Darrin Alker loves how precisely his Lotus Esprit drives – so why on earth did he ask us to put him in a Ford Mustang for the day?
The Ford Mustang 289 we’ll be using today sits proudly outside Essex-based Affordable Classics. Proprietor Roger Chinery is busy showing me around his workshop, an eclectic shrine to all things Blue Oval, when another white car pulls up next to it and Classic Cars reader Darrin Alker steps out. His Pearlescent White Lotus Esprit Turbo is futuristic looking, hand built, turbocharged – everything the everyman, mass-produced Ford isn’t.
Intrigued, I immediately ask him why the Mustang is on his List. ‘The Lotus has always been my dream car and I’m lucky enough to have one in my garage,’ he explains. ‘I always seem to end up with four-cylinder turbocharged engines and although I’ve driven a few V8s – Jaguar XKR, V8 Esprit and a Range Rover Ambulance – I’ve never had the pleasure of owning one. American ones in particular have a lovely sound to them and when you combine that with the looks, that’s the reason it’s on my List.
Fair play, a nice concise explanation; time to get this North American show on the road. We climb aboard, fix our lap belts and Darrin’s eyebrows rise as he clocks the transmission tunnel.
‘Wow, a manual gearbox, I wasn’t expecting that. Americans don’t usually do stick shifts, I thought all their early cars were autos.’ It’s a dogleg box too, just to add another factor to the pot and ensure he’ll need to keep his wits about him. The small-block V8 fires with that definitive breathy thrum, he disengages the twist-release handbrake and we’re off.
This story is from the December 2017 edition of Classic Cars.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2017 edition of Classic Cars.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Willson's Smart Buy
Quentin on why an AC, a Mercedes, a Lamborghini and, yes, a BL-built Jaguar should all be on the canny buyer’s radar.
‘You Feel Like A Movie Star'
Darrin Alker loves how precisely his Lotus Esprit drives – so why on earth did he ask us to put him in a Ford Mustang for the day?
Problem Solved – Again
I reported a few months ago that the TR3 had finally recovered from its elusive sticky valve episode, caused by old fuel residue, and was running well. But as it turned out I spoke too soon. A glance underneath after a long run revealed oil drips, and when the clutch started slipping under hard acceleration shortly after that I blamed the front gearbox oil seal.
Jaguar XJR
Now’s the time to buy Jag’s supercharged four-door before they become expensive.
‘It's Like A Japanese Tardis'
Before buying an M635CSi, six-footer Steve Hough viewed several Datsun 240Zs, but never got to drive one. Today we put that right – and the first surprise is that there’s room inside to spare
Market Watch
Russ Smith not of rag-tops on the early MX-5 Triumph Herald convertible.
Cosmo-Politan
In a brave new era for the Japanese car industry, the Mazda Cosmo infused Euro-American styling with pioneering rotary power. Almost 50 years on, we take this rare UK example for a spin.
Alfetta GTV6 Has Room To Grow
The Giugiaro-penned fastback has risen sharply, but that’s not the end of the line.
Red Leader
It’s come a long way from its role as decorative PR attention seeker – this prototype Triumph went on to become a works competition car
