volume interesting cars, and the Australian car industry was developing export models.
All this together with the individual characteristics of the girls themselves! It did take some serious thought. Being used to simple Japanese engineering, I thought it best to generally stick to Japanese developed (or closely related) cars.
The brief for all the cars was to find the best standard (unmolested) specimen of the model. This was difficult, because at the time these cars were heading towards 20 years old – and we saw some shockers. Eventually though the ‘right’ cars appeared.
Daughter 1 – Genevieve Marie (Born 1985) Mazda RX-7
A traditional rear-wheel drive car of a sporty nature, it had a slight twist in the power supply and came with a choke. The model selected was a Series 3 RX-7 (the last of the original series, a fantastic looker) and powered by a rotary engine. But where to find one?
It took three months for a red RX-7 to appear on Carpoint, in Taylors Lakes about half an hour from us in Sunbury. A great original car, but unfortunately without books. The original owner, a Melbourne barrister, had suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease and during those years had disbursed many documents, one of them containing all the car’s relevant details.
Anyway, it was wonderful hearing its history from the family member tasked with selling it.
Daughter 2 – Loretta (Born 1986) Toyota MR-2
This was the most difficult … not the daughter but the car. I had selected a Toyota MR-2, a mid-engine, sleek, low sports car but as these ‘technically’ didn’t arrive in Australia through the dealer network until 1987 (it was released in Japan in late 1985) it was challenging to find a 1986 car.
Eventually I found it, a 1986 ‘grey import’ in Rockhampton, Queensland. But the asking price and drama associated with purchasing a car interstate caused a decision to be put on hold. Meantime, I kept an eye on the internet advertisement and every few months would call the bloke, have a chat, make an offer (which he inevitably rejected) and move on.
At last, he either got sick of me calling or no one else in Australia wanted a supercharged 1986 MR-2, so we came to a deal nine months after my initial inquiry!
Daughter 3 – Bridget Frances (Born 1989) Ford Capri
It gets a bit disjointed here, for out the window goes the Japanese car selection. For a few years before, the Australian car industry had been required by the Australian Government to investigate an export program.
Accordingly, GM-H sent cars to Saudi Arabia as Chevs and Ford started developing the Capri to be sold in Canada and the USA as a Mercury. The Capri, released in 1989, was basically a convertible Laser but looked good, especially with the roof down – and it was cheap!
We found Bridget’s red Carpi in Albert Park, Melbourne and bought from the original owner with all its books intact, including purchase receipts, and with only 105,000km on the clock. It is a joy to drive (as are all the cars) but for some reason, maybe because it was made here, it is that little bit special.
Daughter 4 – Therese Simone (Born 1991) Mazda MX-5
That leaves us with the obvious choice from among all the cars released in this era – a Mazda MX-5. This car has won more awards than most manufacturers can dream of, and even in its latest incarnation still attracts media attention.
The Series 1, which was also released in 1989, was simple with a moderate engine in the front driving the rear wheels. Beautiful! Our car came from One Mile Motors in Wangaratta, via Yarrawonga and via Blackburn, where it was originally purchased.
An honest car with books and original purchase receipts, it’s great fun to drive. We have used it in Albury-Wodonga MX-5 club runs, with a mate from Corowa who has a Series 2, and away on drive weekends.
All the cars are terrific, allowing us value-added time with the girls.
As with everything, time moves on and the private plates, each one bearing the relevant daughter’s initials, year of birth and birth ranking, have been transferred to their daily drives – and now the cars comply with the Historic/Classic Club Permit scheme.
These photos are from 16 years ago and the girls have since moved on to careers and families of their own.
The cars have been used for two weddings, but every now and then there is a request of “how about we get the cars out?”. We all endeavour to fit everyone in, including grandkids, and head to lunch … where Dad pays!
I have always maintained the cars belong to the girls and life commitments take priority over the need for them.
Therefore, it’s now time to start to move some of the cars on to new caretakers.
The Mazda RX-7 is for sale as it needs to finance part of a house renovation which is very important for Genevieve’s family and Loretta is moving to Western Australia with her husband and the Toyota MR-2 doesn’t figure in their new life.
Its been a wonderful period, having the cars and they have done their job, as all the girls are living wonderfully productive and for-filling lives. Job done!