MIKE WELHAM'S CV reads like something by Ian Fleming. He joined the Royal Marines in 1963, specialised in canoeing, parachuting and combat diving, and went on to become a member of 21 SAS and Naval Gunfire Support 95 Commando RAR. Yet there's no sense of brag or bravado when you talk to him. He's good company, tells great stories and possesses the understated air of people who've been there, done that and quite probably blown up the T-shirt factory.
Given his background, I at least expected our interview to be in a darkened room somewhere and involve bright lights. In fact, we chatted with Mike sitting at his dining room table with some reassuringly normal flowery curtains behind him. It's all quite a contrast to his old day job that covered everything from mining enemy shipping to artillery spotting and beach reconnaissance, all of which depended on time, timing and his watch, as well as quite unnatural courage.
Bu hikaye Octane dergisinin August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Octane dergisinin August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Will China Change Everything? - China is tearing up modern motor manufacture but is yet to make more than a ripple in the classic car world. That could be about to change dramatically
China now dominates the automotive world in a way even Detroit in its heyday would have struggled to comprehend.Helped by Government incentives, the new car world is dominated by China's industries: whether full cars that undercut Western models by huge amounts, ownership of storied European brands such as Lotus and Volvo, or ownership and access to the vast majority of raw materials that go into EV cars, its influence is far-reaching and deep. However, this automotive enlightenment hasn't manifested itself in the classic world in any meaningful way - until now.
Jem Marsh
The hard-bitten Marcos boss was driven like few others and never knew when he was beaten. Thankfully
Vandamm House
A Mid-Century Modernist masterpiece that was immortalised on celluloid - despite never actually existing
Making light
Alfa Romeo's post-war renaissance began with the 1900 saloon - and matured with Zagato's featherweight coupé version, as Jay Harvey discovers
FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE
Is burgeoning classic car interest in the Middle East good for the global classic market? Nathan Chadwick investigates
Before the beginning
This rare Amazon Green pre-production Range Rover is Velar chassis number 4. James Elliott charts its historically revealing factory restoration
Ben Cussons
As the outgoing chairman of the Royal Automobile Club hands on to his successor, Robert Coucher quizzes him about the evolution of this great British institution
BULLDOG & THE PUPPIES
We gather five motoring masterpieces by avant-garde designer William Towns - and drive all of them
Below the tip of the Audrain iceberg
As the Audrain organisation grows, we take a look behind the scenes at the huge car collection that feeds it
Flying the Scottish flag
Young Ecurie Ecosse driver Chloe Grant gets to grips with the Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-type at Goodwood. Matthew Hayward is Octane's witness
